The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1903-02-13
Enacted in Judge Jackson's Court
over "ADesperate Chance.
problem Too Knotty Tor Judge and
Referee in Bankruptcy Gets 1t.
Must Decide whether It is moral or
Immoral.

The second and third acts of "a
Desperate Chance were enacted here
today at U. S. court, says yesterdays
Parkersburg Sentinel.
"A Desperate Chance" is an ex-
ploitation Of the escape Of the Biddle
Brothers, murderers, from the peni-
Tertiary at Pittsburg, through the
connivance and with the assistance
of Mrs. SofTel, the wife of the warden,
and of their subsequent killing by
the officers. While there is really
nothing immoral about the play.
there is very little dramatic worth
about IL, as 1t is built ON exceedingly
sensational lines.
The owners OF the play, anticipat-
ing opposition, have an attorney with
each Of the companies ON the road.
There has been some opposition TO
the play Mt various places, but gener-
ally there is n large crowd present.
The play was produced here this
season, and there have been some
plays here that were worse than "A
Desperate Chance. .
1t was at Clarksburg when the
public censor concluded that the play
was unit tor the public and steps
were taken to prevent the production,
which was advertised for Tuesday
evening. Council, as last resort, re-
voked the license of the opera house
and thus headed of the show. At
torney Even made a fight but the
fates were against them and the COM
pany did not play. Wednesday the
council again granted license to the
opera house and another company ap-
peared there Wednesday night.
1t was intimated Tuesday that
Fairmont would take similar action
against the production Of the play as
was taken by Clarksburg, and Attor-
ney Even. securing the services OF At
torney w. Scott, of Clarksburg, con-
Guided to forestall the Fairmont au-
thorities. They came here and OBJ
tanned a temporary Injunction from
Judge jackson ut u. s. Court, inhib-
iting and restraining the Fairmont
authorities from Interfering with the
presentation uf the play, and was put
on at Fairmont Wednesday night A
restraining order was also obtained
against Clarkshurg, as it is the intcn-
tion Of the aompany to return there in
October. Both cases were set down
for hearing today at 10 o'clock before
Judge Jackson.
Attorneys Even and scott and
Mayor L. c. crile o. Clarksburg came
here Wednesday evening. In dis
csissins the ciarksburg affair the Ut
torneys FOR the company stated that
il they are sustained by Judge Jack
s,n, it was the intention OF the COM
pany TO institute suit against the city
OF cIarksburg for 5000 damages.
All the parties appeared before
Judge jackson this morning and ar
gued the matter. Judge Jackson
said he had been called sp over the
long distance telephone Wednesday
by members OF the Fairmont opera
house company, and the statement
was made that there was no oppo-
sition 10 the presentation u the play.
The attorneys for the plaintiff
stated thar they desired some action
taken for the reason that they had
FOUR companies on The road 4, hcavy
expense and ,he same question nigh.
be raised. Tacy submitted several
aniia,irS. but - they were ex-n.rte
me Court did not take them @ader
: eSIesat!pu.
la'ise Jackson finally announced
tliai he ~ou.G .eier the whole matter
70 special Commissioner Geo. w
Johnson. . ascertain II the play WAS
immoral Or Objectionable. or u such
u c .aracter that common council
would have the right TO interfere,
aud TO report at sutrrc day Of the
court.
The attorneys for the plaintiff sui
mitted the play for the supervision
Of the commissioner and will furnish
other evidence when the mntrer