New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-15
STORM OVER THEATRE.
ROSENFELD THE CENTRE
Members Of National Dirt Theatre
Society against officers attitude.

Since Sydney Rosenfeld, who was one of the
most active workers IN the National Art The
stre Society, resigned as secretary OF that or
ganizat.on at the first Of the year to take up
his new Century Theatre Company project there
has been a state OF armed neutrality between
him and the officers OF the Art Theatre Society.
This condition Of neutrality was broken yester-
day by the publication Of an editorial in the
monthly bulletin OF the society, double loaded
and further emphasized by black side ruling and
large type. The editorial. set of by a large
head. Is appended:
sydpey Rosenfeld has ceased TO be an officer
Of the National Art Theatre Society.
James S Metcalfe has been elected correspond
The officers q the National Art Theatre Society
and has absolutely connection with the Century
Theatre Company: Of witch Sydney Resented
scTiPToIis sos b,e Ply OF MI
Society n no way stands sponsor.
The society wishes TO warn its members against
prise The ofloeTs OF the society are giving their
services gratuitously to one purpose only, the pur-
q the building and endowment Of national the
terests to grind TO ones
Mr. Rosenfeld was greatly surprised and not
little hurt when he read the editorial He had
not seen it until Tribune reporter called IL to
his notice. He read it. smiled rather quizzical
smile and said:
When Il shall be made necessary for me to ar
ragn those whom consider personally responsible
The society, / do not think shall have any diri-
% II f SS a9 fee ef Sha 4b a+ci such
have shown me. refuse TO accept II being in
OF the members of the National Art Theatre
Society. In point Of fact, shall very speedily ar
deliver nv address ct the saT S Theatre T ne1
snday sTen nat offSre desf yeTy men and women
FOR so many months served land trust faithfully
IN the capacity Of secretary.
From close friend Of Mr. Resented came a
declaration which attributed the whole action
10 jealousy not the part Of the society, but
on the part OF some OF its most exalted members.
They have been trying for months" he said,
"to raise the money for their theatre Along
comes Mr.. Rosenfeld. reduces their scheme to
practicability. raises his money and gets his
theatre and company while they as far from
their goal ever. They get sore. and try to
attack him"
The officers of the society do not take that
ground however Joseph I. C. Clarke. the presi-
Dent, said that the editorial fully expressed the
sentiments of the official board. but was de-
Signed only 10 make clear TO the society members
and others concerned that MT. Rosenfeld's
theatre was not part of the Art Theatre So
ciety's work.
I've had hundreds of letters asking me about
the Century Theatre Company" he said. THE
people have it confused with plans and
want 70 know if it is under our direction
part OF our scheme. They know that Resented
was our secretary and the active part he has
taken In our work, they naturally associate
the two There is trouble between the So
ciety and Mr. Rosenfeid- He Is at perfect lib
erty, as are any of our members to start a
theatre, but we don't want the public TO get the
idea that the Art Theatre Society is back Of f."
James 5. Metcalfe. the new secretary, said
that the editorial spoke for itself" He admit
teo that there was plenty Of space between the
1lnes-Lterally, but more particularly fgurative-
~. The society, he said, standing pat"
and hadn't anything more TO say. The public
would have TO draw its own conclusions.
There is likely 10 be a storm among the men, |
bers Of the Art Theatre Society, however over |
host of friends among them. Mrs. Bdith Ellis !
Baker, chairman of the propaganda committee. |
declared that the editorial should not be taken |
as representing the spirit of the society.
The National Art Theatre Society,"" said she |
is great, broad proposition, too broad for |
any such narrow pettiness this. This thea
tire Of Mr. Rosenfeld's is a great tangible step |
toward the realization Of the Art Theatre. 1t is |
an outgrowth of all his work for the society |
future work of the society. Why, we'd looked |
Forward TO that theatre a home for our af- |
1alrs ana meetings-a home where the spirit /
wouldn't be foreign 10 our whole undertaking 1
Now comes this. Let me make il plain, though 1
as e member Of the Art Theatre Society and as |
an officer serving large committee, that |
This editorial doesn't represent the feelings of
might say our leader; he and his wife worked |
Tor months and months for our plan. We're not /
going TO turn him down in this fashion"