The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-02-25
METCALFE IN THE LIONS DEN
Boards THE Doughty OSCAR
AND-NOTHING HAPPENS.

the Wammerst elnian Kicking. II seems,
Was Bclng saved for jerome, VINO
Wasn't There-"IIfc's" Critic Sniilng'
Passes Into the Victoria and All Is Peace.
james S Metcalfe of Life bearded Oscar
Hammerstein in the Victoria Theatre last
night and lives 10 tell the tale. Oscar
has made so many threats against Metcalfe
recently that some Of the writer's friends
began to fear for his safety If he ever dared
enter a Hammerstein theatre, Only few
DAYS ago, at the police court hearing OF
the Metcafe conspiracy charge against the
theatrical managers, Hammerstein init
mated that he would be glad TO let Metcalfe
in his theatre so that he might have the
pleasure of kicking him out.
Well Metcalfe let IL be known last night
that he was going to the Victoria Theatre
especially to be punched He was following
the advice OF his lawyers He took with
him r. V Woodward a legal friend. The
pair arrived at the theatre about o o'clock.
Anticipating mighty rowl a dozen war
correspondents. hot from shooting ARRAY
in Chinatown. awaited the arrival Of Met
cafe and his friend. Hammentein stood
in the lobby of his playhouse talking with
a friend. When a pass fiend approached,
Oscar greeted him kindly. got the man
seats and escorted him into the theatre.
Just then Metcalfe and his friend entered
the lobby from the street entrance.
Metcalfe went to the box Office, asked
for two box seats. paid for them and went
into the theatre. Hammerstein was stand
ing lust inside the door Metcalfe and his
friend were laughing. The writer brushed
right by the theatrical manager. Ham,
merstein looked him in the eye and Metcalfe
returned the gaze The war correspond
ents drew pads and pencils and waited for
the fray to begin.
Nothing happened. Hammerstein stroked
his beard little more nervously than usual.
Metcalfe and his friend were shown to
their seats.
But even then the correspondents didn't
despair. They expected the doughty Oscar
TO rise up and smite some one. But he
made no attempt to smite.
Metcalfe and his friend remained to see
half an hour OF the vaudeville show. Then
they departed as peaoeably as they ar
rived Hammerstein saw them CO.
We'll. why didn't you make your bluff
good?- one Of the correspondents asked
Hammersten.
That fellow il sneak, said the manager.
.He's sneak He comes in when my back
Is turned and | don't see him till he gets in
among the audience. couldn't disturb my
audience. As long az be got in he saw a
good show, anyway.
But you threatened TO kick him out.
said another questioner.
I'D do it, too, was the reply. He
took me unawares He wasn't the man /
expected to kick tonight | was after
that fellow Jerome. He's the one was
waiting for. II he comes here he'll go out
will he be propelled out3" was asked.
YES, and I'll do it. said Hammerstein.
Il heard tonight that he Was coming and
l was ready for him Jeromes a skunk.
Any man has the right TO throw a skunk
out Of his theatre"
Mr. Hammerstein's antipathy to District
Attorney jerome is due TO a recent state
ment which Mr.. jerome made concerning
the safety Of the Lew Fields Theatre, which
Hammerstein built.