The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-04
METCALPE AUTHORS READING
RELIEF TO POOL AFTER DAY OF
ORDINARY CRIMINALS.
Harmless" Extracts From LIFE" Court
says, Don't Help Theatre Men-Seance
on Conspiracy Charges at Jefferson
Market Begulle the Weary Hours


on Conspiracy Charges At Jefferson
Market Begulle the Weary Hours
Only tea and the ladies were needed t.
make a complete success OF the selec
authors reading which James S. Metcalf,
OF Life gave in the north drawing room
ut Jefferson Market police court yesterday
The affair began as an adjourned hearing
OF the conspiracy case OF Metcalfe against
Klaw and others, members Of the Theatrical
! Managers Association, who were charged
I with conspiring to keep Mr.. Metcalfe out
| OF their playhouses. Magistrate Pool re-
I ferred to Mr.. Metcalfe as n ~critique;
one Of the lawyers declared that he was not
all OF Life; he was however, about all OF
yesterdays entertainment,
Magistrate Pool WAS host. He was
assisted in receiving by his stenographer.
Dan Frohman was the first OF his guests TO
be introduced. He told in as few words
as possible OF the meeting Of the theatre
managers on Jan. II, when he was elected
president.
After the meeting said Mr., Frohman.
'either Mr.. Kraus or Mr. Hammerstein
said something about keeping out Mr.
Metcalfe, or q critic whom we all under
stood TO be Mr.. Metcalfe. We passed on
the suggestion by rising. Later | in
strlcted my doorkeeper not to admit him.
On the heels Of Mr.. Frohman came the
robustious All Hayman. DE introduced
himself thus;
Il am a so-called theatrical manager.
] am 30 called. although 1 have various
other duties
In answer to questions Mr.. Hayman said
he had kept Mr.. Metoalfe out Of his theatre.
He corrected one answer with the aid Of
his lawyer, because. as the lawyer ex-
planned, Mr. Hayman was not quite sure
whether the word subsequent meant
before" or after
Wilbur NJ. Bates. representative OF Klsw
4 Erlanger said Mr.. Klaw had told him to
keep out Mr.. Metcalfe without hurting his
feelings il possible.
The shadows were falling on the bald
heads of the guests. An ununformed atten-
dant lighted three gas jets as Mr.. Metcalfe
took his seat before the host Of the occasion
and in few Introductory remarks con-
fessed that he had been - dramatic editor
and critic since 1886 He said the bulk of
bis income was derived from his work on
Life.
DO you know Klaw and Erlanger?' he
was asked
Il do by sight. but have had no close
personal relations with them.' was the !
reply.
dramatic critic for the lawyers. He said:
1t is 10 inform the public about plays.
He declared that he had done this TO the |
best OF his ability.
DO you think il proper TO crticise n
play unfavorably if produced
by man against whom the critic enter
iains personal objections9" asked Lawyer
Aarons for the defence.
Mr.. Krotel carped at such questions as
too Johnsonan.'
Have you "a a critic been able to keep
INT OF sight your preiudices against any
was the next question
i think have said Mr. Metcalfe.
He also affirmed that the religious faith
# manager had nothing TO do with the
merits Of the plays he produced.
Magistrate Pool said the articles in Ques-
ion were irrelevant in a criminal pro-
'eeding. but since the District Attorney
hadn't objected when the matter was first
they must be admitted now.
When Mr. krotel betrayed little surprise
he Magistrate forgot his drawing room
manner and yelled at the top OF his voice:
1t shall go in
Then he said I'VE will adjourn this case
III the counsel are in better condition.
After that Mr.. Metcalfe went on. Then
he authors reading began. A lawyer
landed copy of Life to the critic and after
little polite hesitation and the remark,
The light is rather bad. your Honor
IL settled down 70 the serious exposition
f Metcalfe on Shakespeare.
III the other articles contain no more
ban this, there is nothing TO help the de-
en- dants' said the Magistrate.
As his guests filed out, Magistrate Pool
ade them farewell and waved aside their {
poogies. They had stayed nearly three ,
ours. I
"You did not weary me he said 7 was
'eary before began It has tean de- {
ghtful relief and change after the tedious {
lbors Of my day in court with ordinary I
riminnlsH :