The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-05
MADOO PUTS CURB ON HOPPER
SHUT-UP ORDER FOR WEST END
THEATRE REVOKED.

Roasis building OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
ray HIll Manager MAY start suit.
Isaac 4. Hopper. Superintendent Of
buildings who had the police close up the
Murray Hill Theatre on Monday night
because he didn't think the scenery for
CAPTAIN harrington" was properly fire.
proofed, and then disappeared, tried his
hand at the same game again yesterday
afternoon. He wrote to Police Commits
sioner McAdoo and asked him to close the
West End Theatre for the same reason.
In his letter he said:
An inspection OF the West End Thea ire
shows that the scenery at that theatre Is not
freproofcd 20 meet the requirements Of law.
would request you. therefore. 70 close this
theatre until the scenery has been properly
freproofed
am informed by the MANAGEMENT that
they are now making the scenery hreproof
and expect TO have 1t ready before the house
opcus this evening. Inspector Blaokledge
NJ this bureau will test the scenery again
la,o this afternoon and will inform your
cHlce whether the requirements Of the law
have been complied with or not.
Commissioner McAdoo, having In mind
the mix-up the night before over closing
the Murray Hill Theatre, called Mr.. Hopper
on the telephone before issuing orders
~ close the theatre He asked that Mr..
Hopper, Inspector Blackledge and Man
agcr George Bumenthal OF the theatre
60 down to Police Headquarters and talk
things over.
Mr. Hopper replied by calling his request
OF He had heard from the inspec tor,
he said, that the scenery had been made
frerpOof and that there was no need 20
H.. 81
Mr. Ppp, a temperance drama, Is playing
Of the West End this week
Supt Hopper had an uncomfortable
quarter Of an hour yesterday with Henri
Gressitt. manager Of William Bramwell,
whose show, Captain Darlington was
choked on on Monday night at the Murray
Hill Theatre on the ground that the scenery
had not been ireproofed Inspector
Blackledge, it seems, called at the theatre
at O'Clock in the afternoon and notified
the business manager, Mr.. Proctor, that
nctw outstanding the fact that the scenery
had already been freproofed and had been
used hy the company for thirty-two weeks
on the road and three times in New York,
It would have TO he done over again. He
gave Mr.. Proctor, however until yesterday
to do the job, not wishing apparently to
interfere with the opening performance.
Instead Of taking advantage Of this re-
spite the management Of the company
Immediately engaged an expert and twenty
five men and the scene ry was freproofed
before 30 on Monday evening In the
meantime the police had been notified
not to le' the Murray Hill Theatre open, and
s. Hopper could not be found the closing
order stood and the show could not be given
rn1uEn I a the HlgaNnpUf rpaDt Of "A up OvvH
who had bought tickets.
Slpt Hopper told Mr. Gressit that he
was sorry a mistake had been made and
that he would see 10 it that il was not re-
peated in the future. He said that there
was no reason why the performance should
not have been given IL the scenery had been
freprooted. His excuse for the blunder
was that he had but one man TO inspect
scenery in the entire borough.
Captain harrington was given last
night before a packed house and there was
no attempt on the part Of the Building
Bureau 70 interrupt the performance.
Al the end Of the third act Mr. Bramwell
was called before the curtain again and
again and finally he made a speech in the
course Of which he handedsup a few hot
ones TO Mr.. Hopper. He said in part:
Only those who have been placed in a
similar position could possibly appreciate
the gratitude | feel tonight in being well
coined by such host Of friends. especially
after your disappointment last night,
unused by stupidity, or intent TO damage
Mana ger Gressitts business.
You have doubtless read in the press
OF to-day what gross injustice was done
us, so / will not repeat more than to show
where the blame rests.
The scenery was freproofed over YES
terday and was ready 10 use at O'Clock
last night, but this man Hopper who, |
understand, hopes TO he Mayor. hid himsef
50 as not 70 he able 10 revoke his order.
Hopper is after political capital and thought
that for closing a theatre the press would
laud him 10 the skies Well. he made mis-
take and Manager Gressi.t made him &C
knowledge it to-day in his Office in the pres
encp Of Witnesses.
i am not politician, but want TO say
that the action Of this man Hopper IL a
disgrace 10 this great city where claim
my home Hopper claims he only has
one inspector and he cannot inspect all
Productions. What protection have you?
Why doesn't this man Hopper take SUI
hCient interest in his work TO do a little
insI Getting himself? He told Gressitt he
vas az the club last night when Gressitt
had ten men looking for him. II Hopper
took the responsibility Of mountaineering
you by closing the theatre, why didn't
he do tie manly thing and come up here
and attend 10 his business instead Of SPEND
ing his time at the club? | suppose he is
well paid for his work
Well this matter will lie settled In the
courts. as Manager Gressitt will file suit
tomorrow
i am pleased 70 see by your large attend
snco that this attempt 10 produce a fire
scare Nv Homer en- such false grounds