The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-04-21
MRS. CARTER WAS
STAR ATTRACTION
IN CASE OF BELAsco VS.. kLAW
G. ERLANGER.
Her Costume Was Stunning and Her
Manner Imperious--Said Nixon
Used a Bad Word.

carter was the star attTaCtlOn lnlS III
ternoon at the continuation of the
trial of suits brought by David Belas-
co against Joseph Brooks and Klaw &c
Erlanger for an accounting of the re-
ceipts from the Warfield play THE
Auctioneer."
In a costume of latest fashion out
of black and white checked silk, with
fluffy lace under-sleeves, white kid
gloves and great white chiffon hat
on her golden crown, mrs. Carter
went Immediately to the witness stand
after entering the room.
IL am an actress" she shouted i'm
periously to Mr.. Untermeyer's first
question.
Il have known Mr.. Belasco ever
since | have been acting. My full
is Caroline w. Carter.
Mrs. Carter was present at meet
ing between Belasco and Nixon &
Zimmerman at their Philadelphia
theatre and her testimony corrobor-
ated that of David Belasco given
at that meeting.
"Mr. Belasco told Mr.. Nixon he had
been compelled to give Erlanger so
per cent of the Warfield profits. Why
said Mr.. Nixon, L did not know thatn
and Mr.. Nixon declared that the time
would come when he could bring Err
LANCER to terms for his double deal
ing"
Mrs. Carter said she knew Joseph
Brooks, but that his name was not
mentioned in that Philadelphia talk
Keep away from the theatre,
Mrs. Carter declared Mr.. Nixon said
to Mr.. Belasco. 4 want to get 'zaza'
opened and they are trying to serve
papers on me-
He used bad word, too," added
Mrs. Carter with a regular "Adrea"
shrug and smile. "Mr. Nixon said
there would be hell to pay" said she,
and there was all kinds of business"
Col. Gruber tried to impeach Mrs
Carter's testimony by showing that
she had talked with Belasco, Nathan
Vidaver and others before coming to
court.
Mrs. Carter said "Oh, yes, | have
talked about it frequently ever since
for 1t was strongly on my mind. They
laid out route like a pendulum for
me, and l shall not soon forget"
Asked by Mr. Gruber If she saw
anything about the so-called "ty-
ranny of the trust" she gave Colonel
Gruber apparently more than he bar
gained for. She said she and her COM
pany had been denied entrance to
theatres they had engaged and that
Mr.. Belasco had to spend $4,000 re-
modelling a hall in Washington into
a theatre.
Marc Klaw, senior member Of the
defendant theatrical firm, but carry
ing minor part in the fight with
Belasco was the first witness of the
day.
Like Abraham Lincoln Erlanger, he
denied Belasco's story about a pre-
Hminary conversation at the Man
ayers club. in 1900, when, according to
Bclasco he was given to understand
he would have to divide. his profits
With Klaw & Erlanger or be crushed
by the theatrical syndicate or trust.
Mr.. Untermeyer began cross-exam-
ming Klaw with questions about a
check for $35 paid to Mitchell L. Err
langer-brother of his partner and
row sheriff, but at that time attor-
ney for Klaw & Erlanger-for drawing
the partnership contract
A. l.. Erlanger and Joseph Brooks
both testified that Brooks, who claims
to have been the real party of the
second part" in that partnership, drew
and paid that check to NJ l.. Erlanger,
but Mr.. Klaw answered that he did not
know whose check 1t was.
Colonel Gruber rested in both suits.
and Mr.. Untermeyer called Herman F.
Ahrens, book-keeper for Klaw g. Err
LANCER, in rebuttal.
Ahrens said Mr.. Livingston kept
the check books. "Never see them
declared the witness. every morn
ing he makes up list for the check
books ON a blotter and hands 1t in to
me-"
This book showed that in June 1902,
Brooks was paid about $4,000 balance
Tor the season, but when Mr.. Inter
meyer sought for information about
what Brooks did with the money,
Colonel Gruber said smilingly, "Mr.
Brooks is on the sea-"
Eyes, know; he sailed after we had
6ubpoenaed him to produce his check
book" said Mr.. Untermeyer wearily.
Mr.. Untermeyer insists Brooks ney-
er got $4,000 that year.