New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-14

Charles L. Barney Tells of Ideals of
Founders.

Charles T. Barney, of the founders OF the
newly conceived art theatre for New-York. yester-
day set forth considerable length the plans aims
and ideals OF the men behind the venture.
In his statement Mr.. Barney again affirmed that
no manager had yet been selected for the theatre.
and that it would not be called The National
Theatre" He also reafirmed that operetta would
be sandwiched with drama in the scheme. ana
made It plain that all profits would go into an
endowment fund TO support the house, and also
school OF acting. Mr.. Barney said:
To begin with. 1 should like TO make it plain that
ours is a new and Independent movement. ana
connection with the scheme which was described
a few months ago. also wish to make it plain
that our plan Is not launched in the interest or or
identified with any one man. No one has as yet
purpose to choose the best available man. and
whoever ne Is he will be subject TO the acIi'e IL
1t is not our intention to call the new playhouse
fh N9ni T9eae as this his would bdn seen f 10 It
national theatre in the sense that it VIII De the
the performances and the spirit of the admins
tration, to place it in the same relation toward
is held by the principal national theatres OF Eu-
a9c b pc c w P9 pr tb CIasscaI rener
tory and of modern plays of genuine merit IN
1t win be run for the sake of art only and in
any way for the sake OF profit, and its mission will
be 10 foster and stimulate art and to exercise that
refining influence which makes the stage. If prop
none in effectiveness IncidentaIiy it will AFFORD
70 this city much needed home for the proper
of acknowledged musical merit1the kind Of operas
g the performance of which the Opera Comique in
6H tSe a}ga Is 0gTa s House louise is made impossible
a week viz on tuesday and Thursday evenings.
This combination az high class theatre and opera
comiQue seems s. 1eWhat homogeneous at first
glance. but there Is ;ealIy no reason why these
the same stage In many important, , and repre-
and even grand operas, are performed on the same
stage on different evenings of the week How
when speaking of light opera. l need hardly say
that do not refer to anything even remotely akin
Broadway-are to a certain extent a means to an
Contribute toward prevffng the income Which we
require to enable the theatre to fulfil its real pur
the house convince us that it will not only be easily
selfsustanng. but distinctly profitable but all net
profits Will be turned back into the treasury OF the
theatre for the creation Of an endowment fund.
similar uses in keeping with the altruistic pur-
acter which we contemplate can fulfil its mission
only II 1t is endowed and that an appeal should
York TO provide an endowment fund, OF course,
nateIy such a scheme in this country must. for the
present at least, be considered utopian. 1t has
England and has been striven and struggled for
consistently by many earnest and enthusiastic
devotees OF dramatic art, but always with the
negative result, Experience has shown that the
Gay way to start to i on p pn e fa &
ing. and then to turn all net earnings back into the
late an endowment which will enable it to be indie
pendent Of temporary tendencies and circumstances
and to adhere TO one standard only-the standard
of art.
1t has been said that we are. in matters dra-
matte. inartistic people. and that it is waste
Of effort to endeavor to accomplish what We hope
10 accomplish by the creation of the new theatre.
We do not believe that this is an lnartlsuc coun,,
try; we believe, on the contrary, that every kind
of talent is latent in the people, and all that Is re-
qured Is opportunity. We believe that the n
dramatic art and the awakening OF national dra-
matte literature. What is needed is the establish
ment of a standard for comparisons The American
people quick TO grasp and learn; once they are
fed with the second best.
The administering the affairs Of the theatre
Will be whole hearted in their allegiance to It's mis-
sion; they will actuated by enthusiasm for art
taste. They will resolutey their faces against
policy not having for Its sole aim the original
VIZ, TO strive toward making the stage a edu-
cational force and artistic influence in American
life, toward helping to establish Lruer conception
and appreciation of dramatic art and literature,
in the midst of the strenuous life in New-York the
serene atmosphere and refining influence of art
We trust this plan Will be recognized hon
est attempt giving every promise of fulhlment, to
realize what in the past has been the aim Of so
many earnest and unsefsh endeavoTs. We believe
that entitled TO receive, and have good
reason to expect. the cordial support Of all who,
Ike ourselves. desire 10 advance the cause Of
drama in this country.
The names Of the founders. with several yet TO
be heard from,
BaylteS August Belmont Paul D. Cravath. Will
lam B. Osgood Field, George ]. Gould Eliot
Gregory, James H. Hyde, Otto H. Kahn James
Henry Smith. James stillman. Robert B. Van Cort-
throp.