New-York tribune., 1907-11-19
CROWD At THE OPERA.
House Packed, Despite Rain and
Other Attractions.

Despite the counter attractions OF the Horse
Show at Madison Square Garden and Oscar Ham
merstein's production of grand opera at the Man
haitian Opera House the Metropolitan opera
Iouse waE crowded 10 its doors when it opened
for the season last night. Not even the heavy ana
steady downpour OF rain was able to mar the sue
cess of the opening.
Long before o'clock the house was completely
sold out and ticket spectators were ceiling sea'S
al 500 a pair. There such a big demand lot
standing room that at 746 o'clock, by orders OF te
police the box Office refused 20 sell any more ao-
mission tickets.
Most of the boxes were filled by their regular
occupants some OF the latter coming In their car
riages direct from the Horse Show. The carriages
and automobiles began TO arrive at ''''' anu Wy
S:l5 according 10 Inspector SchmittDergeF' "''o
was in charge of the detail OF tratnc poilceILe.i,
eight hundred and fifty Vehicles hau uIi'eh up -
the three entrances.
The work of the police in regulating trainc was
excellent. No carriages were allowed 10 u!lNe UP
10 the Broadway entrance or 70 lnger In Broadway
They we're compelled 10 drive up in line to the 39'h
street and 4Oth street entrances. and having given
ny, their occupants to drive west of Seventh avenue
and walt in the side streets there until the cloS "a
the opera. This prevented any congesuoh ana Gun
fusion such as used TO mark an opera night oelore
this scheme was devised
The scheme did not work so well. however at the
close Of the opera Some difficulty was experienced
in getting the right carriages for the right people
and IL took nearly three-quarters of an hour TO MI
waiting vehicles. InlSI according 10 1lSpcC-
tor Schr1itberger was due 10 the fact that the car
riage owners gathered In the doorways did not give
nroper heed when the numbers of their carriages
were called Inspector Schmitjberger says he In
tends to request Director Conried to install an cleo
tric device in the 39th street ana 40th street en-
frances by which the number of the carriage walt
ing outside will be flashed in electric lights inside
the lobby.
A clash occurred between Inspector Schmttberger
and the ticket spectators, who, when the opera
house mana cement announced that no more stand
ees' could be admitted, became desperate and In
their anxiety TO dispose OF their unsold admission
tickets almost tore the clothing from passershy
score of them tackled Schmittberger who was not
in uniform, and almost swept him of the sidewalk
IN their agerness TO sell him tickets.
you fellows had better stop that cried the in
spector angrily. you've got right to bother
people in this disgraceful fashion. I've a good
mind to arrest every Of you even IL you have
got badges and licenses I'm going to keep you
fellows In order and make you behave yourselves"
He ordered Lieutenant Mason to watch these men
for the rest OF the night and to arrest who
laid hands passerby.
Heinrich Conried occupied a box during the per-
forrnance and between the acts many persons came
IN congratulate him the recovery Of his health
Last ason he broke down and had TO abroad TO
recuperate and last night his first appearance
at the opera house for many months. He seemed
TO be in perfect health