New-York tribune., 1908-12-14
OSCARS FIRST LICKING
HammerStein Tells Fr1arS about HIS
EarIY Musical Career.

Oscar Hamnerstein had night of And what a
night it was, He emerged from his monastic sOli-
tude behind the scenes of the Manhattan Opera
House and heard his praises sung and spoken by
The Friars. prominent in theatrical enter
prises and a representative of the city government
And no monk forcibly drawn from his cell could
affect more surprise than %. H did last night
when he viewed several hundred men, among them
leading theatrical managers ard justices Of the
Supreme Court gathered at the Hotel Astor 70
unite with The Friars in honoring him
When a lot of pleasant run had been poksd at
Nj Hammerstein, when his career an inventor
OF cigarmaktng machines. architect and as a
king OF the vaudeville stage had been reviewed he
arise quietly, and IN a speech remarkable for its
modesty made known the real Oscar Ha1anersteln
He said;
7 didn't know until yesterday that was to be
been asking nyself-why? Sadness and dissatis-
faction with myself peculiar traits in my char
meant. When I achieved something. when the re-
suits are those that pictured in the Deglnnlng'
still experiencing sadness and dlssaJ JlsIactlon
It may, seem, strange to you that I should say
here tonight that. simple as 1 am IN al NY DO
ings and though / have aeconlpished some things
worth While, cannot understand the occasion OF
this honor 7 cannot fnd cause for it. have
felt within myself that I had ability TO accom-
psh the things that we're in my mind, No man man
and he must know that he has. then act
been with me since 1 was a boy AIy mother
thought was to De a great Hutist' so she hred
mean Well. I tried the flute and the futer One
- Ii-!f S - a, 20 ] nc 20 "a
vas haH way OUT OF bed He got all the way out
when l began to hute; and in his night clothes
so H0TneWsrd I var % T R farEe1 f % sy " iig1 me an an
awful licking, and never again did 1 aspire TO be
But I determined revenge, and revenge
On the mustc-loving people. l always loved music.
7 studied II, studied harmony and all the essen
Dresario in other words. what the results are
G D9Bd the Esa fs55P Be6Pe m the @ Asran
people have love of music thar no other coun-
and with feeling of pride without any con.
anything pertaining tc self and I say it in all
humility. I have been able 70 be invited by YOU
that YOU might show your respect for ne. If not
Had acquired millions in other pursuits could
me now
Then Mr. Hammerstein revealed himself as he
wishes to be known, when he continued:
0T I6 yseif iL Why? Because Wien man under-
takes what am now T carrying our ne must not os
the world I have great and glorious object 10
70 DO what I am doing requires a mind tree from
an other occupaJl4ns. ana SO ! nate pUo1city.
because Of my wish for solitude that I hesitated
own box the Manhattan I never appear in the
-3eatre ProIeF- 9a4 pace Is 9Tnlnd tle scenes
70 the kindly relations that exist between me and
me. gentlemen good fellow,
President MCGOWAN OF the Board Cf Aldermen
followed M. Hammerstein- He said some kind
things of him. among others that the city of New
York had reason 70 De proud or Oscar Hammer
stein and proud of him He has done more
for innocent amusement IN this town." Mr. Nc
Cowan said. than any man I know He has
added to the greatness Of this great city and
brought over here for amusement artists OF
worldwide repute.'
Charles Emerson Cook. abbot of The Friars
toastuaster. Rennold WOLF. agent. and among
those gathered about the tables were Victor Her
bert Al" Hayman, Daniel Frohman Walter Dam
rosch and Charles BUrnham. Gus Edwards
wrote a song for the occasion. and the special
favor distributed &c the guests facsimile
Of the tile" by which Oscar Hammerstein is dis
tfnguished from other persons OF renown- one OF
the verses Of the song 'HammeTstein'' that gave
him delight
Who raised N. great Manhattan. where
His glory brightest CLEANS
Put Philadelphia the map
from its dreams
contracts and far2
no is o Jar
is Willie calls papa
They help in all the schemes q
THammersrein-l