New-York tribune., 1908-12-16

the plastic arts The Metropolitan Opera HOUSE Sc
was built by private enterprise ana 3aS H r eon ~
The third step in our artistic development has has
been taken by the oTganiza ton Of this theatre ne
purpose of whose organizeTS is to present TO tne
public the higher drama There is no theatTe ~ OF
the kind in the world that exists without govern
or without subsidy in England America.
AS the great majority of our people nave n3t
the tf, FTancais or the Hof Theatre in Berlin or
Vienna and i they da' W with tbs tbeatre
has been created for the purpose of giving them
TorthV pubiie spirit They neither ask financial
return nor do they hope for 1t; In fact. they eE.
pect to meet an annual deficit in the cause OF art
and education.
RELATION OF PRAYER TO PLAY.
John H Finley president Of the College of the
City of New York discussed the relation Of prayer
to play and declared that IF community could
make its playhouse place where IT played what 1t
wanted TO be when it wanted 10 be its best, the
playhouse would do much for its Clean whole
some. spiritual and physical life as the prayer
house, Augustus Thomas followed Mr.. Finley He
said
I believe that one officially associated with the
organized dramatic authors and with the organized
actors and with the organized theatrical managers
sincere good wishes Of all of those professions and
operation The worthness of the intention entities
the enterprise public support even beyond the
full limit of its possible artistic merit
When Mr.. Thomas had ended his remarks. the
Mayor tapped the granite cornerstone with silver
trowel. saying at the same time, I declare this
cornerstone properly laid" Several workmen then
showed the huge stone into place. Within it the
Mayor placed an Theoretically sealed box that con-
tained q summary of the ceremony, list of the
names of those present a copy Of the Presidents
letter. Of a choral by Percy MacKaye, Of Mr.. Gill
der's poem and copy OF the works of William
Shakespeare, together with description Of the
building by the architects, Carrere & Hastings. Mr.
Glider then read the following poem
shakespeares new home is this; here. this
Here shall he reign first in London town;
the passion of that high RenOwn.
Embodied newly. know its ancient
Here shall trembling regain
It's heritage Of laughter and quick tears
And find fresh courage TO compel its fears
And learn in larger life c balm for pain
Nor shan the masters spirit ouench the blaze
OF spirits that may beauty wake
But fan these bright flame that from new days
! modes and maiesries shall take
And a New World Shakespeare loom erewhile,
swift that great shade. the welcoming smile
OPENS NEXT NOVEMBER.
| The ceremonies closed with the singing of The
! Star-Spangled Banner h. the chorus of the Met
| ropolitan Opera House, headed by Miss Geraldine
Farrar The New Theatre will begin its season
! next November under the administration of Win
| throp Ames director, Lee Shubert as business
manager and John Corbin literary adviser. The
! founders OF the theatre are John Jacob Astor,
/ George F, Baker Edmund L, Baylfes August Bel
3 mont. Cortlandt Field Bishop, Paul D Cravath.
William 2. Osgood Field. Henry CLAW Frick z II
Huntington. James H Hyde Otto II. Kahn ". De
Lancey Kountze, Clarence H. Mackay J. Pierpont
Morgan, James Stillnlan, Hamilton NICK. Twombly.
Robert r. Van Cortlandt Cornelius Vanderbilt
Payne Whitney, II. Orme Wilson and Henry
Rogers Winthrop