The San Francisco call., 1909-05-23
VTFWBo IRON, NF7WYCRK

INHliNlHn iH ail inc papers, nut 4
he had not told the waiting public
anything about the close Of the war
which his brother the great David. had
been wagine Tor wears with Klaw &
ltrlaneer story about this modern /
and latter day David WHO had stoned
The mighty Goliath and had hit him
many nnc whacks Also we wanted
TO know how it had happened that
Harrison Grey Fiske. another doughty
independent leagued with David, had
Joined In Il three cornered truce
wherein none of the combatants sur
rendered. but rather sat on their arms
and swapped felieities.
i. Tn short. the story OF the settlement
OF the theatrical fight was what we
wanted, and Frederic knew all about it,
lie was there in New York when the
armistice was effected lie was like a
correspondent on the firing line. All
he had 20 90 was TO take notes and
dodge the bullets. But Frederic didn't /
tell us anything about the matter in
the published interviews. lie told how
both sides approached cautiously and
ssluted each other gravely, as brave
generals are won't to DO, and how it
had been arranged through Mr.. CARRIER.
"A lawyer in New York. that PERSONAL
ties were not TO be INDUCED in nor
old sores reopened To bleed afresh and
undo everything; how il had then been
agreed that instead Of fighting any
longer Klaw & Erlanger would book
the attractions Of the Independents.
David Belasco and F'iske, and how
ire latter gentlemen Sgreed TO let 'em.
All this Frederic told in the language
or the diplomat and then sksted safely
to silence on The thin ice Of sophisti-
Gated cloqucnce- He got away with il;
b1t was determined DE would not get
away with me.
Frederic and are old friends The
most cordial relations exist between
US He doesn't even mind when I
roast one Or his shows. but rather at
tributes the lapse of reason to the
weakness Of the flesh and to the faulty
faculties which make men critics in
stead Of creators. He beats with such
rraiIties as I from time TO time ex-
hibit with the magnanimity Of true
friendliness. .can him Fred and he
calls me Walter. Nothing. then. was
more certain than that / could engage
him I'm a little friendly conversation
and quite casually introduce the topic
beating near the top of my interest,
and induce him. in a burst OF friendly
spirit. to tell me all about it
am pleased TO say that Fred did
talk to me. de talked freely and
answered every question I put TO hrm
with a frankness seldom witnessed
outside a physicians diagnosis.
~ TOU know said I to him in the
seclusion Of his pretty office at
the Alcazar, that the question
uppermost just now in the minds of
theater goers. actors. mana gers. ar
tisans and supers of san Francisco is
how it happened that just at the time
when the Shuberts entered the field
and pulled the long sword against the
syndicate-that just at that time. as
said. David Belaseo and Harrison Grey
I'iske. ancient enemies Of the trust
should make up with the established
interests and form tacit pact with
The foe"
Ny brother and AR. Fiske.~ replied
Air. Belasco. have not formed a COM
pact with Klaw Erlanger. The
unfriendly relations which may have
hitherto existed are simply discontin-
ued. and Klaw & Erlanger are. going
to book their shows. just the same as
the shuberts win do"
But what ] want 10 know" ] per
sisted is how even this neutral stand
was taken by Belasco and Fiske. who
for years have been bitter enemies Of
ne trust?"
Have they been enemies?" he asked
as If he didn't know.
Sure" said /
Well" he said. after pulling several
contempiative puffs at his mono
grained cigarette and assuming the at
tit0de and demeanor Of a witness on
the point Of confessing. "T'n tell you
All about it,"
ftIT was last December" said he,
blowing three Turkish rings.
when I was in New York, I don't
mind telling you that / was looking
FOR chance to make bit of money
we All can use it, you know. and had
an idea
7 smiled scornfully. but. professed
credulity. and he went on
AT that time he resumed. overlook
ing my silent interruption, ''Blapche
Bates was at the height Of her sue
cess in The Fighting Hope and
coveted the attraction for the Pacific
-oaEs i kas been several years, you
know. since Blanche Bates has been in
her native state, and she would.
thought, be a great hit here At that
time. too. If you'lI remember my
brothers attractions - and Blanche
Bates was one OF them-were not
booked in Klaw & Erlanger houses;