New-York tribune., 1909-09-05
Tributes TO MR.. FITCH.
Managers and Authors Mourn His
Death-Mother on Way to HIS Side.

In every theatre along Broadway and in the
Players the Lambs, the Friars and Greenroom
club houses the death of CLYDE Fitch was the one
topic of conversation last night. When the notice
was posted the board at the Lambs the few
members present read it in dazed sort of way
The playwright's Illness had not been taken ser.-
ousiy and his death was great shock to the the
atrical profession
David Belasco when seen AT tim s+ry,.,an,
Theatre, said:
This is a great shock to me- I did not expeot
this outcome to Mr.. Fitch's Illness L dined with
him a few days before he sailed and he then
seemed to be in good health and full enthusiasm
While do not like to talk about this matter in a
selfish way, cannot help saying that Mr. Fitch's
death prevents him from writing for me a play
winch he believed would have been the masterpiece
or his career. When dned with him he outlined
the plot and told me that 1t theme which
he had had in mind for years and which was TO be
his best work
IL was TO be society drama touching on a
phase which had not been treated before. 1 sub
sequently signed contract with him for this
play. and II to have been delivered next MAY
That play died with him. am it would have
been a great play. Nobody else could have writ
ten 1t but Mr.. Fitch He author of whom
we can be proud. The American stage is blessed
with so few playwrghts of his calibre that his
loss is great blow.
Mr.. Fitch deserved the success he had for he
made 1t by scratching his way through mountains
OF steel Those who knew him mourn the loss OF
a faithful friend and an adorable companion. We
all loved him for his manly qualities He deserved
every ones respect for his loyalty and sterling
manners. 1t is great blow to the stage and q
great loss to his friends.
Lee Shubert was deeply affected by the death Of
Mr. Fitch and said:
II cannot find words to express nv grief at this
calamity. All I say is that it is terrible blow
TO the American stage Those who knew Mr. Fitch
lose a splendid friend. We had arranged to pro
duce two OF his last plays and he TO have
started rehearsas at the end OF this month.
shall carry out the plans for their production The
plays The Manicure Girl and The CITY Mr.
Fitch believed that the latter play the greatest
he had yet written.
Mr.. Fitch gave the actors opportunities
than any other playwright Every member of the
profession ought feel his loss greatly They
loved him for his courteous treatment when re-
hearsing play"
Claiming Pollock, author OF Such Little
Queen" had word OF appreciation for Mr.. Fitch
on behalf of the younger men In the field of play
writing. He said:
"One thing that the younger generation OF Ameri-
can paywrights will always appreciate Clyde Fitch
for the generous help that ne was always will
ing 10 extend. He big man In the truest
OF the word and / know OF several young
playwrights who the of their first produc-
tion, received congratulatory messages from Mr.
Fitch and words OF encouragement to go ahead
even though their first efforts were not successful
He was always willing to listen to a budding play
wright's play"
Il feel the death OF Mr.. Fitch as a keen per-
sonal loss said Henry r. Harris. Il was with
him In what might be called the turning point uf
his career. II the manager of Miss Amelia
Bingham when produced The Climbers which
was such splendid success for author. star.
pany and manager He was an interchangeable
worker and, no matter how busy. always a
gentleman
notable figures in the progressive American
DRAMA said Frederic Thompson. He had done
and still doing things. Each
distinct advance not only his last success
but the majority of other mems plays that
had gone before His death is great loss TO the
worlds stage
CLYDE Fitch was sincerely admired by all my
acquaIntances who had tried to write for the
stage" said George Ade. II think that men play
wrights admired and envied him because he was
about the only one In the American list who could
depict the delightful whimsIcalities of the eternal
feminine
Actors well managers Joined in the general
expression of appreciation OF the dead playwright.
Robert HIlliard said The American drama has
suffered a particularly loss in the death of
Mr.. Fitch. regret beyond expression the death
Of Mr.. Fitch cut off in the very zenith Of his ca
reer.'
A tragic feature in connection with the death of
Mr.. Fitch is the fact that his mother Mrs Will
lam c. Fitch. who is sixty-ive years old. is Il
passenger the steamship Cleveland. of the Ham
burg American Line. which sailed yesterday. She
eApeCtcu 10 redCn EUROPE III tiiHe % pc OK spNie
assistance in nursing her son back 20 health. She
and her husband down from their home In
Hartford. Conn. some time ago and lived IN their
sons city home. at No. 100 East 10Th street.
Both parents We're much alarmed at the first re-
ports OF the playwright's illness. but cable mes
sage received yesterday morning frightened their
feelings considerably Mrs Fitch decided that her
place at her sons side and she made ar
rangements Immediately to accompany Mr.. Fitch's |
secretary. Edward Simonds, the Cleveland |
Later in the day. when Mr.. Fitchs personal rep |
reSentative in America received the of his |
death he sent wireless message the Cleveland !
Unless Mr. Smonds Informed Mrs. Fitch of its |
import. she Is still expecting TO find her alive
and his condition growing better when she ar |
rves in Europe