New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-06-16
OSCARS HAT, T0O,N RING
1t Means That Hammersteln viii
Re-enter Opera Here.
new HOUSE AND COMPANY
Contract Signed with Metropoli.
tan Has Saving Clause, Says Z
Impresario's Lieutenant.

A1pI C5dIlO 1lSut0u6Qts
That other famous hat Of contemporary
history has followed the lead Of the old
black felt. just now discarded for the
buckskin sombrero. Oscar Hammerstein.
no Of the tall silk tile, sent home q mes
sage by his lieutenant. George Biumenthai,
who arrived on the Lusitania yesterday. n
ran thus:
Tell them my hat is In the ring. too"
Oscar. OF course. did not refer 10 the rin0
in which the war bonnet is being tossed
about. His reference, Mr.. BIumenthal sx-
planned. was to the operatio ring. where the
veteran managers top-piece has weathere6
SO many seasons.
And Mr. Hammerstein," bis lieutenant
declared, 'is going to be right on the heels.
so to speak, of his hat. He IL going "a
close his London season on July 10, take q
short rest on the Continent, and be hack IN
the American metropolis early In August.
The beginning of the season Of 1913 will
see him with a new opera house and a new
company"
Run,or of Saving Clause
Mr.. BIumenthal was reminded Of the cons
tract which Oscar signed with the Metros
politan Opera Company In the spring Of 1919
to stay out of the operate pool In New
York for at least ten years, to give the
Metropolitan time to make up for thu
losses which It had suffered during his
career here. He said there was a clause In
the agreement by which this provision
might be waived at any time for a cons
sideration Of 100000.
AovSr Mr. Ha q
ney at the time of the negotiations with
the opera company, could not remembers
any such clause.
IL Mr.. Hammersteln wants to coma
back" he said yesterday, "he will have to
reopen the whole matter with the other
parties to the contract, unless, of course.
he has reached some agreement with them
since he has been on the other side, or
which I have no knowledge This Is tins
first ! have heard about his decision to re-
enter the grand opera field in this country
When William Hammerstein was seen al
the Victoria he said that he had no direcc
knowledge that his father contemplated %
return to this city.
Mr.. Blumenthal dropped In this morn<
Ing" he remarked, "and told me that ths
old man intended to come back That was
the first l knew about II.
His brother, Arthur Hammerstefn, said
that he hadn't heard about IT before bur
didn't see any reason why II shouldn't os
so. The contract with the Metropolitan
people contained q clause by which ir
might be set aside before the expiration OF
the ten years. he said.
Four Years Of Warfare.
A struggle OF four years duration led 10
the signing of the contract by which MT.
Hammerstein agreed to leave New York
opera alone for a decade and py which
ne also parted with his Philadelphia Opera
House and the rights to his operas. on
account OF the strenuous competition OF
Mr.. Hammerstein the stockholders OF the
Metropolitan opera interests were excep-
tionally anxious to have him out OF the
field. and. on the other hand. Oscar was
glad enough to withdraw finally for the
reason that his singers and musicians took
advantage of the very competition which
he injected into the field 10 wiring high
salaries from him.
Hammerstein declared he had lost toso.
900 the season preceding his departure. IL
was said the Metropolitan's losses ran up
TO nearly $4,000. During the succeeding
season, however, the Metropolitan figured
that it was 100000 better of through the
absence Of its rival and the requirements
of his properties. Edward I. Stotesbury,
who had $4,000 mortgage on Mr.. Ham
mersteins Philadelphia Opera House, was
the man who put the deal through.
Otto Fl. Kahn, who represented the Met-
ropoltan Opera Company in the contract
lin Ia az nj
that the only intimation of Mr.. Hammer
STEMS intention to return which he had re-
ceived was the news that Mr. Blumenthst
brought. Mr.. Hammerstein had not yet
entered into negotiations looking toward
the setting aside OF the contract, so far a.
he knew. but he added that he would be-
willing to listen to any reasons which the
manager might care TO advance as 10 why
he should be allowed to establish compeu-
ton again.