The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1912-10-04

THE BUREAU
OF PLAYS
1t Brought Out Some
Curious Facts
BY EDWIN b. HENRY

I started my career as theatrical
manager / had no trouble in getting
actors-indeed. 1t was all l could do
to get rid of those didn't need. They
would beg for a trial sometimes with
tears In their eyes, and since l am of
O sympathetic disposition my feelings
were often racked almost beyond en-
durance. AS for the women who were
trying to make living on the stage.
they nearly drove me distracted.
As for getting rid Of the playwrights,
I found 1t a much easier matter. Most
plays I received were sent by mail or
express, and when found unavailable
all 1 had to do was to send them back
by the way they had come. True, now
and again an author would bring his
play to my Office and tell me all about
how he got on to the theme and the
suggestions that led to his happy hits,
and after occupying three-quarters OF
an hour of my time he would go away
satisfied he had made an impression
that would insure his work special at
tention. | had q reader whom l kept
all day porting over these manuscripts,
and after the authors departure l
would toss his production on the read
er's desk without a word. He knew
that he was to look into 1t and make
a report upon 1t.
After paying my reader his salary
for year I became satisfied that 1t
didn't pay me to keep him. Not that
he was incapable Of doing the work
assigned him, but little or nothing
came In that IL seemed to me was
worth producing. So discharged him,
and after that relied for plays upon
such playwrights as had established
regulations.
II was about this time that became
inoculated matrimonially. The young
lady upon whom I placed my affec-
lions was Miss Jenetta Starkweather
and well worthy the love Of any man.
Unfortunately she had father who
was very dificult person to handle.
In early life he had tried his hand at
acting and plnywrighting. After
brief time at each he had failed as
Rignally at one as at tho other.
It is needless to say that when was
introduced to him as sutton for his
daughters hand my calling was great
ly against me. Few persons have fall
ed in any artistic line who have not
blamed almost any one except them
selves for their failure. Among actors
the person blamed is the manager, who
will never assign an aspirant part
In which he can show his powers. Play
wrights blame the manager because he
will not produce their plays.
Old Starkweather, who, having fall
ed histrionically, turned his attention
to the leather business and made a for
tune at it, had passed the principal part
of his life grumbling at theatrical man.
ayers, whom he accused of being the
cause OF turning him from what he
was fitted for to that which was CON-
monplace and altogether embarrassing.
Be this as 1t may, there was not bet
ter buyer or better seller In the
leather district than old Starkweather
When applied for the hand of Jenet-
ia the old man looked me over from
head to foot, and could see that some
thing was moving him against me. He
spent long while talking to me about
my affairs. then. after a thoughtful
pause, said:
do ~ haUn hAr
heart on you: why don't know. /
never could find out why her mother
set her heart on me-natural feminine
cussedness. | suppose. But Jenetta
seems to want you, and her marriage
with you will give me an opportunity
to go into a line that have always
wished to enter wish to prove that
the reason there are no good plays on
the boards or very few Of them IL
that the plays sent In by playwrtghts
who have not achieved a reputation IL
owing to the fact that the plays are
not read. I am ready to put up the
money to hire corps Of readers to
read carefully all plays that are sub
mitted for examination and to produce
on the boards those that are found to
be meritorious. | wish to be n silent
partner, having nothing to do with the
management of the business. How
would you like to be the active part
ner?"
1t was plain that Jenetta might pass
peaceably into my possession II l
should consent to enter upon a scheme
which would take up great deal OF
my time to no purpose and would sink
considerable money for my prospective
father-in-law. l set him down for one
of those persons who know 1t all'' and
believed that any attempt to convince
him of the futility Of his proposed en-
terprise would be useless. By such at
tempt would risk losing his daugh-
Der; by consenting might possess her
at once. l was anxious for an imme-
diate marriage and chose the latter al
tentative.
II would be very happy. Mr.. Stark
weather." l said. ito manage your
scheme for you. Indeed. 1t will only
be an addition to what am now do
ing We shall at least prove whether
good plays are being wasted or wheth-
err authors having strong dramatic In
stinct are being lost to the world on
plaYwrights through lack OF encourage
ment"
every well. SIR" he replied. II will