The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-11-10
TRICKED INTO SIGNING
SAYS HAMMERSTEIN
Tells Jury How French Conduc-
tors Candy Raiment Won
New Contract.
AFRAID HE WAS LEAVING

Clasping his hands reminiscentiy over
a broad expanse OF walstcoat Oscar Ham
nerstein told Judge Thomas and a Jury
In the United States District Court yes
terday how he was trickcd into signing a
renewal Of a contract with Simon J. II
dc la F1ente. formerly q conductor Of
French opera at Hamerstein's Manhat-
tan Opera House
Mr.. Hammerstein was the chief witness
and as usual the main attraction at the
breach Of contract suit brought against
him by De la Fuente. who wants his
salary from the time the Manhattan Opera
Company went out of business until the
end of the season of ie10-11. The sum
owed him, with interest, he says. Is
;5,7oo. The suit is important In that the
employed by Mr. Hammerstein as basis
for similar quits.
Do la Fuente says that he was engaged
by Mr. Hammerstein In Europe for the
season OF 1909 and 1910 at salary or
1900 a week. and returned for the season
OF 1901 at s276 a week. Mr.. Ham
merstein's story of how he came to sign
this new contract was as follows:
put on Elektra' the plaintiff cane to me
dressed very unusual. He had on a silk
hat, a Prince Albert coat, white vest and
gloves-just like he was going TO re-
ception, you know. We'll, he told me he
was going over TO the Metropolitan to see
Gatt-Casazza and that the metropolitan
was going TO sign up with him for 1915
week. He said he preferred TO stay
with me, however. as he liked the at
mosphere better.
about that time the Metropolitan was
taking many OF my artists away and
was afraid that II Il continued I would
have TO go out OF business. Besides the
plaintiff told me the Metropolitan was
going to put on 'Elektra' and that he was
TO conduct II, so finally signed the re-
newal of his contract, giving him salary
of s275 n week"
Attorney Edmond T.. Wise for the plain
| TN objected to the witnesses statement
that the Metropolitan took Mr.. Hammer
STEMS artists away from him.
| did you come into court TO defend the
Metropolitan asked Louis Vorhaua at
torney for Mr.. Hammerstein.
! NO." shouted Attorney Wise, banging
his fist down on the rail. But intend
TO defend any one against misrepresenta'
ton and SANDER
| But interposed Mr.. Hammerstein from
, the witness stand, you are attorney 70,
|
Judge ended the controversy with hi,
gavel.
Attorney Wise then produced a lette
sent by Mr.. Hammerstein to the plain
tifr in June. 1910. telling the latter tina
his services would no longer be requires
inasmuch as the Manhattan had sold on
TO the Metropolitan. The lawyer wante,
10 know why Mr.. Hammerstein had takei
| the trouble to send that letter H. as h.
testified. he had previously broken tn
! second contract because of fraud on tn
| part OF De la Fuente
That" said the witness. was cir
| cular letter which ! sent out to all m
artists-about 500, / think there were
| remember feeling very irrltated that
had to dignity him by sending him sue
n notice after he got me TO sign tn
new contract by means OF misrepresenta
| lions. fabrications and lies"
Hugo Riesenfeld, who described himse
I as orchestral manager for Hammerstei
up to June, 1910. also testified. He saiS
Max Figman told him over the telephon
how the plaintiff had Induced Hammer
stein to sign the contract.
jacques Coini. Hammerstein's forme
stage manager. testified that the ruse sal
TO have been used by De la Fuente wa
one of the regular methods employed b
artists in getting recontracts.
The trial will be continued Mt 10 3
this morning, when Mr.. Hammersteint
I cross-exanlination will be undertaken.