davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-09-08

gave out an interview in the newspapers in
which he said that the operate war was
suicidal. and offered to combine with the
Metropolitan company with view to reduc-
ing the number Of performances Still pro-
testing that his purpose in giving opera had
no desire for money gain in it, he said: ut
Is at present throat-cutting game. Operas
are pitched on solely to get ahead of the
rival house, and singers are engaged at ex-
orbtant salaries to prevent them from be-
ing engaged elsewhere" lie proposed
merger into, which he and The Metropolitan
should go as equal partners; if the company
did not accept his proposition he would go
into the next season with his knowledge in
creased by experience. If, however, the
merger were entered into he would revert
to the spoken drama at the Manhattan
Opera House.
To this overture the directors of the Met
ropolltan company made curt reply: "Mr
Hammerstein is within his rights in max
ing any suggestion he pleases. These sug-
gestions, however, will not interfere with
nor change the policy Of the management
of the Metropolitan Opera Company"
Through Arthur Hammerstein the story
pany had proposed the merger to his father.
On the day after Mr.. Hammerstein had
given out his interview, director of the
metropolitan company denied emphatcally
that negotiations of any kind were pending
between the rival institutions. He also de-
MED that his company had offered Hammer
stein compensation if he would retire from
the operate field and incidentally gave a
glimpse into the Alexandrian ambitions Of
himself and colleagues
"The aim Of the METROPOLITAN Opera Com
pany and its allied interests" he said, "is
TO give the very best opera possible not only
IN New York, but also in those cities where
there is a demand for operate performances
of a high order. The Metropolitan is not
looking to the material side of the question,
namely, whether opera pays or whether it
does not; and while it is true that under
present conditions it is wellnigh impossible
to place opera on remunerative basis, this
phase of the situation does not embarrass
the management in the slightest degree.
The whole proposition is very much
broader one than is generally supposed. In
fact, 1T IS of national scope By this | mean
that under the leadership of the Metropoli-
tan Opera Company it will not be at all i'm
probable that in time an operate basis may
be established in every principal city of the
United States. In connection with this,
have only to cite the recent formation Of
an operate season of twenty weeks, begin
ming the coming fall This is the entering
wedge in the great West"
Mr.. Hammersten retorted that he had
never taken any stock in the negotiations,
but was as full of fight as ever, and thought
that New York would find him giving opera
for the next fifteen years. On the heels of
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-09-08

cussed influence of the automobile as
deterrent to church attendance. viii the
pastors avail themselves of the opportunity
fer series OF 'Go-to- Church Sundays':'
One has only to 60 east across the At
lantic to find motoring for pleasure en-
tirely tabooed. Our comrades in arms
have long since made that little sacri-
fee, as "Thc Christian Science Monitor"
points out:
when the British, French and Italian
public, and the German and Austrian pub
lie, for that matter. learn that such words
as Hardship and sacrifice are sometimes
used in connection with the request of the
United States fuel administration that Sun
day pleasure automobiling shall be sus-
pended for the time being in the territory
east of the Mississippi, in order that the sup
ply of gasolene may be conserved, they will,
to say the very least, be surprised, for the
time that has elapsed since pleasure motor
ing in any OF those countries, or in any
part Of Europe, has been permissible, or
would have been possible if permissible, has
now run into years"
The Savannah News" puts it bluntly:
ANY man who cannot forego his Sunday
rides for few weeks in order to help the
boys who have to fight all day Sunday in
France is q mighty poor variety of Ameri-
can. Those boys could tell him few things
in very expressive language"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-09-08
y urnors of
IN Change

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan directors
were occupied in developing their scheme of
expansion and monopoly, and the news
papers were busy with rumors touching the
changes in the operate world which were
impending. In February, 1910, it was bruit-
ed about that Mr.. Dippel would sever his
connection with the Metropolitan at the end
Of the season, and that Mr.. Gatti would
thereafter be sole manager. Also that Henry
Russell would replace Mr.. Gatti and Signor
Mugnone Signor Toscanini. The execu-
tive committee gave the public to under
stand that action on the future administra-
ton of the opera would not be taken until
May /. A month before that date, however
Mr. Dippel, with the consent of the direc-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-09-08
Opera in
n Philadelphia

Time was, before it became the national
seat OF government, when Philadelphia out
ranked New York as a musical centre For
long time afterword it disputed for first
place with New York. The first dramatic
companies which came to the American
shores from London played there, as we'll as
in Charleston, S. c., and williamsburg, Va,
which towns doomed as large on the dra-
matte map then does the present metropo-
lis of the nation. From the early days until
the nineteenth century, indeed, Philadelphia
was a more influential city, munically, than
New York, and there was an energetic
rivalry between the dramatic companies
playing in the two places. During the last
decade Of the eighteenth century Philadel-
phia laid more stress upon opera (of the
type prevalent at the time, English ballad
operas and adaptations by English COM
posers q few Continental works. than
New York. At the time of the advent of
Italian opera, in 1925, New York had twice
the population of Philadelphia, incompara-
bly, greater wealth and q much more cos
mopolitan character Thereafter the city
OF Penn became largely dependent on
the city Of the Knickerbocker for opera
tic entertainment. like it's predecessors,
the Metropolitan company gave perform
ances twice week for a brief season in tho
Academy of Music in Philadelphia, which
had long been the fashionable home Of
music in that city. Determined to carry
the war into that city, Hammerstein built
an opera house there in 1903 at Broad,
Carlisle and Poplar Streets appealed for
subscriptions to a season of opera, and as
if to make his challenge more emphatic,
gave his opening performance one week
after he had begun his New York season on
the regular first night of the Metropolitan
company at the Academy of Music. Phila-
delphia seemed so wonderfully fattered at
the prospect of having an opera all its own
that its society broke down the barrier
which had shut fashion within the confines
of district contiguous to Rittenhouse
Square, south of Market Street, and sub
scribed for seats and boxes with a gen
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-09-08
en- Hammerstein Threw Down the Gauntlet

and his daring campaign, warmly cham
pioned by the newspapers, won surprising
success. Almost we were persuaded to be-
lievc that there really were enough people
IN Nav York to support two opera houses.
But the stomach Of Mr.. IIammerstcins am
btion had grown large by contemplation of
the vast scheme Of conquest which he saw
IN the minds of the Metropolitan directors
They were reaching out for domination of
tho national field He would do likewise.
The point of departure for the new cam
palgn, New York being invested, was Phila-
delphia.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-09-08

"Not since that day in the spring Of 1899
when one Jacob German set the fashion
for speeding by driving his spic and span
automobile down Lexington Avenue al
the rate Of twelve miles hour have the
New York streets enjoyed such rest and
quiet az that of the first Of the Garfield
sasolenclesS Sundays.
Here and there pleasure car whrred
its shameful way down an accustomed thor
oughfare, but the number of them was not
greatly in excess Of the horse drawn vehi-
cles which were hauled out from dark and
almost forgotten recesses"
"'The New York Evening Sun" adds
that
at was almost like some unexpected con-
vulsion OF Naturefor the first time in
twenty years upper Fifth Avenue and Riv-
erside Drive were as bare of automo bile
traffic as Wall Street or lower broadway
on Sunday afternoon. And this came absut
overnight at the bare expression of q wish
framed formally by the Federal government.
1t was a demonstration full Of significance
for the enemies of people capable OF such
instantaneous self-control."
Aside from the gasoene saved, "The
indianapolis News processes to find
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-09-08

narrow minded. The tense times in which
we are now living, the unprecedented &C
tivities carried on during the week and the
speed have made recreation a matter of i'm
perative necessity to the working classes.
And nowadays it is hard to find any one
who is not engaged in work of some sort
"A few years ago the automobile was a
plaything of the wealthy and luxurious To-
day it is at the service Of the people, No
more thoroughly democratic vehicle has
been invented The number of these ma
chimes owned by persons of very limited
income is ore of the marvels Of the age"
"The Portland Press" while admit
ting the wisdom of conservation, argues
that
at must be. admitted that the same results
might have been attained in fashion
little less crude. The order is all right as
far the results to be obtained are con-
cerned, but it is mighty clumsy one for all
that; one of those slashng, meat axe propo-
stions which we have come to expect from
the Fuel Administrator"
Still, "The New York World" finds
comfort in "the declared likelihood that
six Sundays Of abstinence from pleas
ufe riding will complete the desired saw
ing in oil and fuel"
1.-THE Springfield Republican" suggests
that
here is chance 70 measure the much dis
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-09-08
Song Merged Into a Tense Melo-
drama Of Legal
Proceedings

this, he announced the engagement for the
season 1901 of Mary Garden, Lima
~Cavalieri, Maurice Renaud, Charles Dali
mores and Charles Gilbert, but ntimated
that he would abandon opera in Philadel-
phia. "Thc enormous railroad expenses"
he explained, Figuring over $4,000
son; the steady employment of a resident
orchestra, chorus and immense working
force for but four operas week, make the
present mode of giving opera without any
guarantee even with large attendance I'M
remunerative. The great edifce, including
the improvements made since its erection,
has cost nearly $1,50000o. There is mort
gage of only 100000 on this property, leav
ing an investment of over 81 ,000,0 00" He
added that he had been offered an annual
rental of 100000 for the Philadelphia
house, and threatened that unless he re-
ceived q guarantee of 100000 year he
would abandon opera in Philadelphia.
Thereupon the Metropolitan company
nounced that in the next season it would
forego the guarantee of $1,000 each from
number of it's patrons in Philadelphia and
give opera at it's own risk. Hammerstein
reiterated his demand for guarantee, and
fatty declared that in the preceding Novem-
Der the Metropolitan company had offered
to buy his opera house provided he would
withdraw from the operate field. He was
now willing to sell the house to the COM
pany and leave the local field to the pur-
chaser, while he devoted himself henceforth
to his "life's labor in the cause of art and
great music in New York"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-09-08

to New York and the rest Of
America that lies east Of the Missis-
sippi River. Only request from the
fuel administration at Washington
was required to annul the habits Of
life that have developed from the in
PRODUCTION of the most socializing in
vention of the late nineteenth century
the motor car.
The good nature and good faith with
which the request is being accepted
amply demonstrate the willingness Of
the American people to make wha tever
sacrifice is necessary. Enough that the
gasolene is needed over there! The man
at home is glad to put paddock on the
garage And SO millions of gallons Of
gasolene day are saved.
But what difference it makes on
Sunday! The man who drives car
feels it most, of course Still. what
straphanger or pedestrian could fail to
react to the altered face of things re-
corded by "The New York Globe:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-09-08

crosby which was remarkable, il not of the
dimensions trumpeted forth by Mr.. Ham
merstein. Scarcely had the walls of the
building been reared before Mr. Hammer
stein asked the moneyed men of Philadelphia
to lend him 100000 on the security of
mortgage on the opera house. A committee
of citizens undertook to raise the amount.
but financiers were chary, for which Mr.
Hammcrstein publicly and roundly berated
them. With amazing effrontery he accused
them of niggardliness, and said that if he
had built drinking saloon and asked a
loan on it they would readily have given
him $4,0000O0. With meekness equally
amazing the Philadelphians swallowed the
insult to their city. The public, led, as in
New York, by the newspapers had as a mat
ter Of fact become enamored of their new
social plaything and we're in a frame of
mind to be browbeaten and intimidated
rather than lose it. The committee offered
Mr.. Hammerstein s25o,ooo on conditions
which he refused, and he played his next card;
he would close the season on January %, or
continue to give opera on a less costly
scale. At the same time he gave the pub
lie to understand that Baltimore had offered
to raise $1,000,000 and build an opera house
for him. Baltimore had been drawn into
the fighting line, and Mr., Hammerstein's
hint was merely prelude to the announce
ment made by the Metropolitan people on
January that they had acquired the Lyric
Theatre in that city and would give sea
son of two performances week in 19O9-10
Nevertheless, Mr.. Hammcrsten got his
100000, the loan being guaranteed or ex-
tended on his own responsibility, by E. T.
Stotesbury, member of the banking house
of Drexel & Morgan.
And the season Of 1908-09 wore on to
an end and the season 1909-1O began with
Hammerstein striving to strengthen his in
trenchments in New York and PHILADELPHIA,
and the Metropolitan directors doing the
same, but also working on the plan, long in
their minds, of gaining control of the
operate field in the entire country Mean
while the competition for singers caused
them to raise their demands for honoraria
and the cost of giving opera grew apace
Mr. Hammerstein, at least, saw disaster
threatening. Though he could boast that
he had no board of directors to hamper his
actions, he was obliged to confess that
there was strength which he did not pos
sess in the wealth of the Metropolitan com
pany and its annual popular subscription
list which was more than royal subven-
ton.
TT ammerstein
Il IL Protests
Before the year 1910 opened he was pre-
parad to confess to a vision Of the hand
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-09-08
IA a1nmersteln
L. IL Retires

After negotiations extending over six
weeks. it was announced on April IS, 1910,
that Mr. Stotesbury for himself number
Of Philadelphans and some stockholders Of
the Metropolitan Opera Company of New
York had bought the Philadelphia Opera
House and all of Mr.. Hsmmersteins operate
properties in Philadelphia and New York.
except the Manhattan Opera House. and
that Mr.. Hammerstein (through his son.
Arthur, who held his power of attorney, he
having gone to Europe) had covenanted with
the purchasers not to engage in any way in
the management Of grand opera in New
York, Philadelphia, Boston or Chicago for a
period Of ten years. Mr. Stotesburys pub.
hshed reasons for making the purchase
were that a company supplying both New
York and Philadelphia with opera could not
do justice to the latter city, which was en-
titled to an opera pany of its own and a
season OF ten or twelve weeks. Tnasmuch as
artists would not come to the city for SO
short time arrangements would be made
with the new Chicago company, organized
by MIR. Dippel and conducted by Cleofonts
Campanini who had been Mr. Hammer.
stems conductor, by which there would be
ten weeks of opera in Chicago and the same
number Of weeks in Philadelphia There
was also to be exchange of leading sing
ers with the New York and Boston com.
panies. 7. De Witt Cuyler, Of PHILADELPHIA,
was already member OF the METROPOLITAN
board Of directors and Mr. Stotesburv was
associated with him while Otto Fl. Kahn.
Clarence H. Msckay and William K. Van
derblt Joined the directorate OF the Phila-
delphia organization
The season of 1909-'10 resulted IN los,
to 1ne Metropolitan Opera Company Of
about 100000. In curtain speech on the
night before the Philadelphia season vas
brought to close, Mr.. Hammerstein said:
The past season financially, has oeen a
very unfortunate one, but there has been
deluge Of musical efforts and q surfeit OF
grand opera. While my losses have been
enormous, am proud of knowing that those
OF my adversaries have been much larger.
Ny efforts IN the great cause, however, viii
not relax, and am planning for next sea-
son the greatest and most sublime opera for
the pleasure of my audience and the honor
OF myself" He owned contracts for tina
performing rights of a number of operas,
some OF which he HAD given and some not
and for the services Of Mary Garden, Louisa
Ietrazzini, Maurice Renaud, Charles Dali
mores, Charles Gilbert, John Mccormack
and Mario Sammarco; these were trans-
ferred to the Chicago Philadelphia, or Pb \.
adelphia- Chicago. company Thi. was tina
situation at the close OF the opera season
l909-'1o
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-09-08

ACK to the nineteenth century
once a week! That, in effect,
A is what happens on Sundays
The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1918-04-19
John Price.

Just after the dawn of another day,
April IL. 1918. the precious .soul Of my
dear sainted father was released and
waited home to God who gave. Oh!
Death where 10 thy sting, naturally
Death is q Grim Reaper but II Is only
the means of transplanting the Flower
In Heaven.
Papa was the last member of large
family. He was the youngest child Of
II. Nd. and Mahals Price. born Novem.
Der 20, l845. He had passed thre
score and ten years which is a ripe old
age. Was twice married, first to Miss
Lucy j. Farris. two children blessed
this union, one dying in fancy, the other
Annie E. Gather, died January %, 1916
second to Miss Lille C. Martin, jan
uary 2, 1885. This union was blessed
with five children who are left to mourn
the loss of dear father. My mother
died February s, 1898, and papa has
been mother and father. Altho he was
burdened with many cares in rearing
mOtherless children. but when his
Youngest sister was left a widow Dec.
ember 1899, he opened sheart and
home to her, caring for her seven
teen years.
His life has been one of love and
sacrifice, devotion and protection to his
loved ones. And as new burdens were
placed upon him he would say my
shoulders are broad enough to carry it,"
And thus his hair was frosted by the
cares of many years. And if should
live as long as he, l could never repay
the debt of gratitude | owe. He never
left much wealth of this world, but
treasures more valuable than all the
"Gold of 0phir" a good name and a
life worthy lof emulation. May each
child and grand child live honoraIly pre-
serving his goodness thru each coming
generation. How sad to think our
home is broken up the jewel, the
flower is gone. And when | take up
my life's work mauy.miIes away, papa's
life will be my guiding star. May God
comfort and bless each toru and bleed
Ing heart. He has promised to be a
Father to the fatherless and my trust
Is Him.
May He draw us together with stong
bonds tOf love, guide and protect all
along life's ragged pathway,
SADIE M. PRICE.
The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1918-04-19
Willie Gurkin.

On April 8, 1918, Willie Gurkin age
seventeen years, died at the Bap-
tist Memorial Hospital Memphis. He
was a great favorite among bis many
friends and scquaintances. He was
member Of the Sunday School of Ross
vile, which he has attended all his life
He leaves father, mother, four sis
ters and two brothers and other rela.
tives, together with his many friends
to mourn his loss. Grieye not dear
bereaved ones and be prepared to meet
him in that beautiful beyond where
there will be no more parting. All that
his friends and loved ones could do was
done to restore him to health but ef-
forts failed for God was calling him to
come for he had better work for
him there than here. Bereaved ones
he is asleep in Jesus, so grieve not.
Services were conducted at Pleasant
Grove Church at noon Tuesday, by Rev.
Mcdowell (pastor of RossviIle church., J
after which his remains were gently
lowered to last resting place in Pleas
ant Grove cemetery, in the presence
of great many friends and loved, ones
A LOVED ONE.
The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1918-04-19
Union.

1t is hoped the rain will come sooner
than Aaron Farris prophesied.
Dee Edgar Brsdsher has returned to
Columbia, S. c., after a weeks visit
to his parents, his wife going back with
him.
Misses Elizabeth Carr and Elizabeth
Reed are visiting Mrs. d. A. Stevens.
Mrs. Cora Massey and son, Charles,
spent few days with Mrs. Jim Brad
sher last week.
Mr.. and Mrs 7. r. Stafford visited
their daughter. Mrs. Lamb, in Shelby
county the past week.
Mrs. ], A. Carter spent the weekend
with her sisters, the Misses Stevnes. v
Richard johnson and family visited
in the home of Ollie Goode Sunday. -
Boyd Bradsher and wife from Paris
visited his parents, Mr.. and Mrs. s. G.
Bradsher, recently.
W. x. Murphy and family spent Sum
day with Mrs. Marvin Stafford.
Misses Lille and Katie Stevens, Eliz-
abeth Reed, Elizabeth Carl and Mrs.
The Fayette falcon. (Somerville, Tenn.) 190?-current, 1918-04-19
10 Memory of C. Waller.

Born In Walker County Texas, on
February %, 1882 married to Miss Mat.
tie Louise Baxter March IL, 1911 and
died at his home near Williston, Ten
nessee March q, 1918.
Stricken with pneumonia after an at
tack of smeases he lived only three
days. He leaves a wife and four smal
children, a mother, three sisters and
one brother. to mourn his untimely
death besides other relatives and friends.
His was life of unselfshness and de-
votion; member Of the M. E church
since 1902, dutiful effectionate son
and brother and a most devoted hus-
band and father. Oh, my brother my
darling brother, thou vert torn from
our arms without warning .and while
thy dear form lies beneath mound Of
clay covered with flowers, the last beau
tiful tribute of relatives and friends.
we with hearts numbed with grief are
left gazing as it we're heavenward.
trying to penetrate the awful darkness 8
and a gloom with tear dim vision. God
alone can comfort and bind up our brok'
en- hearts. The journey of life will be
lonely without thee but heaven seems
nearer and dearer and the pearly ,gates
are open wide; watch for me, brother
dear, meet me at the peaIly gates and
hand in hand we'll walk the shining
streets and bow at the great white,
throne to give glory and praise to God,
we will drink at the Fountain of.Life and
together take of the pure endless joys,
pleasures Of that beautiful home above
of which we loved to read and talk to-
gether so well.
BLESSED are the pure in heart Tor
they shall see God" FOND SISTER.