davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-10-06

II HAVE already told the story in all
save its artistic phases of the contest
Il between the Metropolitan Opera Com
pany and Mr.. Hammerstein. which
ended with the retirement at the end of the
season 1909'10 of the latter from the oper-
attic field. For a reason which must have
been obvious, l completed the chapter
with an account of Mr.. Hammerstein's
discontinue when he attempted to return
to operate management later. | have also
given some critical attention to the artistic
activities of the Metropolitan company dur
ing the first year of its reorganization and
10 the by no means inglorious achieve
ments of Mr.. Hammerstein during the last
two years of the Manhattan Opera House.
10 keep the account of the disastrous
rivalry intact 1 was obliged to depart from
a strictly chronological procedure in the
historical narrative and shall be con-
strained to do so again in the review of the
artistic doings of the Metropolitan estab-
lishment within the period covering the
incidents which have narrated which is
the business of the present chapter l
shall do this in order to avoid so far as is
possible monotony and dryness in the re-
cital, but more particularly to lift into de-
served prominence few things which loom
larger in retrospect than they did in con-
temporaneous contemplation. Some of
these things have relation to efforts made
to habilitate English opera in its two
aspects of performances of foreign works
IN the language of the country and of the
production of the works Of American COM
posers Others were factors in lofty,
even an idealistc, striving to establish an
alliance between the Metropolitan Opera
House and the New Theatre like that
existing in Paris between the Academic
Royale, popularity called the Grand Opera,
and the Opera Comique. So far as they
fell within the period covered by these
memoirs. both of these efforts proved abor-
tive but both remain as ideals toward
which, happily, wider vision opened by
the universal physical and cultural struggle
viii eventually be directed To opera in
the vernacular feel that a special chapter
IS due, though it will be necessary to refer
to the outcroppings of the movement as
they enter chronologically into the histori-
cal narrative.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-10-06

cult still, to make the claim of the enor-
nous losses suffered by the managers due
to increase in the cost Of giving opera
agree with certain wcll-known facts. Least
of all does it seem wise righteous to
charge this increase to the rapacity of
singers. Mr. Grau made money enough in
the last three or four years Of his admin
istraton to retire with fortune, though
Jean de Rcszke at the last cost him as
much Caruso has ever cost the Metro
politan management, and Grau paid artists
like Sembrch Eames, Calvc, Pancon and
Edouard de Rcszke besides. Mr.. Conreds
first seasons were also VIGOROUSLY profita-
Bile. Of course the doubling of the chorus
and orchestra added greatly to the cost of
the establishment, but it was this doubling
which made it possible to give opera in
other places which were a source of profit,
not of loss, to the institution. There was
report that the Metropolitan Opera Com
pany lost $135,000 on the venture in the
New Theatre, but deficit of an average of
nearly $3,400 performance is scarcely
conceivable In Brooklyn the season was
profitable to both the Metropolitan COM
pany and the stockholders of the Academy
of Music. who played in partnership; in
Philadelphia and Baltimore there were
guarantees which saved the company from
loss and probably yielded a profit. In New
York it was said at the outset of the season
that the subscription had been the largest
ever known in the history of the house.
1t would seem to be obvious, therefore,
that the increase OF cost was in the admin
istration and the artists ought to be held
guiltless. But feel little inclined to con-
Germ myself with financial matters any
more than I must in trying to set down the
history of this extraordinary operate year
Finance and | arc strangers to each other.
The season OF the metropolitan COM
pany which has called forth this long,
but ! hope not purposcless, excursion be-
gan November 10, 1909, and ended
April 2, 1910, and comprised twenty weeks.
But these twenty weeks IF the local sub
scription period, with its five performances
a week, did not by any means sum up the
activities Of the company; there were also
a subscription series of twenty representa-
tons in the Borough of Brooklyn, a sub
scription season OF two representations a
week for twenty weeks at the New Theatre,
in Central Park West, and many special
performances and subscription seasons in
Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston which
do not belong to local history because
Of their connection with the story of the
rivalry of the opera companies and the in
fluence which they had the home per-
formances. The first representation of the
company took place in Brooklyn on No
vember 8, and before the season opened at
the Metropolitan Opera House performances
had already been given in Philadelphia and
Baltimore, which cities eventually heard
twenty each. The Boston performances
were eleven in number five in January and
six in the last week of March. After this
labor there remained before the company
a Western tour and a visit to Atlanta, Ga,
which had become the home of an annual
opera festival.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-10-06

invited to the competition then in progress
among American authors and composers
for an original opera in the English lam
guage, for which prize of $4,000 had been
offered by the Metropolitan company in
December, 1903 The story of that compe-
tition and the award I purpose to relate
in a subsequent chapter, where it can be
brought into perspective with other i"c'-
dents in the campaign for vcrnacular
opera, campaign that is as old in New
York as opera itself--a fact to which man
ayers and composers obstinately keep their
eyes shut.
The season had been in progress for a
fortnight when the first quasi-novelty was
brought forward at the New Theatre, which
gave rich and beautiful setting to the au-
dience and the piece, but was found to be
defective acoustically, a fault which was
partially remedied in the next season. The
work was Lortzing's Gear und thinner
Manu." which was performed in the original
German. Here was a case in which a for
eign work might have made deeper I'M
preston on an American audience than 1T
did had it been given il. English; but to do
that it would have had to be provided with
a better translation than is usually be-
slowed upon foreign operas, and the spirit
Of the comedy and music been more faith
fully preserved than it was by some of the
performers. Lortzing's Singspiel is a
classic-bewitchin Mozartan in it's music
and altogether delightful in its comedy. It's
subject-thc familiar episode in the life Of
Peter the Great which tells of how he
learned to appreciate the feelings of plain
people," as Lincoln called them, by working
in Dutch shipyard common carpenter
has appealed to many composers, but has
never been treated so successfully by any
lyric dramatist as by Lortzing. 1t had been
brought forward at long intervals in New
York in it's original form as we'll as in Eng
fish dress, but never quite adequately, which
one reason why it appealed to the New
Theatre audience as q new and. beautiful
thing. 1t received four performances in the
season.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-01-25
Georges Above Hickman.

Hickman, KY, Jan. 22.--Ice gorge
at Columbus, KY, 20 miles above
Hickman, is reported to extend far as
Mound City, ILL.,, distance of over
80 miles, and is momentarily expec-
ed to let go.
There is said to be 25 feet of false
water behind this gorge, and when it
goes, river men think it will clean
the river of everything for many
miles, possibly to Memphis. Every
gorge between Columbus and osceola,
Ark, has let go and the rs feet of
water behind this gorge will drive
the ice fast and hard, and damage
on Mississippi River will no doubt be
very large.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-01-25

One second hand incubator good condition. Poland China Hamp
shire farrow March
China bred gilt five registered Duroc
Duoc Jersey bred gsi Berkshire
600 pounds seed Florida potatoes;
small quantities. registered Percheron
lilly 300 to 5000 female
manure lots; Hickory king seed
ford BULL five all 200
Seed car lots 10000 pounds white blossom clover
hay, all varieties, carl
Instructive publications the following subjects will be
chage Alfalfa, Lime in Agriculture sos
Breeders of live stock and producers of field garden orchard
products for such reach the market through established
and logical channels invited communicate the undersigned
complete descriptions quantities and other
ton of such commodities. Address
L. P. BELLAH General Agent
Nashville Tenn.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-01-25
Sow Spring Oats With Alfalfa.

1t is almost impossible to thickenl
thin, old stands of alfalfa by either
spring or fall seeding of new alfalfa.
The old plants soon choke out the
young ones. 1t is unsafe to sow al
falfa in the spring except on very
fertile soils where such seedlings are
known to succeed. Sow part of the
field where the stand has failed in
spring oats, which will be used along
with scattering alfalfa for hay and
possibly hog pasture. Then Prepare
the land by summer fallow and re-
cede to alfalfa. At the Experiment
Station, University of Tennessee, 1t
was found best TO sow orchard grass
or tall oat grass at the last cuiti-
walton of alfalfa in the fall in order
to thicken the stand.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-01-25
Plant in Operation.

The Reynolds Packing Company
plant was completed last week, and
the contractor has returned to his
home in st. Louis.
Mr.. Reynolds, the president, states
that the plant is now in operation
and that the products are being put
on the market with ready sale for
everything.
A great many of our people here
are using supplies from the plant and
they are making quite a fine reputa-
ton.
Union City is proud of the enter
prise and the indications are that it
will be a much bigger institution as
time passes. We need more of these
in Union City. 1t means place on
the map.
Mr.. G. v. Jones, with the Childs
Speciality Co., during the cold wealth
er is helping the company to get the
books in shape.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-01-25
Get Your Incomes Ready.

Nashville, Tenn, Jan. 23.-Col-
lector of Internal Revenue e. B. Craig
to-day stated that the Department at
| washington is calling on individual
income tax payers thruout the coun-
try to pay their taxes when they file
their tax returns.
Many persons have been furnished
blanks by the collectors Office and
some have obtained their blanks from
Federal officers sent out by the col
lector's office at Nashville. Collector
Craig states that these officers will
have visited every county in the State
by March /. The collector urges that
all unmarried individuals whose net
income for the calendar year 1917
was $1,000 or over and that all mar
ried individuals whose net income
was $4,000 or over, get their figures
ready, and be able to file their tax
reports as soon as the Federal officer
is in their county. All parties who
have already obtained their blanks
should be prompt. Send in the re-
port and tax due without delay. 1t
is patriotic duty in these times to
render the Government every service
that it asks. BY paying taxes now,
you will give the Government the
benefit of this revenue and enable
the Internal Revenue Office in this
State to render the public more eff
cient service by avoiding the con-
gestion bound to result If taxpayers
wait till June to pay the amount due.
If you live in a community that
will not be visited by revenue officer
and are liable for income tax you
should write to e. B. Craig, Collector
of Internal Revenue, Nashville, and
obtain the necessary blank upon |
which to file your tax return. If the
Federal officer has already been in
your community and you did not see
him, you must write to the Internal
Revenue Collector and obtain a
blank. Your bank or postoffice can
tell you when the officer will be in
your county and where he will be.
1t is pointed out by the collectors
Office that there is no provision in
the law to relieve delinquent tax
payer on account Of failure to re-
caivn q blank or IN ho viuitod NV q
Federal officer. The taxpayer must
go to the Government. If he does
not, he incurs the heavy penalty pro-
vided by law. All income tax re-
turns must be fled with the Internal
Revenue Collector or one Of his depu-
ties on or before March /, 1918. If
not, penalty for delinquency will ac-
crue by law.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-01-25
Pershing Praises U. S. Soldiers.

Washington, Jan. 23.-There has
never been a similar body of men to
lead as clean lives as the American
soldiers in France, General Pershing
said in cablcgram to-day to Sec
rotary Baker in reply to inquiries as
to the truth of reports of immoderate
drinking among the men.
General Pershing's message was
made public by Mr.. Baker in this let
ter to Governor Capper. of Kansas:
you may recall writing to me
several days ago concerning persist
ent reports as to the immoderate sale
of liquor among our forces in France
My impression was that these rumors
were not well founded in fact, but
felt it my duty to convey their con-
tent to General Pershing and to ask
him to communicate with me as to
the facts. You will be glad to know
that have Just received the follow
ing words from the commander of
the American expeditionary forces:
There has never been similar
body of men to lead as clean lives as
our American soldiers in France.
They have entered this war with the
highest devotion to duty and with no
other idea than to perform these
duties in the NOSE efficient manner
possible. They fully realize their OBJ
legation to their own people, their
friends and the country.
"A rigid program of instruction is
carried out daily with traditional
American enthusiasm. Engaged in
healthy, interesting exercises in the
open air with simple diets, officers
and men, like trained athletes, are
ready for their task Forbidden the
use of strong drink and protected by
stringent regulations against sexual
evils and supported by their own NOR
al courage, their good behavior is
the subject of most favorable COM
ments, especially by our allies.
American mothers may rest as
sured that their sons are credit to
them and to the nation, and they
may well look forward to the proud
day when on the battlefield these
splendid men will shed new luster
on American manhood
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-01-25
Card of Thanks.

To my dear friends: As / have in
the past been g writer for this good
paper, l feel that / may be permitted
to say few words in the way of
thanks. l have been in bed sixteen
weeks, and just now / am feeling so
much better, almost like / am we'll.
But the doctor advises me that must
be quiet for a while longer. l guess
you will be surprised to hear from
me. The weather has been so bad
that my friends have not been able
to come to see me. / have had
long struggle. / am so tired, but so
thankful that / am better. / feel
like / want those who have been so
kind to me to know how thankful
I am. First, / want to thank God
for sparing my life, while in my heart
l was ready to submit to his will.
Second, want to thank DR.. Ira Park,
for when he came to me sixteen weeks
ago, felt that / could never more
be as well as | am to-day. AS he
stated, may have been much better
If he had been called sooner. He
certainly gave me the kindest care.
But for DR.. Park and my mother and
father, / would not have been long
for this world.
So we had to give DR.. Park up to
enter the service of his country, and
how we hated to see him go. 1t will
take a good physician to fill his place,
but he put me in the care of his
father, who is the third physician | |
have had, and he certainly has been
attentive and kind. 1t has never been
too cold or the snow too deep for DR.. |
Park to come to see me. Third, l |
thank the many friends for their
prayers and kind wishes, for. the |
nourishing food and pretty flowers. |
And | also thank my aunt, Mrs. Yer
hine, for the nice things she brought
me. miss my aunt since the wealth |
er has been so cold. She can't come
to me. I pray that if ever l get well
/ may become more faithful to the
sick than ever was before.
May Gods richest blessings be with |
each and everyone, and may / ask
that they still remember me in their
Iona HICKS.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-01-25
Company A.

Capt. Claude V. Andrews, of the
Fourth Tennessee Infantry, N. G.,
announces this week the formation
of his officers as follows;
First lieutenant, f. l.. Pittman
second lieutenant, r. e. White; first
sergeant, w. e. Hudgins; supply
sergeant, A. Y. Sumner; mess SER
geant, ]. v. Hefiey; sergeants, w. H
McAdoo. Avrie B. Coble, Langford
Crowell, John Semones, Jr.. VIM
Mayo, H. G. Robinson; corporals
Geo. S. Allen, w. P. Bradshaw, Benz
+. Howard, Robt. G. Jackson, Spencer
J. Willard, Jas. Morehouse, Cecil
Moss, Chas. L. Rulings, Martin l.
Stroud, John v. Verhine, Randolph
s. Watson; mechanic, Max B. Harris;
cooks, Jas. G.. Escue, JEFF l.. Bowden
Buglers, Douglas T. Lee, Carmen G,
Monrotus.
! Capt Andrews is to be congratu-
lated in having his company placed
as Company A, or the first company
of the regiment. This was done in
recognition of Capt. Andrews -serv-
ices in organizing and training his
men.
Union City, therefore, is ready with
its home guard for duty whenever
they are called upon. Every town
and city in the United States should
be protected by its military organiza-
tion, ready to defend our homes and
our interests against invasion. If,
by any means, the troops at the
front should fail to keep the enemy
back, and the blood-thirsty hounds
should invade our shores, we will
need the home guard, and If every
city and town in the United States
is prepared, as Capt. Claude v. An
drews has in Union City, the in
vaders will get warm reception in
America.
1t is duty imperative upon us to
keep our country protected with the
defense of armed militia.
All honor to Capt. Andrews,
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-01-25
Non Resident Notice.

H. X. Rea and Mollie B. Rea VS.. Geo..
w. Bruce, and Prudential Life In
surance Co. OF America, Corpora
tion) of Newark. Now Jersey.
Chancery Court, Obion County, Ten
nessee.
In the above styled cause it appear
ing to the Clerk and Master from the
bill OF complaint, which is sworn to,
that the defendant, The Prudential Life
Insurance Co. of America, corpora
ton of Newark, New Jersey, non-resi-
dent of the State OF Tennessee and are
residents OF the State OF New Jersey, so
that ordinary process OF law cannot be
served upon them. It is therefore
hereby ordered that the said above,
named defendants appear before the
Clerk and Master OF the Chancery Court
OF Obion County, Tennessee, on or
before the First Monday OF February,
1918, that being regular rule day of
said Chancery Court, and make defense
to the said bill, or the same will be
taken as confessed by them, and the
said cause set for hearing ex- parte as.
to them. II is further ordered that
publication OF this notice be made for
four consecutive weeks in The Com
meicial, weekly newspaper published
in Obion County, Tenn.
This, Jan'y LIST, 1918.
GEO. A. GIBBS,
Clerk and Master.
By T. L. Lancaster, ID. G. and NJ.
Pierce & Fry, Soils. for Compile.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-01-25
Negro schoolhouse.

The old schoolhouse, used by the
negroes of Union City altogether until
the new one was built this fall, was
destroyed by fire last week. The
building caught on one of the cold
days, when 1t was troublesome to get
the fire-fighting apparatus in opera
tion.
The building was insured for
$4,000 and the contents for $3.50.
The fire company deserves praise for
the efforts they made to control the
flames. The zero weather kept them
from saving the building.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-01-25
Special Notice.

Mrs. C. e. Trevathan, who las
been looking after the necessities OF
people without fuel and supplies dur
ing the cold weather, requests us to
state that the business men of the
city have taken up the work and re-
lieved her, and hereafter food, fuel
and articles of clothing may be left
at the Commercial Club rooms for
distribution, and those seeking help
should apply to the United Charities
in charge.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-01-25
Another Training School Boy.

Joe Morley Scott, of Ripley, a for
mer pupil of the Training School,
received his mmission as first lieu
tenant. This young man graduated
at University of the South last spring.
He will be remembered by some as
being star player on the foot ball
team. He is one of six first lieu
tenants from the Training School.
He is at Camp Wheeler.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-01-25

Hon. Austin Peay has long docu-
ment in the Monday papers announc-
ing his candidacy for Governor of
Tennessee in the Democratic primary.
The candidate comes from Clarks-
Vile. He is a lawyer, legislator
and man of parts, good strong ma
terial for the first Office in the State.
he is not radical in his remarks, but
takes up the issue of finance in a
rational and sensible way. He sees
troubled waters and offers his serv-
ices to steer the ship of State in a
safe channeI.
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-01-25
CHATTANOOGA Est. LOUIS RAILWAY
COOPERATIVE
MARKETING SERVICE
The Marketing Division Of the Traffic Departmental the Nashville
Chattanooga St Louis Railway will furnish persons desiring
purchase the and addresses of the following
FOR SALE

Eighteen inch heater wood lots; recned
Florida yam sweet potatoes
red 33
locust fence 500 gallons moase hus
ooo seasoned and 5000 red cedar fence pedeza
hay car LOTS canned tomatoes small
CROP ear corn car o cann canned buhe
eed 100 bushels mammoth prolific black
mammoth brown beans; 100 bushels
To producers will be furnished addresses of per
sons by whom the following commodities
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-01-25
Democratic Ticket

chancellor-v H. HOLMES
Circuit Judge-R. A. ELKINS
County Judge-JOEI. b. WADDELL
Attorney General-THOS. o. NORRIS
County Court clerk-R. II. BOND
Circuit Court Clerk-rHURNAN TALLY
County Trustee-T. j. 7EASTERWOOD
County Register-R. B. MILNER
Sheriff.. NJ. HICKMAN
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-01-25
Known to Fame

This anecdote. as / say. is about
Senator Flubdub. You know the
SENATOR"
mo. but know the anecdote."
The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1918-01-25
Probably Could.

Plenty of ice this season."
YES" sighed the wife. "I'll bet we
could get some big bargains now if
we wanted any.