New-York tribune., 1919-10-21

whether 1t was fight between the
VI" .rcpolltan and the Star conpanirs
=, nat | want to know" explained the
Mayor, lis whether this petition was
gsotten up by persons in the pay of the
metropolitan or persons actuated by
patriotic motives. Don't you gentle
men know that France and England are
dcing everything to extend their trade
with Germany? was talking to lady
Just little while ago, and she told me
that was surprising."
Holds Up Wooden Arm
Major George ]. Compton, who lost
an arm in the war, said, holding Up an
artificial arm: II can't get rid of this
Its wood. 1t was done by Germans
don't see why any American city
should permit German opera before
peace is ratified"
kultur here" interposed Mr.. Miller, "let
it be play in which the first scene
Will show the Germans dropping bombs
on couple of hospitals, where the sec
ond scene will show the raping of Lou
vain and the last scene the sinking of
ship"
Mr.. Schwab declared "any man or
woman who says I am paid by the
Metropolitan Opera Company is q
liar"
you wouldn't call ladv a liar,
would you?" asked Mayor Hylan.
mo, but l would mean It," replied
Mr.. Schwab.
Mr. Schwab referred to the Metro
po!itan's having dropped German opera
from its repertoire.
whats that?" asked the Mayor.
"Repertoire" Not Brooklynese
"Repertoire," repeated Mr. Schwab.
I've don't have that in Brooklyn. y
said the Mayor
Arguments on behalf of the opera
company were presented by Max D.,
Steur, attorney; Harr: B. Herts, busi-
,ess manager; George Schaettler, sec
retary, and Josephone Schneider.
Mr.. Steur said that Bernard w.
Weller. president, of the company. had
an eighteen-year,old son in the Ameri-
can tank corps. He declared that most
OF the company's officials had relatives
IN the American army, and that their
hmerlcanlsm could not be questioned
Mr. Herts said he himself was men,
Der OF the American Legion and that
eleven members of his' family had
fought with the Americans. He read
from pile of letters showing that
Hecretarles Lansing, Baker and Dan
lels, Charles E. Hughes, Senator Knox.
Senator Hiram Johnson, Miss Mar
garet Wilson and others had been in
vited to attend last nights perform
ance,. and in declining had made no
protest against German opera. One
letter was from Mayor Hyan. Mr.
Hylan said it had been answered bv
his secretary.
II never go to the opera unless I'm
dragged there" said the Mayor. "My
MINDS too much taken up with B. r. T.,
the. budget and such things"
Wants Music as Solace
AS the hearing assumed the aspect OF
general debate, little woman
stepped forward and announced that
her name was Josephine Schneider anc
that she was Of German descent. 81 am
quite astonished," she said. "at the
continuation of hate which fares out
or the souls of these young men. !
don't belong to the American Legion
but ! belong to a legion of mothers
who have suffered and who would like
to hear some German music played as
a solace to the wounds in their hearts y
After the hearing the Mayor retired
for an hour. Later he issued this
statement:
after receiving petitions from the
American Legion | granted a public
hearing and listened for three hours to
the arguments for and agains. the pro-
duction which the Star Opera Company
contemplates opening this evening.
The representatives of the American
Legion in their arguments presented
nothing to substantiate their claims
that the members of this corporation
were other than loyal American citi-
zens. The chairman Of the board of
directors, George Schaettler, is an
American citizen, product Of our pub
lie schools, City College, and o graduate
of Columbia University Law School.
Mr.. Schaettler rendered great service
to the government during the war in
the perfection of a propeller for air
craft. His only son enlisted in the
navy and served on the battleshjp Yer
high type Of American citizen.
Singers Are Americans
"Mr. Herts, the business manager,
was member Of the American Expe-
ditionary forces and served overseas
He, too. was born in this country.
Eighty-two per cent Of the members
citizens. Mr.. Weller, an American
citizen, is president of the Star Opera
Company. His two sons served over
seas. Mr.. Wieler presented letters
from the Treasury Department thank
ing him for the service which he
rendered during the various Liberty
loans.
ALTHOUGH the American Legion
failed to produce proof of German
propaganda, and I am convinced that
there is no propaganda connected with
the opening Of the Star Opera Com
pany. yet it is MY Judgment that the
opening Of this opera should be de-