The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-04


M recently among the 'profes-
w sion" that X. & E., a firm
that for a period Of thirty years had
stood for theatrical sondity. were
about to sever partnership It was
credited to a revival of a rumor that
has several times raised its head.
There was no denial forthcoming from
either member Of the firm this time,
however. and stage people Of all ranks.
from star to super. waited to hear 1t
confirmed by them with sensational
establishment.
But there isn't to be any sensa-
tional feature connected with this dis
solution Of an old partnership embrac-
ing 20 much theatrical history. Mr..
KlAw II authority for the statement
that II viii function naturally. like
many other business arrangements
that have in time worn themselves
out. It Is his wish that 1t shoulc be
so. Il am not inclined to talk about
tho reasons of our severance" said
he, .and I certainly shall not deny
that It Is about to take place. 1t is
time It took place. The reasons for
It are personal, but quite satisfactory
to me-"
so there are not to be raked up Cos
sip, unjusttied talk, &c, accompanied
by q stream Of asseverations, denials
and determinations: there is to be no
carrying of the gates OF GAIA by
whichever partner takes the role OF
Samson to the dismay Cor the delight)
Of the Philistines. There is not to be
in any degree the regret that attended
the famous separation after a lifetime
together of the novelists and play
wrights Erckmann and Chatrian. be-
cause neither counted alone after
ward, but in this case It is likely that
in place Of one active and aggressive
theatrical force there will be two. All
tho same, the separation of Klaw and
Erlanger will make a date in theatre
cal annals worthy Of note. They have
been together three decades this May.
In fact. the articles Of copartner-
ship Of Marc Raw and Abraham Err
LANCER were signed October 4, 1888. but
the partners began actual business the
following May. Their assets then con-
sisted OF the fixtures and good will OF
the II. s. Taylor Exchange at % East
Fourteenth street, a contract with the
actress Fanny Davenport and $500
In real money. The business was that
Of q booking agency. 1t has taken q
wide sweep in the quarter century, Sc
wide indeed that 1t covers the whole
of these United States. involves the
yearly use of some $50 1000. 900. and the
firm, while still booking agents de luxe
Is numbered among the most impor-
tant producers of plays.
A copartnership 80 extended in time
and 30 productive of great things in
the world of drama and music de-
serves serious consideration by the
observer of the events OF that world
And in the character and personality
of the men who compose It no theatre
osl observer can fail to be interested;
ne needs no great divining powers to
appreciate at the outset the profound
difference between them. It takes moro
TO decide accurately which one has
been the dominating spirit.
A. l.. Erlanger is a forceful man and
this force may be measured offhant
by the enemies he has made. He forms
opinions and scarcely listens to argu-
ments meant to swerve him from
them: his disregard for obstacles. hui
man and physical. Is almost titanic
II no has made a mistake, and 1t IL
human to err, It may be doubted II
he ever realizes the error. Straight
forward toward the goal he has SET
has been his course and he has seldom
stopped to explain 1t or to smooth II
for the others who must accompany
him or be left behind. There have
been men like him in the world and
they have always made a mark which
future ages can read II they choose
10 initiate these historical characters
big but ruthless. one must be possessed
OF similar characteristics. Admirable
as these masterfui natures frequent,
are they are seldom lovablc. Nobody
loved Coriolanus, 1t is safe enough tc
say. but his mother.
Mr.. Raw might have been born II
Mars. he is SO different. A natura.
dipiomatist, suaye and easy In his con,