The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-12-07

 in Fifth avenue:
 Today MT. Charles l.. Wagner's of- flee, the most commodious and hand somely appointed musical office in the metropolis, does about one million dol- lars worth of business a year. Local managers who may not know ihim personally come to his office with , their hats in their hands as they would before some king or potentate, in fear and trembling, hoping that he will honor them by allowing his artists to appear under their auspices. And are received graciously!'
 Imagine little old me from little old Birmingham, with my little old short dress on and my brand new little blue 1 bonnet with a little blue feather on it. 1 dashing into the kings drawing room all by my little old self, scared blue in the face (to match my bonnet). and finding the stunning MT. Wagner. Well, anyway, we got along famous ly; it couldn't be otherwise with this nice young man, and in 10 minutes felt like we were old friends-life-lo friends, so much lat home" did he make me feel, and so encouraging and appre- ciative did he seem of the efforts being made by the "All-Star Concerts" in Bir- mingham.
 Mr. Wagner at the time was waiting
  Carlo, and knowing my admiration for the beautiful prima donna, he forth with declared:
 T shall tell Miss Garden that you have called"
 Of course, that pleased me to death, because one of the seven deadly sins that I'm guilty of is an almost worship full adoration for this wonder woman mine and Mir. Huneker's (and MT. Wagners) super woman"
 Just seven years ago MT. Wagner went to New York. a tall, slender, youngish looking man, with grayish hair and-the Lord be praised---a "sense of humor." and determination to make a place for himself in that great city.
 New York is proverbially cold to the newcomer. It has little use for un- known quantities and it's cordiality is ready arrived" So Charles L. Wag- ner spent several weeks keeping chairs warm in the ante-rooms of some of the best New York musical bureaus, wait ing in vain for a manager who would have sufficient confidence in him to share his purse and office with him Finally the opportunity came which de- veloped him into business for himself.
 This sudden rise to prominence and pOWeT HdkeS oI MT. w 6s5 ucr an lnteT- esting subject for exa m i n i o n. What have been his methods? What are the principles that have guided him in the conoduct of his business which have brought him this success and power? These questions were in my mind when I chatted with him that day in New York for so much of ouu musical life is wrapped up in the head of this one man that I was anxious to have him tell me his story.
 There are no secret paths to suc- cess in the musical managing busi- ness." MT. Wagner declares. What we need is more managers and fewer agents. The whole business can be stabilized only when it Is controlled Then it should be a regular business, employing regular business methods without reference to the blue sky.
 Nor is it purely matter of luck, as some folks think. One of my friends intimated as much. once. when we were discussing the great success of John Mccormack. I was told that I couldn't do it again. So I went out and got Mary Garden!
 T don't believe in the manager who arrives at his office at II o'clock a. m., takes two. hours for luncheon and goes golfing from three to four. In my own case it has been a matter of the hard est kind of hard work
 T believe in big box office attrac- tions," said Mir. Wagner. and that's why I put out my famous trio this season -- Carolina I4azzari, Renato Zanelli and Grace Wagner, with Frank La Forge at the piano. I even sug- gested to Melba and Schumann- -Heink once joint recital tour with Frank LaForge as shock absorber' It would be wonderful so here's tip to their managers!'
 T am accused of writing fresh let-