davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19
By WILLIS STEEL.

TN the last thirty years millions of people
have passed through the main entrance
OF the Metropolitan Opera House. and
whether their visit to this temple of song
was one of custom or extraordinary not
one Of them could have failed to notice
standing alongside of the taker of tickets
tall, impeccably dressed gentleman-eve-
ming dress and silk hat If 8 =. NJ has struck,
morning dress and the same hat If the oc-
oasion be what is called a matinee.
He is always there, but his quiet, even
cold air and his reserved manner would
indicate to the stranger that his presence
due to mild curiosity and not to any
thing remotely connected with business. The
observant stranger. however may have no
ticed that the cool gaze OF this gentle
mans eyes is everywhere at once and sees
everything. Probably a director OF the
OPERA" murmurs the visitor from Pitts
burg.
But he is not a director He is Mr. Bull
and for as many opera seasons as in
cluded in these thirty years of service he
has had absolute and autocratic charge OF
the front OF the house" Except for week
or two last spring when a severe illness in
capacitated him, Thomas Bull has never
missed a performance.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19

dustry whose wealth was fabulous, to great
military commanders, to Cabinet Ministers
ano to their creators: in a word celebrities
are to me what the ballet is to the London
bus conductor who remarked Legs is no
treat and though / was inwardly awe1
whenever 1 conversed with these great men,
yet none of them produced upon perverse
mind the same thrill that has accompanied
my every meeting with a person of the stage.
Though / lived in middle Western vii
lage when l a boy / had met two or
three national celebrities before l was eigh-
teen. but it was not until was twenty
that met an actor. can still recall that meet
ing. He was a famous opera bouffe come
dian. playing at the moment in city near
our village. A chum of mine had taken on
vast dignity in my eyes by writing the words
and music Of topical song which he had
actually disposed Of to this actor. He and l
were strolling with an air of proprietorship
past the theatre when he caught glimpse
of the great man idly gazing at the photo
graphs of himself displayed in the foyer.
With assurance which seemed to me be-
yond praise my friend addressed him. The
celebrity bowed to me, exchanged a joke
with my friend, then strutted on debonairly
waving us good-by It was enough was
thral to the profession for life.
The thralldom was frightened A great
tress, the very Bernhardt of her land, made
the chains golden. It was at tea, / remember,
in her honor. I was still young. Shyly I
had gazed at her from the fringe OF the
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19

In that restricted space back stage. where
entrances and exits are timed to the second.
he is self conscious an unlimited pas
senger on a submarine in action.
Who does belong there? People with a
legitimate business back stage: Actors, stage
managers, scene shutters, electricians, stage
carpenters; musicians, In the subterranean
sionally IL they choose, representatives CT
the business management or the producer,
modify wandering rarely, playwright
librettst God knows why; scenic designer
costume artist; a stray newspaper inter-
viewer or artist: scrubwomen, after the
scenes are struck; and no other creature on
earth.
Standing there. l. who have real bust
ness in the place. am again disquieted by the
realization that on none of the occasions
when have been there have 1 found any
person who did not At into this list, excepting
myself only. Melancholy isolation-are there
no Van Bibbers in this generation?
yet cannot resist these intrusions upon
this laity which so fascinates me- If / were
to say that this affection has extended over
a period of twenty years without substan-
tial requital. the younger listener would
sharply dismiss the confessor to such dodder-
ing devotion. The veteran theatregoer may
nod approval / am unmoved by either
This is serene affection.
THE circumstances Of life have presented
me, face to face, in turn to captains OF in
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19

III 1t does not seem important for me to
know who is in the boxes at every per-
formance. the fact is otherwise. How could
L answer correctly telephone inquiry by
subscriber who calls up to know If Mrs. So
and So is in the house? / get these inquiries
at every matinee and night performance. and
it Is my pleasure as well as my duty, to
answer them correctly.
Il have under me twenty Eight assistants
ushers, ticket takers and others, and If this
number seems inadequate for so large
house. where an audience approaching 5000
IS usual. Ii is really not so. l make few
changes. Several men have been here as long
as / have, and they know their duties and
never neglect them On special nights of
gala, like the Prince Henry performance or
like Lilli Lehmann's farewell, l do not in
crease this number. having found that new
men, unfamiliar with the house. are more of
hindrance than help.
First Began in 1891 Season
And Recalls Every Incident
II came to the Opera House." said Mr..
Bull. In reply to a request for a few notes Of
biography, "in 1891, the last year of the
reign OF Edwin c. Stanton. l have been here
ever since, in the various capacities men
toned, but there was the interruption of
fire. you know glorious year of opera
-
Plancon, Eames, Melba and Calve were our
chief singers.
Great nights were those of Abbeys bene-
ht GS95) and the benefit performance for
Maurice Grau (there was a king), and the
receipts for tie latter performance touched
$4,000. The Parsifar performance. first
time In this country in the third year OF
Conried's management, saw a packed house.
standing room selling for $40.
II remember the New York debut of Ca
russo very we'll indeed. although subsequent
events only have made it memorable. That
wasn't big night. and tho great tenor APP
peared as the Duke in 'Rgoletto without
creating excitement. Sembrich's farewell
was n great event She was n popular artist
II there has ever appeared one on this stage
and 10 her style as a singer was contrib
uted great personal magnetism.
But the most democratic singer and the
most delightful woman and artist we have
known here was Nine. Lehman. She could
sing any role with almost uniform success.
She was loved by everybody here. and 1t is
q Joy to fttingly speak of her again.
Unfortunately the craze for German
opera had spread during Lehmann's finish
ing seasons here, and, as many people did
not hear her I'm the great italian roles. they
have no real idea Of her quality. use the
word unfortunately IN another sense. too.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19
He has the feel

The war had arrived, at the end or the
twenty years. She had been at the Front to
cheer her poilus: and she was telling me
their story, which the story of France
indomtable. How she told it, as none but
she could tell it. With what pathos, what
humor. what forgetfulness of the actress!
She no longer eloquent; she was more
than eloquent; she was woman of France:
she was France
Il no longer envy Van Bibber.
Besides the two, great American and
great Parisienne, 1 have met a myriad
others of the stage. and though these are
of no particular celebrity each one has awed
me as being native to that beloved land
Back Stage. And they are delightful even
when they pretending that they are Or
binary people like ourselves.
II recall an instance. 1 was dining one
night at the home Of the most staid indi-
vidual of my acquaintance. His other
guests, a select few, were as impeccaby
correct as himself. But among them, by
some chance which / do not explain, were
myself and an actor Of considerable reputa-
ton. I watched him with inward delight
because knew him to be ruffian like my
self. Faultessly attired and faultless in his
manner, he gave every indication of utter
identification with the society In which he
found himself. His small talk with the spin
ster on his right would have constrained
you to believe that he had never known
any other life than this
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19
Knows Every One Worth Knowing
Who Attends Even OCCASIONAL

He knows everybody in New York worth
knowing. That includes more people than
the phrase is usually supposed to cover. !;
means that he has a personal acquaintance
with New York society. that he shakes hands
with musical and other artists OF American
and foreign descent, that he is a friend OF
all newspaper men whose affairs take them
to the opera house. and II means, besides
that he can call the names OF men of all
degrees OF Importance In any walk of life
although their visits may be but one or two
in the season. His gift of memory is ex-
traordinary, including both names and facea
and very often In annoying and what might
easily become embarrassing situations for
the management IL has served them well.
That Mr.. Bull should be able to recognize
the regulars at the opera u.s. of course not
strange The subscribers have not changed
so much In quarter of century as some
people might think, and as he has charge
OF the sales OF subscription seats IL Is easy
to add to his acquaintance the newcomers
But his knowledge goes deeper than the
surface; In a very deliberate and business
like way he has collected valuable hints as
to the ways and manners the idiosyncrasies
OF clients that he draws upon at will
He Knows. for instance, when Mrs Dash
VIII come with her party to occupy her box
on her subscription night In the grand tier.
Mrs Dash invariably dimes her party before
the opera and their arrival IL timed for an
entrance As It might happen that
critical moment in the stage performance
would be Interrupted by the sudden appear
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19

w THO goes behind the scenes II
M/ theatres nowadays except thos
who have legitimate bushes
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19
Seating 100000 at One Time
Was Bulls Greatest lob

my biggest undertaking was The seating
of 100000 persons the stands extending
up town from the City Hall on the Colum.
bian celebration in 1892 Seats in these
stands sold from fifty cents up. and in
Washington square alone 10000 Seats were
occupied. | filled up all the stands twice
during that great week with no disputes, no
discussions, no riots. Everybody got the
seat his ticket entitled him to, and got it
right away
"Everybody's rights had TO be considered
and were considered. There was no favor
tism. and when an American crowd realizes
that ii Is getting what is coming to IL there
is no more easily handled crowd in the world.
/ suppose you would call this my biggest
achievement but IL wasn't so wonderful
seats were, as a matter of fact my assist
ants"
A few weeks before the close of the opera
last spring the house manager had n slight
stroke of paralysis and his right eye became
partly blinded by the formation of a blood
clot This gave rise to rumor that hc
contemplated retirement. II he did intend 20
quit he has reconsidered. His health Is Inn
proved and the sight of his weak eye Is
returning
Opera subscribers and operagoers of more
for any cause his tall, straight. impeccably
CARRIED figure and his observant eyes were
no longer TO be seen beside the charmed gate
as they passed through 1t to enjoy their
favorite diversion.
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19
No Trouble With Rail Birds.
As They Are Music Lovers

Never" said he. "or so very rarely as to
be negligible. In the main those standing are
real opera lovers, and in order to crafty then.
passion they take what comes and never
interfere or seek to with early Corners who
have taken up the best places. There is evon
sort OF unwritten law whereby standees
recognize the rights Of these first Corners and
reserve their places for them II for any rea-
son they temporarily quit them. Troubles"
he added sententiously, don't arise with
music fanatics; they are oblivious to per-
sonal discomfort"
In the early years OF his connection with
the house the manager used to go on the
road with the company at the end of its New
York season. but he does so no longer. For
five years. or during the Abbey, Schoeffel and
Grau incumbency. he managed Mechanics
Hall in Boston when opera was being given
In Off seasons he has taken on in different
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19

soon be changed All and called my head
ueher, go to the engineer at once and tell
him to throw cool air into the house.
"As the lady returned to her seat in the
orchestra circle AL went in one door and out
another. The director watched him. but
said nothing. In few minutes gentleman
from the same part of the house Joined us
and said: Bull, this house is way below
the comfortable point. 1 and all around me
freezing
els that So? l said; am sorry but we
will soon remedy that. All! calling my
head usher AGAIN., go right down to the
engineer and tell him to throw on some
pounds of steam, everybody is cold And
again AL went in one door and out another
THE director looked at me strangely and
remarked, L do not think that man is carry
ing out your orders
II simply asked him to come back to me
during the next interval. He did come back,
and as we were standing In the foyer the
lady who had been roasted passed us. I
asked her If she found the temperature inn
proved oh, thank you so much, said she.
the house Is perfect now The director
and had not ceased smiling when the gen
teman who had felt cold approached and
said, Thank you Mr.. Bull. for warming up
the house, temperature is perfect now"
The seating capacity of the Metropolitan
Opera House is technically 3,460, which Is
capable Of being stretched to 1897. There
is an increased capacity on Sunday nights
when the pit of the orchestra may be util
lied, as the men sit on the stage. Standees
are limited to 500, and the house manager
was asked IL trouble did not often come to
him through these rail birds"
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19

for German opera never paid. There was
deficit at the end of every season.
II have been absent from twenty per-
formances of opera in twenty mine years.
have never been late at any performance
when on duty. For the first fourteen years
of my connection with the house remained
here after the opera and until the building
was finally closed for the night Since then
l have delegated this duty to others, and
now leave soon the audience is out
of the house.
Our work on subscribers nights is not
hard. although 1t rarely fails that something
needing adjustment does not come up on
the night of a performance. Subscribers
know exactly where they are going and go
there. My ushers know the house in the
dark and can do their duty readily and we'll.
Everything a little beyond them is brought
to m" 10 settle II does not demand unusual
diplomacy to settle II.
Nevertheless IL must be admitted that to
run this great house smoothly all the time
takes constant watchfulness. 1t must strike
everybody who stops to think of the matter
that disputes and troubles of various kinds
might easily arise that would trouble the
serenity of the directors. These things do
not happen.
ION special performances. like the recent
Parsifal afternoon, my work and that of
my assistants is more than quadrupled
noon. The house is full of strangers they
are bound to go wrong, they are apt to be
dissatisfied when they find the places they
have bought by a chart not all that they
imagined and little things happen con-
stantly that somebody must smooth out.
That somebody is myself At the perform
arce just specified l was up and down. all
over the house from the orchestra circle to
the family circle three times before the cur
tain fell on the second act other matters
besides seatings kept me busy until the fall
of the final curtain.
One Striking Instance of
How Diplomacy Works
"a diplomat? Well. / don't know That
Is a big name to apply to my Office. II re-
quires some common sense of course and
knowledge of human nature. A little story
will describe the kind of thing we are con-
tinuay up against.
while talking to director Of the opera
the other evening lady approached me and
said:
"'Oh. Mr. Bull what is the trouble with
the temperature of this house7 II Is so very
warm: I'm suffocating and so is everybody
near where ! am sitting
Dear me. madam replied. I am sorry.
/ wish you had told me before, but that can
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19
Habits of Box Holders
Noted From Long Observation

First in her box at the opera nearest the
stage on the Thirty ninth street side on the
nights Of her subscription Is Mrs. Ogden
Goelet When she places IL at the DISPOSE
ton Of friends they are not always so
prompt. but when this friend Is Mrs. Enrtco
Caruso Ton Caruso mighty that lady emu
lates her hostess's example. The Juilliard
box directly opposite, Is later generally In
ming. Mrs. George J.. Rives occupies IL
on even Mondays and Mrs. Frederick Pear
son on Fridays.
From these two boxes as starting point,
the house manager mentally fllls the parterre
and grand tier with the socially prominent
persons whose names as they enter arc
brought to him by attendants. subsequently
he enters and studies the house for himself,
correcting slight errors that have crept into
the reports from lack Of such extensive
knowledge OF society az he himself Possesses
The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-12-19
Extends Almost
Faces Developing Diplomacy

ance of half dozen gay, laxative persons
in the front Of a prominent box, Mr.. Bull
has certain delicate little ways of OBTAINING
the party, If not to the interval then at
least until affairs on the stage have reached
a less absorbing scene.
How important these qNelling maneuvres
may be IL Is easy to understand, and how
easy II would be to offend patrons of the
opera may be comprehended also. But this
"autocrat of the front" wears q velvet glove
and his diplomacy is unfailng.
Little Book of Opera Facts
Invaluable in the Emergency
To exercise 1t there must be minute
knowledge OF the opera, and Mr.. Bull has
1t. In a little book that slips easily into
the side pocket of his evening coat are
facts that he has jotted down about every
score ever performed on the Metropolitan
stage BY consulting it he can tell you the
precise moment when the curtain rose on
any act Of "Parsifal" when Ternina was the
Rundry, and when 1t fell. He has the same
data when other performers took this role
and he has collated the same kind of facts
about every opera. II Is singular consider
ing the accepted human fallibiity how very
slight Is the difference Of time In the dura-
ton OF any Of them performed yesterday
ana quarter OF century ago.
hundred times In an evening" said this
mouse manager 81 am called on for this In
formation, not always for the opera in course
OF performance, but often for one set for a
future appearance Subscribers fix their en-
tertainments to suit certain parts of the
opera, aud they ask for very definite in
formation. IL could not be forthcoming
without reference to my little book"
The Washington times., 1920-06-30

vention, while she has breath in her
body and words on the end of her
tongue and powerful friends on the
credentials committee left.
Now and again, some woman who
has had son come home from
France-heart sick, soul-weary and
broken in body, raises a feeble voice
against article 10, OF the Leauge Of
Nations. Most of the women dele
gates turn and look at her as II she
were a serpent.
DON'T NOTICE -PICKETs.
Loyal in one thing, loyal in all"-
that's the motto of the women dele
gates-and anyone who even hints
that there could possibly be anything
wrong with anything Woodrow Will
son ever did, said, thought, or even
dreamed, has had hard time OF II
as a social being at this convention.
Wasn't II woman that said IL
you didn't believe that the whale
swallowed Jonah just like that-and
that Noah built the ark in exactly
forty days to the minute and shell
tered therein a pair OF every known
beast under the canopy-you might
as we'll be a Buddhist or Brahman,
or a heather in your blindness, OF
any SOTL-dnu De OOIle with IL. L Lhcic z .
no denying it, sisters. We're always
either "for" you or against" you
and I'm afraid we do not make our
selves very popular with those for
whom we are-"against."
The women picketers have not
created the sensation that was ex-
pected of them.
They march up and down near the
convention hall, but not too near the
delegates.
Some of them are young and pretty,
and some of them are middle aged
and determined, but they are all pa
tient and very quiet.
And the fickle mood OF the crowd
is turning, not against, but toward
them.
The banners are so heavy-they
carry them so uncomplainingly-a
they stand and walk there in the trade
wind, which begins to blow in from
the sea at this time of the year in
San Francisco-and advocate the
rescue of hungry children and advo-
cate the relief OF oppressed nations.
And somehow no one has the heart
tc criticize them very bitterly.
1 should not be surprised IL those
picketers and the two causes they
represent. Ireland and the embargo on
Russia, would affect somehow, some
little skimping kind of recognition
for their principles from the platform
committee, which appears to be keep
ing very wary eye upon weather
conditions in the women delegates
quarters.
The Washington times., 1920-06-30
HACERSTOWN COMPANY
( WOULD BOOST GAS RATE
Makes Application to Maryland
Service Commission, for New
July l Schedule.

HAGERSTOWN, Nd. June 30-The
Hagerstown Light and Heat Company,
which supplies this city with illumi-
mating gas. has made application for
permission to increase it's rates with
the Maryland Public Service Commis-
sion.
No schedule of rates was filed, the
matter OF fixing rates being left with
the commission. The company con-
tends that it has been operating here
at loss for five months. owing to
increase in the price OF labor and ma
terials. The company asked that the
new rate become effective in July.
The Washington times., 1920-06-30
.O.C.DELEGATES
SEE De VALERA
Accept Invitation Of Irish PresI
dent and Talk Over Plank
For Erin.
NJ . srAFF CORRESPONDENTS.

SAN FRANCISCO. Cal, June Sos-
John y. Costello. John B. Coipoys
Alvin @. Belt. ohm ]. Noonsn. ans
Timothy T. Ansberry OF the Distric
delegation yesterday had an hour
conference with Eamon De Vaiers
president OF the Trish Republic"
The District delegates went TO ID
Valera headquarters by special invt
tation. The District men EXPLAINS
TO the Irish leader the phases OF tn'
American political situation. ana toh
him the delegation stood ready u
do everything they could reasonaon
be expected to do in behalf OF iris'
freedom, both as individuals ana a
q delegation. ..t
De Valera said the interview gav
him q cleaner conception of the POLIO
ical situation. and thanked the p,s
trict men for their visit The Dis
trict delegates feel certain the resoiu
tions committee will write q piani
In the platform recommending
Congress favorable action on the Dis
trict's aspirations for suffrage Ihn
was as far, John y. Costello SAID, a.
the committee could DO expecteo
go.
Bainbridge Colby. member OF reso
lutions committee, and Senator f1
Harrison, both commended John Il
Coipoys for the manner in which n
presented the District claim.
District delegates said Mrs. Thom
as r. Walsh probably will be elected
the woman national committeeman
from the District, in accordance VIII
the action of the convention yester
day in placing a woman on the ma
tJon,I committee from each State ant
Terrftory and the District OF Co
lumbia to have equal power and au'
thority with the male national com
mitteeman. Mrs. Walsh is now asso'
ciate committeeman.
p~fccfiou: Horpford's Acid Phosphate
coId w.ter and fruit juice makes orihi
Of fne tonic propsrties-Advt.