fSfsfs " spST'ipP- "wvl5-" ,yy!?,t1;
J f
BW
18
THE SUNDAY OBEGONrAN PORTLAM, JANUARY 21, 1900.
JIT DEBASED FOR MONEY
BLIGHTING TOUCH OP THEATRICAL
TRUST OX AMERICAN DRAMA.
ltir.e and Rapid Growth of a Power
ful Syndicate That Alms to Crash.
Oat Every Opposition.
During the past decade, so prolific in
the birth and growth pf gigantic trusts
and consolidations that have crushed all
weaker rivals to the earth, no syndicate
has been formed that has had a more rap
Id growth or far-reaching: Influence than
what is commonly called the theatrical
trust- This trust Is entirely mercenary
In its nature, and is designed to effect an
absolute, arbitrary monopoly of the the
atrical business of the country, regardless
of all other considerations whatever. Its
operations are casting a blight upon all
dramatic ventures not bowing to its do
minion and are attracting the attention of
ail lovers of the drama and thinkers
everywhere. There are few actors, man
agers of companies, or lessees or proprie
tors of theaters who have courage to defy
its mandates, and one learns, through
the columns of the press, of the disas
trous consequences almost inevitably fol
lowing all such displays of audacity.
The operations of the trust have even
invaded the musical field, and most of
the great operatic organizations of the
country feel the powerful grip of the or
ganization. Even the concert people are
not free from Its influence. Norman Hap
good, in an article In the International
Monthly for January, ably discusses this
gigantic evil, laying bare its origin, his
tory and general scope and purposes, with
a keen scalpel. Of the origin of the trust
iie says:
Its Origin.
"During the season of 1S95-C, it became
loaown that a combination was being
formed to control many theaters. The
spelling of the names of some of the
members varies, but after the present
method they were: Nixon and Zimmer
man, of Philadelphia; Itlaw and Erlanger,
and Hayman and Frohman, of New York.
By February, it was announced that 37
iirst-class theaters were in the hands of
the syndicate. To each of the houses 30
weeks of 'attractions were to be guaran
teed. The essence of the system, from
that day to this, with constantly increas
ing scope and power, has been that the
theaters take only such plays as the syn
dicate desires, and receive. In return, an
unbroken succession of companies, with
none of the old-time Idle weeks. Another
inducement to the owners of theaters
was the promise of better terms from
traveling companies; but the actual out
come of that idea is not so clear.
Avoidance of. conflicting plays, or of
a, series of plays too much alike, was
also one of the proposed advantages, but
this has turned out a difficult object to
aln, especially with the necessity of
changing all dates to suit big syndicate
successes; and many theaters have the
ordinary padding, farce comedies, for
wrtlts at a time."
The success of the trust was made pos
sble, Mr. Hapgood declares, by the pre
J,uus efforts of the firms comprising it.
HaMiian had obtained control of many
theaters in the West, and Klaw and Er
langer had captured the South. It is not
jicv-ssary for the control of a city to
have all its theaters in the hands of
the syndicate. Take San Francisco, for
example:
San Francisco's Plight.
That city has an independent theater,
the California, but few companies from
the Ea5t can afford to come to the Pacific
cuist, -without playing in such towns as
Kansas City. Omaha, Denver and Salt
Lake City, in all of which the leading
theaters are in the hands of the syndi
cate. When it Is remembered that most
of these are one-week stands, the ditti
cult of getting along without them will
be obvious, control of one-night stands is
less important. Of course. It Is possible
for a company, if It finds all the first
clp cs houses barred, to go Into second and
thiid-elass theaters, if there happens to
b.5 any. But this alternative, -which Is
neat enough in theory, has accomplished
litt e. The manager of a cheap theater
dislikes to raise his prices for a single en
gagemert, because the public will be dis
p'cascd, and he can only do it for particu
larly profitable companies. And an at
traction that goes to a theater out of its
class loses the advantage of the theater's
c ientele, and only a very strong attrac
tion can afford to do that. Mr. Hapgood
continues.
"The reception of the idea, when this
combination was first discussed, makes
a d-amatic contrast to subsequent history.
Slcnasers tried to organize in opposition
and immediately failed. Then the leading
artrrs took a hand, and their story is
ttuching. Nat Goodwin, Francis Wilson
and Richard Mansfield were the leaders
in an effort to form a combination of
stars, sTong enough to defy the syndi
cate and make their own dates with the
theaters, and their own terms.
Actora in Combination.
They said, with undoubted truth, that
tf there were a dozen very popular actors
who refused to give up their business in
dependence, the syndicate could never be
come a real monopoly and probably could
not last. Mr. Goodwin's lawyers, there
fore drew up an agreement, to be signed
by leading actors first, and later by as
many others as chose to join. Finally,
early in 1S9S, another agreement -was
signed by a few actors, to last until the
end of 1S99 It provided that, as "both
artistically and pecuniarily the good of
the many Is oelng subordinated to the
profit of the few by the combination be
fore mentioned, an association was to be
formed "for the promotion and protection
of an independent stage in this country.
"The members were to book either
through the executive committee of the
association, or directly, the only point
being that they should not book through
any agencies or exchanges; practically
meaning that they should not book
through Klaw and Erlanger. the booking
branch ot the syndicate, although they
cou.d play in the syndicate theaters, if
the local managers would deal directly
with them. A sum of $5000 -was to be for
feited by any member who did not keep
Oi's agreement and pay his assessments.
This agreement was signed by Francis
Wilson, James A. Heme, James O'Neill.
Richard Mansfield and Mrs. Minnie Mad
dern riske. Nat Goodwin had already
gone over to the syndicate. The high po
6 . on held by Joseph Jefferson made his
assistance very desirable. His views are
expressed in a signed telegram to the
New York Herald, March 13. 1S97, as fol
lows: iSr. Jefferson's Views.
"The first I heard of a theatrical syndi
cate was the receipt of a letter from one
of Its leading managers, desiring me to
play at one of Its theaters. At the same
f me I got a communication from one of
the ant.-synd cate managers, trusting that
I w ouid not join the new combine, which
he deprecated aa an unfair movement,
and asking me not to desert his house.
11 decafcd the offer of the syndicate
manager and acted with my old one. An
other old manager from one of the anti
eyndicate theaters wrote me in the same
strain, and asked my advice as to how he
should act to protect himself against the
'octopus who was gradually coiling him
self around the old, legitimate managers.
I was about to reply and encourage him
to meet the matter boldly, and that I
would stand by him, when, to my surprise,
I found that both of the old managers
had joined the 'octopus. "
The newspapers took up the fight, but
they soon became silenced, one by one.
An actor said, in an interview, that a
membei of his profession had safety only
in sLence; that he would loss, no matter
what side he took.
In March, 1S97, the Dramatic Mirror sent
out 65 letters to managers asking their
views. Only six replies were received.
Many expressions of opinion, however,
found their way into print. Some of these
follow:
"Business, Not Art."
William Dean Howells said: "Not
merely one industry, but civilization Itself
is ebneerned, for the morals and education
of the public are directly influenced liy
the stage. Every one who takes a pride
In the art of his country must regret a
monopoly of the theater, for that means
business and not art."
Thomas Bailey Aldrlch declared that
the Inevitable result of a theater trust
would be "deterioration In the art of
acting and discouragement of dramatic
literature," and Richard Mansfield wrote:
"Art must be free. I consider the exist
ence of the trust or syndicate a stand
ing menace to art Its existence Is, in
my opinion, an outrage, and unbear
able." All this time Francis Wilson and Rich
ard Mansfield kept up a constant fire in
speeches before the curtain. On one oc
casion Mansfield said: "We are in the
hands of the enemy; God help us."
On January 24, 1S9S, Mr. Mansfield sue-
"DIAMOND QUEEN OF RUSSIA."
Jm fwf i --fK" Wg$ ry
. - j ,
-5 -"-i . I
'""" "i . i i it
MOST BEAUTIFTJIj DANCER IN EUROPE,
Marie fie Iibounskaja, of the imperial Russian ballet, and who is declared by her crazed
admirers to be the most teautlful woman in Europe, Is creating a sensation at the various
Continental capitals by her dancing:, ana the fabulously costly costumes she wears. The latter
fairly blaze with diamonds, many of them worth thoucands of dollars each, and aggregating
immense sums in -value. The fascinating dancer is making a tour of the great cities, by es
pecial permission of tho czar of Kussia, who has granted her a furlough from St. Petersburg
for the purpose.
cumbed. Then Mr. Herne became silent.
Th-s left Mrs. Fiske and Mr. Wilson
practically alone In the fight; they were
still standing by their guns. Toward the
i n iRQQ hnwever. Francis Wilson, who
had talked so sharply, was offered $50,-
000 for a half interest in nis ousmess Dy
one of the firms in the syndicate. He
asked one night to consider the offer and
then accepted.
"Mrs. Fiske," comments Mr. Hapgood,
"now stands alone. Some people expect
to see her jield also. I do not. If tho
syndicate process of absorbing theaters
goes on, she may be able to play but a
few weeks each season in America, or not
at all, but the chances seem to be that
she will be found with her colors flying,
and her reputation still higher, when the
time comes for the syndicate to disin
tegrate through Its own excess of power."
Mr. Hapgood very aptly concludes his
paper as follows:
Is it well that such power should be
in the hands of six business men, some
with clean records, others with black ones,
but all uncultivated? Is not the produc
tion of 'The Conquerors' alone sufficient
to answer this question? Is not .the
dearth of repertories, of great dramas, of
AmpHorm nlavs. enouffh? Much stresa'is
laid on the taste for crude, comic and
melodramas treatment of sexual mat-
ters undoubtedly shown by members of
fhA vndlcate. but Indecency seems to me
a far less pervading fault than empti
ness. "From this vacuity and restriction the
only escape is a break in the power of
the trust. Among methods for accom
plishing this, the surest and most abiding
would be the establishment of theaters
in large cities, owned by cultivated peo
ple; open to worthy productions, but pro
vided with the nucleus of a company with
a repertory." ,
Just a Little Country Paper.
It's Just a little paper It isn't up to date;
It hasn't any supplement or colored fashion
plate.
It comes out every Friday, unices the forms are
pied;
The outside is home-printed, with boiler-plate
inside.
It hasn't any cable direct from old Bombay,
But it says that "Colonel Braggin3 is in our
midst today."
It doesn't seem to worry about affairs of state.
But it tells that "Joseph Hawkins has painted
his front gate."
It neer mentions Krugcr or Joseph Chamber
lain, But says that "Thompson's grocery has a new
window pane,"
And that "the mission, workers will give a fes
tival," And "tfjere'U be a temperance lecture in Will
iam Hooper's hall."
It tells about the measles that Jimmy Hankies
had.
And says that Israel Johnson "has become a
happy dad."
It says that "cider-making is shortly to com-
sence,"
Ana cites the fact that Ira Todd is building a
new fence.
It mentions Dewey's coming in one brief para
graph. And says that "Charlie Trimble has sold a year
ling calf."
And eicryihing that happura within that llttla
town
The man who runs the paper has plainly jotted
down.
Some people make fun of it, but, honestly, I
like
To learn that "work is booming upon the Jim
town pike."
It's Just a little paper it hasn't much to say
But no long as it is printed I hope it comes my
way.
-iJosh Wink in Baltimore American.
COMBAT Of HAIRY TITANS
i MALE GORIMAS FIGHT TO A FINISH
IN AN AFRICAN FOREST.
Death the Portion of the Vanquished
and the Prize of the Victor a
Coy Gorilla Maiden.
"After the adjustment of our little un
pleasantness with the South," said Captain
Jack Benton, to a New York Sun man, "t
drifted back into civil life. It seemed
monotonous, however, after the excite
ment of campaigning, and, receiving an
offer to go to Africa and collect animals
for menageries, I jumped at It. My work
took me Into the interior of Upper Guinea,
which was then about as wild a country
as there was in the world.
"One morning I left camp to make a cir-
cult of some traps we had set in the
night, and, as I wasn't on the lookout
for big game, I took only a light rifle
with me. Trudging through the woods, I
came on a little clearing, and there, not
50 feet away, I saw a big male gorilla. He
was on all fours, half-squatting on the
ground.
"Equipped with only a light rifle, I had
no ambition to meddle with the beast. I
slipped back Into the underbrush, and was
about to make off as quietly as possible
when the peculiarity of the gorilla's ac
tions attracted me. He seemed to be try
ing to look as amiable as was possible for
such a monster, and a second glance
showed me the reason for this." At the
right of the clearing was a second gorilla,
smaller, but equally ferocious looking, a
fitting mate for the first big brute. I had
evidently discovered a gorilla courtship.
'Tho male gorilla, trying to attract
the attention of the female by uncouth
motions, was beginning to advance clums
ily toward her, when suddenly a dull
boom! boom! sounded from far away in
tho forest. Up to that Instant the male
gorilla, while savage-looking, had given
no sign of being angry, but now all was
changed. His huge jaws shut together
with a snap. Then through the silence
which had fallen on the jungle when the
first sullen challenge was heard came a
sharp bark, followed by a deep, humming
sound.
Battle Call of Gorilla.
"It was the terrible battle call of a full
grown gorilla, the cry sent out when he
is about to fight to tho death for a mate.
THE JUGGLER
At the end of each echoing challenge the
hairy giant beat with his big hands on his
chest, while at the other end or the clear
ing, waiting to bestow her hand on the
v.ctor, sat the female gorilla whose charms
had inspired such jealous rage.
"Suddenly there was a little flurry at the
left end of the clearing, and the chal
lenger broke through the bushes Into plain
sight. He was worthy to do battle with
the first giant. I could see he was a
veteran, with the scars of many battles
on him. His big lips were rolled up in
a grim snarl, showing broken teeth and
great gaps, the result of former battles.
Both gonllas were taller than the average
man as they stood on the'r hind feet for
battle, but their enormous breadth of
chest and shoulders made them look like
squaiting,, hairy giants In fighting ability
both seemed equal, for while the second,
older gorilla had evidently been In more
"battles, yet the one I had first seen In the
jungle had an advantage in strength and
youth.
"Neither of the big animals wasted time
in preliminaries; they bad. worked them-
selves up into such an insanity of rage
that only ' killing1 would satisfy. Each
advanced on his hind legs until within six
feet of the other. Then 'the younger go
rilla began to fight. Stepping forward
with marvelous quickness for such an un
galnly animal, hetruck a flall-llke blow
with his huge pawsr Had the blow gone
home, no mere flesh and blood, not even
the big-boned frame of his antagonist
could have withstood it. But the old
gorilla had been n too many death grap
ples to be caught so early in the fight.
Even as the big arm" swung around he
sprang forward, coming in close so as' to
miss the full forco of the swing. The
next Instant he had swung his own arm
around the younger gorilla's neck, en
circling It with four feet of steel muscles
and holding his enemy's head stiff upright,
so that he could not bring the terrible teeth
Into play1.
Gets a Grip.
"Then the old gorilla opened his heavy
jaws, and getting a firm grip on the right
shoulder of tho younger gorilla, held on
like a bulldog, tearing his way through
tho knotted muscle' and sinews and shoul
der blade of his opponent. At the same
time che left arm of the old fighter
wrapped itself about the younger gorilla
in a rib-breaking grip.
"It was only for an instant, however,
that things looked so desperate for the
younger fighter. The first gorilla's
splendid fighting ability and tremendous
strength showed themselves. Whirling up
his left arm he fastened' his long fingers
8Out his antagonist's .throat arid tried to
break his grip and shove his head back.
At first the only effect of this was to
make the old fellow tighten his grip on the
other's shoulders. Then the younger gorilla
put forth all his strength. I could see
the muscles of his arm, shoulders- and Dack
gather themselves into big knots and
bunch up as if they would break through
the skin. Tho murderous desp-set eyes
started forward until they were level with
the cheekbones. A last desperate effort
and the big head went back, the tightly
closed jaws of the old gorilla tearing
out flesh and sinews as they were shoved
away, but not ungrlpped. Then the old
lighter's right arm slowly and reluctantly
uncoiled from the other's neck. The
younger gorilla had broken the death grip.
Both big fighters were momentarily free
and stepped back to regain breath.
"Although wounded, it was the younger
gorilla that made the attack. This time
he did not waste any efforts on blows
with his huge paws. When they had ap
proached almost within striking distance
the younger of the fighters made a rush.
He received a blow on the head that would
have crushed a man's skull. It scarcely
staggered him. Then both his long arms
wrapped themselves about his opponent's
neck and, holding his antagonist tightly
clasped, he began biting with fierce energy,
not a steady gripping bite, but furious,
tearing gnashings, which ripped skin and
flesh from face and shoulders and chest.
Trial of Strength.
"The older gorilla was taken by surprise
at this sudden rush and change of tac
tics by his opponent. But though at a dis
advantage, he was too old a fighter to be
easily dismayed. First he secured a grip
on his opponent's throat, and straining
every muscle, tried to tear himself free
from the infuriated grasp of the younger
beast. He might as easily have broken
a steel cable aa the strangling hold of his
enraged opponent. Then the older fighter
relaxed his grip on the other's throat,
and placing both his big human-like paw3
on the youngers face, tried to force hia
head back.
"This brought out a terrific trial of
strength. If the old gorilla could force
the other's head back, he would be free
and might perhaps break his enemy's neck.
Each of the huge fighters seemed to know
this and put forth all of his giant strength.
Back, shoulders, arms and neck were
called into play, the heavy muscles rippling
up and gathering into big knots. Th&
snarling growls, which had marked tne
beginning of the fight, had died away.
Each animal was silent. A stillness
seemed to have fallen on the whole jun
gle, and the crackling of the twigs and
dry leaves seemed unnaturally loud as the
two gigantic fighters came to the supreme
struggle.
"For what was probably half a minute,
but seemed an hour, the two semihuman
shapes stood there putting forth every
energy. At last the younger fighter's
face was within two inches of his oppo
nent's head. The younger gorilla made a
supreme effort, twisted his head suddenly
and before his opponent could dodge had
fastened his teeth In a death grip on the
throat of the veteran fighter.
"The veteran was borne backward, carry
ing his foe down with him. Unless- he
could loosen the grip on his throat he was
doomed, and the old fighter knew It. Over
wcia
anil nvp.r nn thA e-rrmnrJ tho wn Vinco anaa
rolled, fighting desperately, but without
sound save for the shrill hissing of their
breath as it was forced from their heav
ing chests. The veteran of many a hard
fought jungle battle knew his own end
had come.
His Death Wall.
"Up to. this- time the battle had been
nniylif 4vi plTAt.nA Vt. n 4-VtA 1Jl MAM.11
gave up the contest and felt the teeth of
hi antarnn't Rmkw r fln(i nr
.wo amaaun. onions uGcyei auu. ueciJCi
into his throat, the pain was greater than
he could bear. He broke into a walling
cry that echoed through the Jungle. I
have heard the death cry of many ani
mals, but never a call like that of the
aying gorilla. For it was not like an an!
mal, but the wall of a man in overmaster-
lng pain, a choking half sob, half shriek.
Again and again it rose up. I lifted my
rifle and then lowered It, for I could not
help the old gorilla, and to meddle In that
fight with only my light rifle meant my
own death. The half human wall broke
out again, but while I was standing irreso
lute, it ceased. The fierce, hard-flghting,
hard-bltlng younger gorilla had been work
ing his way through his antagonist's throat
and had at last bitten through the wind
pipo. The great fight was over, and the
AND THE LADY; OR THE SECRET REVEALED.'
veteran of many similar contests had met
the fate he had meted out to others.
"I watched the younger ape, as If fas
cinated, while he wreaked his revenge on
the body of his dead enemy. Then, with
a start, it occurred to me that I would
suffer a similar fate If I stayed in that
-vicinity. -But I had no real cause for anx
iety. The gorilla had other matters to
think of. The last glimpse I had of the
conqueror was as, with the glare of battle
still in his eyes and covered from head to
foot with his own blood and that of his
enemy, he marched off in triumph toward
her for whom he had fought ao desperately
and eo well."
Forjretr-IIIe-Nlts.
'Tls a comical tale of a German gent,
Who only spokofEngllsh in spots;
He wished to present, jsjb a compliment.
To a lady "Forget-me-nota."
The fable goes on that this, German gent,
Who only spoke .English in bits,
Still can't understand why she laughed as ha
bent,
And presented 'Forget-me-sats."
Judy.
SYBARITICGOTHAft? DAMES
TURKISH BATH PARTIES, "WITH
DAINTY LTJNCHBS, LATEST FAD.
New Yorlc "Women of the Swell Set
Adopt diatoms of Ancient Rome.
Luxury Gone Mad.
The Turkish bath habit has won a place
among the fads of the New York woman,
and appears to be running neck and neck
with the woman's club as a time-consumer.
At least, that Is the Impression one ob
tains by frequent visits to certain well
known Turkish baths for women. For
more than a year, says the New York
Sun, this particular establishment has
given New York tho distinction of possess
ing the finest baths for women in the
RICHEST 'MAN
ml lip ,ffip i
t 1fve I
The new Duke of Westminster, who has Just succeeded to his grandfather's titles and es
tates, is the richest man in England, and bears one of the proudest names in the British peer
age. He at present serves his country as an aide-de-camp on the staff of Sir Alfred Milner,
the governor and commander-in-chief of the Cape of Good Hope and its dependencies. The
duke, better known under his former country title of Viscount Belgrave, will come of age next
March, should he not fall in the campaign. He is a second lieutenant of the Cheshire Yeo
manry cavalry. The accompanying portrait of the young man is from the Jfew York World.
United. States; and, in that year, the pro
prietor's knowledge of feminine character
has been justified.
"If a thing is to take with women who
(have money to spend, it must be chic,""
he said, and he proved his point by chang
ing the Turkish bath for women, whlcn
was. formerly, rather a forlorn perform
ance, to a luxurious function, with nu
merous incidental opportunities for self
indulgence and money-spending. He didn't
lose any of his ascetic worshippers or
cleanliness, or his rheumatic and nervous
patients, and he gained a carriage clientele
that makes the street in front of the baths
.. ..M A .
suggest an aiiernoon reccyuuu Ui . m-
I mee.
It was a social innovation much com
mented upon several years ago that gave
the philosophical proprietor his suggestion.
A well-known woman gave a Turkish bath
party at his old establishment; and, after
the women had gone on to a dinner ana
dance, and the bathrooms were deserted.
(the deus ex machlna entered, sat down
amonir the scattered flowers and violet
.4. ..! Uti Vilmcralf '1ti llfftch tVimif?Vlt "
, When he came out of the trance, he said
to the pier glass: "Why not more Tur-
, . . . - -.. m- . 1m. -,lncD v,ov.
lng a j. many 6urprising things
i vjat evening, didn't offer any argument,
and that's how it all came about.
The old rooms were torn out. Marble
and onyx and nickel plate replaced tin
and Iron and lead In the plumbing. Hard
wicker and leather and iron cots gave way
' to luxurious divans; velvet carpets and
Oriental rugs and tiling shoved aside oil-
cloth. Effective hangings, soft lights and
mirrors were scattered about promiscu
ously. Private rooms, with accommoda
tions for luncheon parties, were provided.
Bath Parties Sow Common.
Then the women were left to do their
part, and they did it. Now Turkish bath
parties are as common as matinee par-
ties. Indeed, the two go hand in hana;
Meggendorfer Blaetter.
for. every Saturday morning, the bath
rooms are filled with women who come
in groups of two or three or four; take
their baths and massage; have their hair
cferessed and their nails manicured and
then appropriate the divans in one of the
private rooms, rest and gossip, have lunch
eon served to them and finally make
leisurely toilets in time for the matinee.
Sometimes, the party is a -mutual affair,
and each member pays' her own expenses;
but the same people meet at a certain hour
each week. More often some one woman
entertains the others, and the entertain
ment is elaborate, according to the host
ess' inclination and Income. The matinee
Sirl may merely give her friends Turkish
baths and chicken salad, or there may be
huge bunches of violets on the pillows
of each divan, and an epicurean luncheon
eerved on the little tables. Flowers have
become quite a feature of the bath. 0
There was a time when a Turkish bath
was something occult and mysterious,
referred to only in whispers, and Indulged
dn with sensations of guilt; but that time
is past. So, if a woman devotes a certain
morning or afternoon each week to the
Turkish bath, her friends are likely to
know it; and It is" quite the proper thing
to send flowers to her at the bathrooms.
When she has been steamed and
scoured and plunged and massaged and
perfumed, she snuggles down upon a
coucht with her violets or roses, and dozes
and dreams in an Arabian Nights sort of
comfort; and the relaxation does more for
her nerves than, all the tonics that could
be prescribed for her. .
According to the bath attendants, how
ever, the women think more about their
complexions than their nerves. A good
complexion is the acme of every woman's
desire, and there's a theory afloat to the
effect that steam and water and massage,
applied to the whole body, will do more
for the complexion than- all the cold cream
and cosmetics on the market. Hence these
bathers.
To Improve Complexion.
"Nine out of 10 women," says a bath
attendant, "come to us in the hope of
improving their complexions. They stay
wlt!h us because their skin does improve
and because they learn to enjoy the batna
and depend upon them Instead ot medl-
IN ENGLAND.
cine. We have almost all the actresses
and singers. They have t use cosmetics
in their profession, and .aey know the
things will ruin their skin if not often
thoroughly removed. So they come here
and take an extra dose of the steam room.
That opens the pores of the face and
takes out all the paint and powder and
that sort of thing. Of course, those pro
fessional people think a great deal about
their figures, too, and the baths and spe
cial massage keep them In shape, ana
then, any one whose work is a nervous
strain, needs just such relaxation as the
bath gives."
"Isn't there danger of too great relaxa
tion in case of heart trouble?" asked the
reporter.
"That's a bugaboo; there Iff danger if one
is subject to heart disease; but none even
then if proper precautions are taken and
the baths are rationally managed. The
dangar lies in the employment of bath at
tendants who do not know their business.
No woman with chronic and pronounced
heart trouble has any right to take Turk
ish baths without warning the attendant
or bringing a doctor's prescription; but, on
the other ha d., JJJJ???
"frfaUent carefully and ouW be com-
petent to detect the slightest symptom of
danger. Wo do not employ any woman
here who has not taken a certified course
in massage and electrical treatment, and
most of our attendants have taken at least
part of the course required of trained
nurses. We try to give regular patron3
the same attendant each time, so that the
latter may understand the case perfectly.
"With strangers we exercise the greatest
care, and at the least suggestion of ex
haustion, whitening of the lips, shadow un
der the eyes, paleness and so on, we take
the patient out of the heat and give stim
ulants. To delicate or old people, and with
children, we do not allow any extreme de
gree of heat to be applied; and, often, wo
omit the steam room altogether. Then we
use Judgment about the cold shower and
plunge. Some people cannot stand the
shock, and we do not take any chances.
There have been cases of heart trouble in
Turkish baths, but not so many as at
dances and on the streets; and, because of
the precautions, there is really less danger
here than elsewhere."
"You spoke of old people. Do you have
any really old ladles7"
Merry Old Lady-.
'To we? Well, rather. Any number of
them. One 81 years old comes here every
Thursday. She says her Turkish baths
and her grandchildren are the greatest
pleasures she has In life. Her doctor
brought her here first to be treated for
rheumatism, and gave us rigid Instruction.
The old lady had to be carried In from, her
carriage. Now she comes trotting in, with
her maid, as merrily as you please; hasn't
had a touch of rheumatism for two years,
and does more advertising for us than our
regular agent. She gave her little grand
daughter a bath party here last month
had six little tota about 7 or 8 years old
and they had the greatest lark imaginable.
You ought to have seen them swim in the
pool. The grandmother ordered a lovely
lunch for them, and had the cutest little
dolls done up in sheets Turkish bath fash
ionfor souvenirs, and then sent them
all off with the governess."
The number of children who go regularly
to the Turkish baths- is surprising. A
large percentage of them are sent because
their mothers believe it is good for their
general health; and nurses who bring them
turn them over to the attendants with
sighs of relief. But still more surprising
than the number of healthy children sent
to the baths is the number of them tak
ing the baths as a cure for rheumatism
and nervous troubles.
"I don't know whether the condition is
new,'' said the attendant, "or whether the
same conditions have existed for a long
time and only recourse to the bath treat
ment is new; but it is a fact that, within
the last.few years, we have had a most
astonishing number of children, often not
more than 2 or 2 years old, brought to ua
suffering seriously from rheumatism and
nervous diseases,"
FOOD MOLDS CHARACTER
ACCORDING TO KIXD PARTAKEW OF,
SUCH IS MAX'S JTATUItE.
Boe Inspires Courage, Porlc Breeds
Melancholy, Lamb Imbecility, aiiiT
Mustard Preserves Memory.
What influence, if any. has food over
human character? is a question that cer
tain European physiologists have been
trying to find an answer for during some
time past, and now; one of them an Eng
lishmanannounces several important
discoveries, which seem to demonstrate
conclusively that food is a most impor
tant factor in governing the actions of
human beings.
Every kind of food, wo are told, pro
duces a distinct effect upon the charac
ter of the person who consumes it.
Thus, If a man were to eat nothing but
beef for a few months; the inevitable re
sult would be that he would become ab
normally energetic, courageous, and. per
haps foolhardy to the verge of insanity.
If he were to continue this beef diet for
some time longer, he would become aa
untamable as a wild bull, and it would
be dangerous for any one to approach;
him. This would prove true even though;
he might naturally be a man of the mild
est character.
Pork as an exclusive diet is not rated
any higher than beef. Much of the mod
ern pessimism may perhaps bo rightly
ascribed to it. for we are told that it
breeds melancholy and sadness, and that
overindulgence in it Is likely to lead to
suicide. Even the most refined persons
become coarse and brutal under its in
fluence, and the most inveterate gour
mand will In time become disgusted with;
life and its pleasures.
lamb leads to Imbecility.
Unhappy, too, will speedily become the
mental condition of those who feast con
stantly on lamb. No matter how bright
and clever they may be-, they cannot
long resist the Influence of the sportive
but stupid little animals which have
gradually become part of themselves,
and imbeciles they will surely become
If they do not in good time recover their
lost intellect by three square meals a day
of some food less debilitating than lamb.
A constant diet of veal is not desirable,
as it tends to make the muscles too soft
and the character too effeminate. Prize
fighters, soldiers and all others who have
need of physical or intellectual courage
are advised to abstain from it. There is
a tradition that from time immemorial
henpecked husbands have been great con
sumers of veal. If this be true, their
lack of courage on critical occasions is
easily explained.
Milk and eggs diet Is recommended by
this fin de siecle physiologist as a con
stant diet for any young lady who de
sires to obtain a very beautiful soft and
white skin. Pure cow's milk, .he says,
never exercises any bad influence elthar
on the bodies or on the characters of
human beings. Sheep's milk, being moro
oleaginous, has an exhilarating: effect on
the system, and any one who consumes
an unusually large quantity of butter
daily will gradually become very paciflc
and lazy, and -wilt In the end suffer- con
stantly from fatigue, firom which he will
find it impossible to arouse himsalf.
Strong cheese, if eaten in moderation,
is said to be excellent as a sedative, and
is recommended to persons who are too
nervous and excitable, but If eaten con
stantly and in large quantities. It is safct
to produce the same obnoxious effect as
pork.
Eat lots of Uses.
Those who would strengthen their in
tellect and their muscles at the staae
time are advised to eat many eggs dairy,
and those whose main object is to im
prove their memory and to retain it un
impaired up to the day o thaiQ death, are
assured that It is thfeir bounden duty to
take a large quantity of strong mustard
with every meal. Fish as a constant diet
Is not recommended to any one. Inded.
it is anathematized in rather bitter terms.
"Persons who eat nothing but fish," are
the warning words, "will soon bo on, a
level with the fish- eating inhabitants of
the north of Siberia, who are the stupid
est creatures In the world." As for po
tatoes, experience shows that an exclu
sive diet of them produces Indescribable
ennui and a feeling; of Intellectual and
physical weariness.
Indeed, an exclusive diet of vegetables
Is said to produce most lamentable re
sults', and vegetarians are informed. In
pretty plain language that they are un
dermining their constitutions by abstain
ing wholly from animal food. The valuo
of vegetables Is admitted, but only when
they are used with other articles of food.
When used alone and constantly, they
invariably make the flesh soft and tho
muscles flaccid, and at the same time the
eyes begin, to lack luster, and vigor de
parts even from the roots of tho hair.
Worse still, the brain gradually loses
its cunning and Is powerless to do any
durable work.
Quite the contrary Is the case wrien
fruit of any kind forms the frequent
diet of a person. Excellent, we are told,
are fruits, one reason being because they
produce a most pleasant exhilarating ef
fect without enervating the brain, as al
cohol does.
The After-Money Beggar.
When you've shouted "Happj'New Year." wfcea
you've done jour swearing off.
When you've clone jour twentieth century biz.
You will notice there s a fellow with a rasping
sort of cough
He's the New Year3 bill collector that ha to.
He's an after-money beggar, hla tenacity la
But jou'and me must take him. as we find
him.
He is out on active service, wiping something
oft the slate.
And he tries to leave receipted bills behind
him. Brown's bill Smith's bill bills from, a hundred
more.
Billa for tho coal and bills for flour are falling
due today.
Every collector will do his work as eoon aa ha
enters the door.
And this is the sound he will sing to you:
Oh, pay pay pay.
There are bill3 for things you purchased so doriff
ago they've slipped
From your mem'ry hut they'll all coma up
today.
There's the man who wants the money for the
overcoat that ripped.
Though at the time you swore you'd never
pay.
There are bills you ran up casual now you'ra
sorry that you did,
For the after-money beggar, he will find you.
And until you settle with him, why ot him. you
can't be rid.
For you'll always hear hla rasping cough be
hind you.
Gas bill meat bill bill for a ton of icet
(Isn't that a cheerful thing to have to meet
today?)
It isn't a comic opera it doesn't sound half
so nice
To hear this chorus arise and sing that
Pay pay pay.
There are Chrtetmas presents, maybe, that you
wish you hadn't sent.
And posstbll a bill for some old rye,
(Which makes- you think how llttla your "swear
off" of last year meant).
And some bills for things you know you didn't
buy.
But the after-money beggar he don't cara &
rap for that.
He's as heartless and as soulless as a clam.
It you pay him. ha will leave tho room aa
softly as a cat
Ifijou don't, he'll give the door a nasty slam.
Shoe bill drug bill bill for a new straw hat I
Thlnlc of the nere to hand In a bill liko
that today.
This is the month they've got to come you
can't get away from that.
Dig In your purse for credit's sake, and
Paj pay pay.
Baltimore American.
V