wing memorandum:_

Who are you and who am I that can decide the financial value of
this play? The most extraordinary plays succeed, and many that
deserve a better fate fail; so how are we to know until after we
test a play before the public?

_In reply to Charles Burnham's invitation to attend the Theatrical
Managers' dinner, he wrote:_

Thank you very much, but my condition is still such that my game
leg would require at least four seats, and as we now have at least
several managers to every theater, and several theaters in every
block, I haven't the heart to accept the needed room, and thus
deprive them of any.

_Writing to E. H. Sothern and Julia Marlowe, in April, 1915, he said:_

I wonder why you don't both sail with me May 1 (_Lusitania_). As
far as I am concerned, when you consider all the stars I have
managed, mere submarines make me smile. But most affectionate
regards to you both.

_Writing to John Drew, who was willing to prolong his touring season in
1915, he says:_

All right. Why a young man like you cares to continue on his long
tours, I don't know. I hope to get away on May 1st and to return
shortly after you reach New York. Am in quest of something for you.
Our last talk before you left gave me much happiness.

_Refusing to book his attractions in a city for a week where three
nights were sufficient, he said:_

My stars like week stands, but they don't like weak business.

_To Haddon Chambers, in London:_

I am hoping to get off on the _Lusitania_. It seems to be the best
ship to sail on. I shall be glad to see you.

_Writing to S. F. Nixon, a business colleague, regarding Miss Barrymore
in "The Shadow":_

You are quite right as to the play being terribly somber. I thought
it a good idea to show what a representative American actress of
serious parts she was; so that next season we will offer a
contrast, and make the audiences laugh so much that they will be
compelled to crowd the theater. She will play then as humorous a
part ("Our Mrs. McChesney") as she did so earnestly a serious one.

_To J. C. O'Laughlin, of the Chicago_ Herald:

We managers have certain ideas about plays. We produce a play and
find our ideas and opinions often wrong. Our opinions are only
sound, I think, as far as the question of a play being actable is
concerned.