Jan. 24, 1908 (Friday)

CONRIED RESIGNS FROM POST AT OPERA HOUSE: The curtain is about to come down on the career of Heinrich Conried, the director of New York City's Metropolitan Opera House (above). A reporter for The New York Times says Conried is leaving his post because his doctor says he'd be dead if he stayed on the job for another year. Conried gained fame when he brought "Parsifal" to New York. He lost lots of support when he brought "Salome" to the city.
The first person the board asked to take Conried's place was Gustav Mahler, but he declined.

JUDGES DECISION INDICATES THAT AUTOMOBILES ARE BECOMING UNAVOIDABLE AND A PART OF ANY HOME: A judge has apparently made an official ruling that automobiles are here to stay -- in Brooklyn at any rate. The ruling dealt with John Love's lawsuit against neighbor Arthur Luscher. He was upset that Luscher had built a GARAGE on his property. Zoning allowed only one residential building to go up on each lot, and Love said that the new building injured the value of adjoining properties. Luscher said a lawyer had told him he could build a one-story extension to his residence to house the car. Judge Marean denied the suit and said the building can stay. The Times concluded that the ruling indicates that "the automobile is now a necessity."