New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-30
THE FUTURE OF BOOTHS THEATRE.

James ID. Fish, who recently purchased
Booths Theatre. was met by TRIBUNE reporter last
night in the lobby OF his newly acquired property He
expressed his entire readiness 10 chat about his plans In
regard to the theatre.
I'm the first place" said he, az should like
to say one thing. Eugene Kelly, who is sitting
next me this evening. l suppose only uttered
the sentiment great many people when he turned to
me Just now and said Fish. It's an almighty shame OF
You TO pull this lovely place DOWN Now want TO say
right here that share the feeling and am a. sorry as
any one, but you know can't afford to pay
too high price for sentiment. and that's what should
be doing were TO continue to lease the building
theatre Lawrence Barrett from Philadelphia
OIL purpose to beg TO let bin have but resouey de
clned as much OF kindness towards him as out OF
regard for my interests. Barrett talked all one day
and managed to work my feelings TO considerable
extent and hated 10 refuse him. but knew lie W0u
only be enbaikng III an unpro ltabe uudtflaSug Inc
fact Is the rent should have to ask return on my
capital would be such as to prevent any theatrical un
dertaking having ghost OF chance - .,
Now, to my future plans. f. H. Kendall, my
architect made two plans for the alterations. ana
am in doubt 10 hich shall decide upon one pro
vdes the entire cutting OF the INTERIOR lea'hS tue
front as it is aud the subsequent division into stores
the makes necessary the removal OF the present
granitefron and tue erection OF nc" one Sui'Iy
arranged for the entrances TO the stofcs. ms
latter would cost ABOUT $4,000 more thAn the lot
mer, but think the increased convenience Nouu uh1'
to pay a return the extra capital invested haVe
had proposals from several drygoods hms oncfhe 70
take the whole building II wOulu convert IL nv" ouo
large Enrich Brothers were particularly urs ou1
of making such arrangement, aBd offered l9fSe
rental out tuluk shall take any Oncr OF the
sort. / might find my self sadded with as much OI
white elephant az the theatre IA as II now stands
"On Monday morning the deeds Will be signed, ana
shall nav MIR. Ames S3jO.OOO account By the way, u
has been reported that | paid "a Father lhlgrr
price than actually gong 70. Instead or S9OOOOO
/ shall nav very little than p5OO.OOO, whlch, Wjcu
YOU compare with the price paid to-day 10! the prop
ery mex door IL not very exOrbitant h0uld hAe 10
deny for all that represent any syndicate VI
the matter n been said. Ferdinand Ward my busl-
ness partner il the only other individual besides mys
concerned In the purchase. by the way. believe j. A.
Page going bring suit against Mr. Anes aud ny sell
for $50 600 do know and never saw the man. out
he saws lie OF syndicate thut
backed Ames, and that he lost $4,000. Inis
amount, he states, Ames promised 10 pay
if a sale for $3.50 900 effected don't gee what
have 10 do with the matter aud don't believe Mr
Ames IA really liable. Anyhow II 10 hitch takes place
shall take possession iy l. The scenery and theat
ricaI enects have sold Messrs hyde Behman. and
great portion of the wood fittings and stained glass IN
the Hobbies shall use in a building am erecting AT
Thirty -nintli-sl. aud Broadway"
John stetson, standing near said TO the reporter
should like TO say, 1t may be my last chance tat
leave Booths Theatre after two years tenancy Win
nothing but pleasant feelings havomad no nOneyDut
can confidently state that have lost none nave GOT
out exactly square. aud don't know another MANAGER
who can say the same thing If poor Charle Ihothe
hadn't died Just al / was booming hun shoud nave
made a good thing this season. But he did DE ano
DIDN'T make a good thing. That's ali have say, and
should like ~ say It through The TRIBt Nh"