The Washington critic., 1886-12-29
THE RINK THEATRE.
Tho Commissioners Issue an Impor-
tant Order Concerning IA.


tant order Concerning II.
The Commissioners issued an import
ant order TO day in regard to Manager
strasburger's proposed theatrJ at the
E.Street Skating Rink. The order
will also govern all theatres that may
bo opened hereafter.
Building Inspector Entwislc submit.
ted TO tho Commissioners this morning
his report on the report of the commits
sion.
The Commissioners, after consider.
ing the matter for two hours, made their
order, apparently regardless of the
commissions report or the report of the
Inspector.
Mr.. Strasburger was served with the
following order of the board
CrfjCE or TnE ESGIsEER COMMISSIONER,
WASHINGTON, ID. G., Dec. %, 1886.
The Commissioners recognize the pro.
piiety and advantage OF suitable places OF
amusement and desire to iuterpOse no un-
necessary difficulties in the way of their
establishment and maintenance, but are
clearly Of opinion that all buildings pro-
Iected to contain large number of people
and exposed to moro than ordinary risk,
should be so devised as to secure the great
est measure OF public safety that expert
ence has shown to be practicable In similar
cases.
They are also of the opinion that before IL
censes issue for the establishments in ques-
tioD, the interests of the adjacent and
neighboring properties, whose uses, values
and risks may be affected thereby, should
be carefully considered.
1t is therefore ordered That In the case
OF projected construction or reconstruc-
tion OF theatre, hall or public assembly
room, the plans aud specifications to be
submitted with the application for the per-
NIT to build, should be so drawn as to Sc
| cure the conformity Of tue proposed struc-
| ture with the best modern practice, special
| regard being had to the security OF the
| structure, means OF prevention and eXtn-
| guishment Of fire, means Of exit from the
stage and auditorium and appliances for
| heating and ventilation.
And further ordered:
That in cases where building permits for
constructions OF the nature above Indicated
are applied for, q license for the particular
establishment IN question shall first be pro-
cured.
The Inspector OF Buildings is charged
with the execution of this order.
Mr.. Strasburger aud his manager,
Mr.. Smith, stated to The CRrrIc re.
porter that there would probably be
several legal actions brought against the
Commissioners. They said they could
not tell exactly what course they should
pursue, because their attorney, Mr.. u.
b. Hay, was out of town.
They regard this as good as an or.
der not TO open their theatre, because,
as Mr.. Strasburger said to CRITIC re-
porter, he could not get the signatures
of the residents to his application for
license when they had already pro.
tested against the theatre.
Later in the day the Commissioners
issued the following
Ordered: That the application of j. X.
| Str0sburger to convert into theatre the
building known as the "Rnlin on E street,
between Sixth and Seventh streets north
west, in the city Of Washington, having
been duly considered, the said application
is hereby disapproved, unless there shall be
| filed Herewith in this Office the written
| permission of majority of residents and
| owners Of property in the square in which
| said building is located, and Of the front ol
the square opposite said building.
The Commissioners finally gave Mr..
| oluspulSeI pelnhissioh W Set 'he siS
natures Of residents and property
| owners on all four sides of the square
in which he intends to locate, and or
the south side of Il street, between
| Sixth and Seventh streets.
Mr.. Strasburger will begin at once tc
get the signatures. Not being confined
| TO T. street, between Sixth and Seventh
| streets, he thinks he will have chance
of getting the necessary signatures. HI
| claims that some of the names on tn,
protest filed against him are those o
children.