Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-12-13
DAVIS IN TROUBLE.
Electricians Enter Suit Against the
Alvin for a Big Bill.
WANT TO TEAR OUT THE LIGHTS
Manager Hyde Declares the Creditors Are
All Secured.
THE ILLNESS OF MR.. DAVIS SERIOUS

Quite q stir was created in theatrical and
business circles yesterday by the suit in re-
plevin of the Western Electric Company,
of Illinois, against Charles L. Davis, pro-
prietor of the Alvin Theater. The amount
claimed is $4,000 for electric apparatus
and equipments furnished there.
For a month or more rumors Of financial
difficulties at the Alvin have been current.
Though Mr. Davis has constructed the most
complete and probably the finest theater in
America, it is said to be somewhat bur-
dened. Several weeks ago it was feared
trouble would come, but the fact that it did
not led to the conclusion that Mr.. Davis
had secured aid Last night it was asserted
that if Mr.. Davis did business of s., 900 a
week for the entire season he could not
make ends meet. 1t is also said that Mr..
Davis ill health is caused by his money
troubles.
The Alvin Dishonored Draft.
The Western Electric Company has been
pushing its claim for some time, and since
the illness of the Alvin proprietor the MEM
bers of the company have been pushing
their claim the harder. The first payment
on the electric apparatus was not made and
the second slipped past. A short time ago
the company drew on the Alvin, but the
draft was refused. Since then its repre-
sentatives have been in Pittsburg and the
suit is the result. The writ which is asked
for by A. Leo We'll on behalf of the COM
pany would, if granted, give it power to re-
move all the electrical appliances.
Last night it was stated that the only
cauSo for chiuo tho cI1it now the con.
tinued i'll health of Manager Davis. Yes
terday his physicians were given as author
ity for the statement that Charles L. Davis
had but little chance of recovery. The fact
that Mr. Davis had made his will on Friday
is also said to have hastened the action, for
fear that in case of his failure to recover,
many other judgments would be filed and
they might not secure the amount of their
bill.
An attempt was made to see A. Leo
We'll, but he had left with his family for
Youngstown, soon after entering the suit,
and will not return until tomorrow.
Hyde Says All Bills Are Secured.
Manager Hyde was seen at the Alvin
Theater last night, and when asked about
the suit and the reports, said: sThis suit
is premature. The bill the Western
Electric Company has against us is not
large. Only a few payments are due and
we can pay them. The whole matter will
be settled on Monday and the suit will be
withdrawn. This company sent us a draft
a short time ago, but as it was for more than
was due it was not honored."
"Does the sickness of Mr.. Davis and the
fact that he has made his will cause the
creditors to push their claims?' was asked.
sI don't know why it should, replied Mr..
Hyde, "for every bill against the theater is
amply secured We have no debts that are
not provided for. AS for Mr.. Davis having
made his will, hnow nothing of it. His
attorney was with him on Friday, but do
not know what business they transacted. I
can only say that the Alvin is not in fnan-
cial danger and that this suit will not
amount to anything"