Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-30
A Lively Hearing by the District
Commissioners Today.
ARGUMENTS PRO AND CON In THE Case
Must Begin All Over Again the
Decision.
THE INTERESTS REPRESENTED.

The board room at the District building
was crowded with over twenty persons
representing both sides in the Albaugh
Opera House controversy this afternoon,
when shortly after 1 o'clock the Commits
sioners came together in the formal and
final hearing of the case.
Mr.. Garnett sitting at one end of the
table, representing the opposition, and Mr.
Larner at the other end, on behalf of Mr.
Albaugh, were the attorneys on the oppos-
ing sides, while the picturesque figure of
Mr.. Hines, with his snowy white hair sat
In front Of the Commissioners across the
table.
The Controversy Begun.
The controversy was begun by Mr.. Gar
nett, who demanded that the statement
given the assessor by the Albaugh people
be proven true. Mr.. Larner thought the
statement should not be questioned. A
short tilt followed between the two and
Commissioner Ross interrupted the discus
sion by making a statement in regard to
liquor licenses. and the differences in this
case from the rules governing building
permits.
DR.. c. A. Stakely asked permission to
place in the hands of the Commissioners
a hst OF persons asking that their names
be Withdrawn. Mr.. Garnett then read a list
were half dozen or more
Mr; Garnett then rose and read the brief
whlch ne had prepared, which contended
nrst, that the Commissioners had it in
second. that a majority of the propertv
holders had not given their consent
Mr.. Hine on the Report.
Mr.. Hine spoke next, saying that only the
people on the square confronting the pro-
posed theater should be consulted. "Your
assessor" said he, has already made his
statement to you, saying that the proper
number Of names has been obtained. Is
the report false, or can 1t be questioned
To question 1t would be to question the
honesty of the ASSESSOR" Mr. Hine said thar
the permit ought to go through the regular
course and be submitted to the police
In reply. Mr.. Garnett said that Mr. Trim
pie honesty had never been questioned
adding that in regard to the question of
frontage, every lot in the square ran clear
.nrough anu they all fronted on H street.
Mr: Garnett said that the theater people
had not conformed to the law and had no
rlght to be there presenting their case be-
fore the Commissioners.
Mr; Hine said that if the Commissioners
decided that new list must be prepared
II was no use to debate on the other
points. Those having signed this permit
nave already had their names used in n
business transaction. and it would result
now withdraw. So these men NAV not
Withdraw their signatures. We could OBJ
tain others. There are plenty who would
ratner nave theater than a stable. But
by law these people cannot now withdraw"
To Begin All Over Again.
Mr.. Larner asked that the Commissioners
inform the parties as how to proceed in tho
case. Commissioner Ross said that the
whole thing would have to be begun again
from the bottom. and that the matter
would be referred to the police.
Some questions were submitted for an
opinion by the attorney for the District and
in the midst of the tangle it was decided to
adjourn and have another hearing after the
police have reported. when both parties will
be notified.
Those present today against the theater
we're: Mr.. Garnett, DIR. yelling, DIR. c. A.
Stakely. Charles w. Needham, ]. o. Wilson,
Mr.. Clephane, and many others. On behalf
or the theater, j. w. Albaugh, John B.
Larner, l.. c. Hinc, Edward B. Hay, T. w
Widdicombe and many others.