Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-18
THE BUILDERS PROTEST.
Proposed Albaugh's Theater Taken as a
Text Today.
Asked to Change the
Building ReEulations-Mr. Kings
Remarks ON the Subject.

"a SoHiHilttcc ITOm the DuliQerSI exchange
appeared before the Commissioners this
afternoon and made strong argument
against certain sections of the building
regulations. which. it is claimed. were
prejudicial to the best interests Of the ma
tional capital
1t was simply another chapter in the AL
baugh theater project, which was given
the approval of the builders exchange,
and the recommendation that the theater
be permitted to be erected in square $50
The hearing was given by the Commits
sioners at 1890. and the committee, repre-
sented by Messrs H. Wells, Thomas Nor
wood and ]. J. Macarty. appeared before
them. There were other members of the
builders exchange present, notably Messrs
Thomas ]. King, Charles Smith, James H.
McGill. Charles A. Langley and E. F.
Jones.
Mr.. Thomas ]. King did the speaking
He read lengthy petition. setting forth:
THE undersigned committee appointed
In compliance with resolutions adopted by
the builders exchange at their meeting
held January II, 1894. respectfully petition
your honorable body that section 10, para
graph 70. Of the building regulations Of
the District. be repealed, or modified, SO
that said regulations shall not be appli-
cable to the business portions Of our city.
AhcoC ICSuldtiOHS are against tnc well
fare of our city as prohibiting the invest
ment Of domestic and foreign capital and
we find on investigation that such regula-
tons as exist here do not exist in other
cities.
Therefore. this committee of the builders
exchange consider 1t wise that a permit be
granted to Mr.. Albaugh for the erection of
theater In square $50 In view Of the fact
that he has secured the majority Of such
interests as are necessary to the protection
OF every one concerned. and we emphatical-
ly protest against the interference of prop
erty holders in square 251, and also against
In either square. as they can only be con-
sidered as temporary residents and also
against the consideration of protests ema-
mating from non-tax-paying institutions or
organizations"
MIR. Kings Remarks.
Continuing, Mr.. King said that the Build
ers' Exchange had no motive other than
that of looking out for the city's welfare
in presenting this petition. They were not
present in the interest Of Mr.. Albaugh or
any one else. Their object was purely to
have the Commissioners repeal. IL possible
these sections Of the building regulations,
which they considered to be exceedingly
objectionable to the interest of the citys
growth and prosperity. He stated that Mr..
Albaugh's withdrawal of his application to
build a theater occasioned loss to the
annually OF que 10 the TACT
that the sum Of $4,000 was intended to
be used in the erection Of a hotel in con-
junction with two other houses and the
theater building.
18th street side of the theater square. and
1t was to be the finest in Washington. He
argued that the regulations should be SO
framed as to prevent owners of property
improvements from being called upon to
exercise the right of signature, for or
against the erection of any theater or other
building. He stated also that the exchange
objected most strenuously against the right
of the Columbian University to oppose the
erection of the theater. on the ground that
the schools of that university did not con-
tribute to the citys needs in the way Of
taxes. He also held that the regulations
should not be so framed as to interfere
with contemplated improvements In busi-
ness portions of the city especially. At
this point Commissioner Ross inquired Of
the speaker what he considered the bust
ness section.
The business Section.
He replied that he could not at that time
properly define the boundaries of the busi-
ness section inasmuch business was en-
croaching upon some of the prominent thor
oughfares Of the northwest section. Such
K street. and were between 9th and 18th
streets.
Commissioner Ross said he foresaw some
difficulty in the way of amending the regu-
lations. This he stated was due to the fact
that the law originally intended to protect
the citizen from being annoyed by certain
classes of amusement, such as dance halls
and theaters of objectionable character, but
in view of the strong presentation made by
the petition of the Builders Exchange he
felt sure that the Commissioners would
give the matter their careful consideration
Mr.. King said he was fully aware of the
difficulties of which MIR. Ross referred, but
claimed that they had the right under the
law to change a regulation which, In char
acter, would prove to be Objectionable and
of great loss to the welfare of the city.
Mr.. d. j. Macarty was invited to speak,
but he said Mr.. King had already covered
the matter, and all he desired to say was
to express the wish thaf the Objectionable
regulation would be repealed.
The Star. in this connection, has received
a letter from Mr.. Albaugh. in which he
says. For reasons we'll known to the pub
lie, and over which l had no control, !
have decided not to build new theater in
Washington, but 1t gives me great pleas
ure to announce that l have concluded an
arrangement with Mr.. Edward H.Allen
whereby 1 will continue my connection
with Albaugh's Grand Opera House Mr..
Allen will make extensive alterations and
proaches. and. when completed. Albaugh's
Grand Opera House will be the handsomest
theater in the capital. AS in years past
everything will be done to further the COM
fort and convenience of it's patrons"
THE BRIDGE BILL.