Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-31
LAFAYETTE SQUARE OPERA HOUSE.
-A1r
What Mr.. Albaush Says About Its
Proposed Construction.


Proposed Construction.
Mr.. ]. w. Albaugh, who is building the
Lafayette Square Opera House, was found
today. sr
Mr.. Aibaugh, when asked II he antici-
pated any trouble OH account Of the Gray
bill, which has been reported favorably
from Mr.. Vests committee, replied that IT
did not seem credible that there was any
serious idea in CongFesssof confiscatlng the
property, as there Is absolutely no need OF
their doing so. The Attorney General mas
now. he said, and always had, more empty
| looms than he has clerks, and already
has an unused frontage on Pennsyl-
vania avenue of 125 feet. Congress has
adopted the policy of buying no property
for a public building except square by
itself, and to purchase the entire square
in this instance would cost about two mil
lions and half dollars, which, in more
desirable neighborhood for government
building, would pay for the square ana
erect the building.
Mr.. Albaugh stated that he had been
Informed by a Senator that the square OPP
posite the new Library building was In
tended to be the future home OF the judi
ington, and on it was to be constructed
building corresponding with the Library
building, where will be collected the once
Of the Attorney General. the Supreme
Soult ILc SOuIl VI fAppCdiS, ShS OO"AS -
Claims, the interstate commerce commits
sion, with the law library, now overcroWd-
ing it's quarters in the Cap1tol, ana ina I
this project would have been carried out
before this but for the overwhelmed con-
dition Of the treasury for the last Two
years, the bill having been prepared by
Senator Morrill, of Vermont, and awaits
only a favorable opportunity to pass IT,
which will undoubtedly be by the time the
Library building is completed year
hence.
The Proposed Theater.
Mr.. Albaugh was asked as to the kind or
a building he was going to erect ana re-
piled that it would be- under his contracts
with the architects, the handsomest opera
house in the world, although 1t Will not
be the largest or the most expensive, as
the entire cost will be in the neighborhood
of $SOO,0OO The recent steel construction
with the use of the cantilever principle IN
the support Of the galleries, he SAID, mas
enormously reduced the cost of all nre-
proof buildings, and at the same time eX-
perience has taught the architect how to
Obtain the best results for the least money.
Extremely wide auditoriums are belng
abandoned, for the reason that the SIDE
seats are, in the majority of performances.
yalueless with a deep stage. The front or
the building is to be of light colored stone
and brick, and will be an ornament to La
fayette square, and in addition to its abso-
lutely fireproOf qualities, the interior Will
be a model in acous tics.
What is Mrs. Blaire's position as to the
government taking this gronnd?" asked
the reporter of The Star.
Il am authorized to state" said Mr.
Albaugh. that she is opposed to any
Interference whatever with the prop
erty. having made lease entirely
satisfactory to her, securing her an income
for life beyond the possibility of disturb
ance of any kind. She had the property on
her hands for two years idle, costing her
large amount for insurance, taxes and pro-
lection. The government refused to pur-
chase 1t before Mr.. Blaine bought 1t. She
has appealed to her personal friends to De
let alone in this matter, and any request
of that kind under the circumstances ought
to be complied with without debate or hest
tation.' +8
What arrangements have you made as
to your opening?" al
II shall open on the 23d of September,
with the Lillian Russell Comic Opera Com
pany, in a new opera by Dekoven & Smith,
authors of Robin Hood, Rob Roy and other
popular comic operas. ~