The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-07-08

Tie new ordinance, which regulates the
cost 81 circus license. was felt by Wal
OF sec That is che sum {. cost 70 give
TWO performances, and this is how Il came
about.
The new license ordinance passed Mon
day night provided that civcuses charging
not 10 exceed - cents for admission, in
GLIDING reserved seats. should ray a
minimum license Zee OF s-50. Where there
was an additional fee 20 the - cents ad-
mission charged for reserved seats, the
license was placed AZ $40.
In the first case. 80 cents straight. 10
cents for each sea. IVES the fee. and 10
ii more than " cents was charged
The ordinance also provided that the
city comptroller should issue The license
on the AFFIDAVIT OF the manager or agent
of the circus stating the admission zee
and the seating capacity The chief OF
police was required 70 ascertain the seat
ing capacity OF the circus and the charges
made for admission. II the facts dis
covered We're II variance with the infor-
nation contained IN the affidavit. the
city comptroller had power 10 revoke the
license and require the payment OF the
proper amount.
when the managers of the circus went
10 the city Comptroilers office yesterday
70 obtain a license they were greatly sur
prised 10 learn that a new ordinance was
under the provisions Of the old law. II is
hardly necessary 10 state that the show
men were displcased Z. &. Knapp. one
Of the head men Of the circus made az
fidavit that the seating capacity of the
circus was 800 and that the maximum
fee charged for admission was 30 cents.
and that no additional fee would be
charged for reserved seats or otherwise.
The license WAS issued. and the first
performance took place in the afternoon
as advertised. Comptroller Parry noti-
fled Chief Reed 10 look after the seating
capacity and also watch out for any at
tempt to eVade the reserved seat pro-
vision. \ representative of the city was
at the entrance To count the people as
they came in. Comptroller Parry and
Chief Of Police Reed were inside the tent.
The reserved seats looked awfully lone
some and the people who wanted 10 so
into them We're told. Your council won't
let YOU have reserved seats
After the first flourish of trumpets the
play became evident. BY purchasing
50 cent ticket 20 the minstrel show. which
came after the circus. person could get
into the reserved seats. Comptroller Par
ry caught on in moment, and SO did
Chief Reed Verbal notices We're given
the show people that they we're violating
their license. The reserved seats filled
III. and the show went on.
Comptroller Parry was warm around
the collar and declared he would revoke
the license Acting Mayor Crichtou stood
pat and Chief Reed did not hesitate TO
tackle the problem.
4 Little correspondence.
This is the official letter the comptroller
sent the chief OF police:
Upon your report that the Walter l..
Main show at the performance given this
afternoon charged 4 maximum fee for add
mission and reserved seats of more than
- cents I hereby notify you that under
the provisions of ordinance No. i,55o the
license this day issued To Walter l.. Mains
show is hereby revoked
Following Is a copy of the letter sent by
Mr.. Parry TO the proprietor of the circus:
You are hereby notified that upon the
report Of the chief OF police from which
II appears that a. the show given by You
this afternoon in this city, a maximum
admission charge and fe. exceeding 80
visions OF Your license. your said license
is hereby revoked. under the provisions OF
ordinance No. so Of this CITY,"
trinr to the evening performance Chief
Reed sent detectives 10 the ground and
had the show people notified that the
evening performance could not be given
unless $3.50 more. which brought the Ii
Cense up 70 $500 and came within the
over % cents charge WAS paid into the
city. The show people thought Il was a
sand ba gsins process on the part OF the
city. but rather than disappoint the crowd
planked down $3.50 in cash. and the show
wen, on. It was a good show. too. and
the people were as much pleased with IL
as Acting Mayor Crichton was with his
new ordinance