The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-02-26
HOUSE MAY BE CLOSED
Cyru. walker Urged to Foreciose on
the Third Avenue.

Charles II. Baker was seen again yes
terday BIZ a Post-fntelllgencer reporter "a
regard 10 the Third Avenue thea'ef' %
which he Is president he SAID
.s-rhe so-eaiIe,; theater middle IS purely
a private matter OF business, ana the
Items which have been furnished 70 sotae
of the local papers have been so4e4y TOT the
purpose o. advertising the present man
ager. IL there has been any eoolness De-
tween Mr.. Russell and myself nave het
known Il. ! have always UNDERSTOOD tlat
he held his position with reluctance ana l
am therefore surprised that the chanse -
not congenial 10 him.
1T is true that the ground upon which
the theater stands does not ee.ohS 10 the
theater corporation. but IS held unaer
lease from Mr.. Cyrus Walker Under TINS
lease there is due large sum Tor pack
rent under AR. Cordrays management
which would give Mr.. Walker the right
10 foreclose and take the buildings II ne
wished TO do so, in which case or course
the present company would be compelled
to move their equipment TO other quarters
l am aware that AR. Walker Is being
urged 10 take this step, but hardy tnIhk
he viii, as he has always received MS rent
promptly under my management, IN aa-
Giiion to which fact his confidential agent
Mr. NJ. s. Drew, some time ago agreed
with me that | should be kept N unsils-
too well TO believe for an instant that ne
would break his word III a matter OF ousi-
ness or any other way. for he Is as hon
orable a gentleman as have ever known
THE sole and only cause of my changing
the management Is 10 thereby save about
$50 a month expense and 10 keep the Sc
attic theater out of the field Of popular
priced shows. or otherwise the Third Az
enue would have 10 close up in two weeks
My action has been inspired solely by the
desire TO enable the concern 10 pay UP the
few back bills il owes under Mr.. Russelfs
financial management, including balance
on his sa.ary during the same time, and
also 10 have my bank get something out OF
Cordray's $1,000 Indebtedness.
THE statement that Mr.. Hellig intends
10 or can ruin the Third Avenue under
this arrangement is an invention. The
slightest evidence Of such intent or OF
prejudicing this house and favoring the
Seattle VIII abrogate the contract. Meth
er can the Third Avenue scale of prices
be changed or the Seattle scale go below
10 cents. Ii must be apparent 10 any
man of ordinary intelligence that IL the
Seattle theater undertook popular priced
shows 1t would do all the business, for il
IS much finer, more comfortable stylish
and handsome place IN which TO sit through
an entertainment than the Third Avenue
could ever hope TO be. In addition TO which
fact ts is in a regularly organized circuit,
through which the best companies viii
endeavor TO be booked. In fact, most OF
my best attractions have applied for adj
mission to the Seattle theater before book
ing with the Third Avenue.
THE contract with the Northwestern
Theatrical Association for the booking
and management OF the Third Avenue
house does not so into effect until March
T. Whether or not Mr.. Heilig will retain
II z -
VIII be out of my province. l do know.
however, that he expects to add several
pieces TO the efficient orchestra out of the
saving effected elsewhere"