The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-01-02

The attention Of the Commissioners bav-
ing been called TO the fact that Sunday
night performances have been given st the
Bijou Theatre on two successive occasions
a reporter for The Times called on Com
missioners Wight and Ross this morning
20 ascertain what action. il any. would be
taken to prevent repetition OF the per
formances. Both OF the Commissioners
declined to commit themselves. Commis-
siouer Wight stated. however. that there
Was no law under which the District au-
thcritIes could close the theatre. and add
ed that be is not in favor OF bringing the
matter 10 the attention OF Congress.
About year ago three OF the local thea
tres began giving Sunday night perform
ances- Complaint being made TO the Com-
missiuners. request was sent 10 the man
ayers TO close their houses on Sundays. 4
meeting Of The managers was held. and. il
is said, an agreement was entered into 10
comply with the request. At any rate. re
. doors of the theatres we're closed on sun
. day nights thereafter. and remained closed
until the recent action Of the Biiou mar
agemert
During the year the Bijou Theatre chang
ed managers and the present director Of
the house. Eugene Wellington. decided
that Sunday concerts were just the things
10 start up during the holidays He. there
fore announced that his house would be-
oFen December p and 81. The Commls-
sioners and police we're again called uuOn
20 act as stated.
Major Sylvester promptly sent one of his
lieutenants TO the manager of the theatre
and requested him 10 close his house.
Whether or not this will be done Major
Sylvester was unable to say He Is handi-
capped by not having a law which could be
brought to bear on this character Of per
fcrmances and the theatre managers are
Eor compelled 10 close unless they d-sire 20
bow 20 public sentiment.
Major Sylvester stated today that he be-
leved that he would have no trouble in
psrsuadlug the manager Of the B-5ou 70
close his house.
Public sentiment rules this city IS well
as many others he said We brought
public sentiment TO bear on the managers
last year and we will do it again Jhis year
II they do not close.
An entertainment OF this kind cannot
20 on without patronage and il is not be-
lieved that there viii be any persons who
VIII be willing to have themselves known
as the patrons Of q performance which is
given contrary 10 the expressed wish Of the
majority Of the residents Of the city.
a
not influence ne in the least
i believe IL is for the best tC have The
theatres closed on sundays, and If there 10
any possible way 10 close them I think it
VIII be done. There is no law against ir.
and If such a law was enacted it would
prevent such highly c-editable things as
band concert and the appearance Of the
various lecturers who visit here from time
20 time on sunday nights I think the
managers VIII submit 10 b. ruled by public
opinion. and as I said before 7 do not be-
lie,e I VIII have any trouble in closing
the house which has already g,yea two
concerts
Manager Eugene KernaG. or Keruan's
Theatre is very much opposed 10 Sunday
performances. and fayors any law which
would prevent them
4 am opposed 10 Sunday performances
for a good many reasons said he TO a
Times reporter this morning
In the first place, 1 do not think sny
manager has the right 20 ask his employees
70 work seven days in the week. The peO-
pie that come to this city sometimes travel
several hundred miles 10 reach here Sun
day morning. and if they are compelled 10
60 on the stage Sunday night and give
their sprCialties they will not reflect credit
either On themselves or the Managers 1
do not believe Sunday concerts are right
from any standpoint and viii not have any
=
raSiCus.
There are times when a Sunday night
performance is a real benefit 70 the public
and the managers Of the theatre When t5e
city is crowded for some great celebration
and the streets are thrOnEed with people,
then a Sunday concert is welcomed by the
police authorities and the general public
becaLze fl takes many Of the pedestrians
of the streets and keeps the thoroughfares
in better order.
The performances are not right from
moral standpoint either and should net he
allowed 20 go on The manager Of the
house who permits such exhibitions ruins
himself in Tire estimation Of the Better
class OF patrons. and IN the end lCses both
his money and his prestige. The perform
ers cannot do themselves Justice at such
entertainments. and. as I stated be'Ore, I
do not believe in them. and will not have
them