The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-07-26
John Cort Conducts a Variety Be
sort in Business District.
PART or THE MAYORS MACHINE
Proprietor o. . osestisnabls Resort
IL Given Especial Privileges ~
CITY Aanintstratisn = Depended
on 20 Carry First Precinct of the
Fourth ward - Some of the
Charscteristics Of the Place.

Because Of the favor that II shown BY
the police to its proprietor, variety
theater Is being conducted on Cherry
street, between Second and Third ave-
nues by John Cort. IN violation OF tho
well established rule Of the city admin
istratfon, laid down several years ago,
that such houses should be relegated to
the district south OF Yesler way. On ac-
count Of tho nature OF Mr.. Cort's resort
and tho character of tho entertainment
furnished, which IL not different from the
average Seattle variety house, there mas
been much complaint and criticism OF the
city administration by people generally
for sons time past.
The Cort place Is known A. the Palm
Garden" Its proprietor claims that i
~ a concert hall. II IL 80 situated that
people passing up and down Cherry
street IN the heart OF the business dis
trict Of the city are compelled to 90
by it, doors. 1t IL within half block
OF Second avenue and Cherry street, one
OF tho busiest business corners OF the
city. and . like distance separates II from
the leading theatcr OF the city. People
going TO or from the theater pass d.
rectly in front Of the Palm Garden. Tho
place. for this reason, considering its
character. n regarded a. offensive by
many people.
Complaint II made that the Sunday
!
BY noises which omanate from the Palm
Garden. conducted by Mr.. Cort Night
ly. after decent people have gone to
he'd. are heard sounds of revelry from
the place which disturb the slumbers Of
those living In tho blocks and residences
near about.
A. Ordinary variety House.
The question has often been asked why
the city administration permits the place
to continue under its present system In
no essential particular does thu Cort re-
sort differ from other variety houses
which are confined TO the district below
Yesler way, according to the rule adopt
ed by the city administration several
ysars ago. The attractions offered the
public TO induce patronage are precisely
like those which are haunted on the bill
boards Of the variety resorts and saloons
Of the Tenderioin.
the performance begins 1t o'clock
with an orchestral number. After the
overture como songs and dances and a
general olio OF specialties which are In
cluded In the peculiar scope OF tho vaud-
evfile and are not found In theaters which
make claims to anything approaching
high standing.
interminsled In the programme are
speciality acts In which tho feminine song
and dance artist shines. She II usually
short Dkirtcd and dec0llotte to an extreme
not tolerated except In strictly variety
houses below Yesier way. The perform
err themselves say that tho management
encourages tho diaplAy OF physical charms
which arc made nightly under tho glare
or we'll pSAcsd lights on the stage
Coon sonsp and rag time music form
the larger part Of the programme The
songs are frequently shouted and not
sung, especially toward the end OF the
programme. The clash OF cymbols. the
screeching Of the clarionet and tho heavy
brass Of the trombonee make the street
rssound with noise.
Dranks Witheut Lamit.
Drinks of every description are sold
openly 1t the Palm Garden. There In no
restriction. no limit. Beer sells for the
regular bar room price In the main au-
ditorium- In tho boxes. however. prices
on ali liquid Refreshments are twice the
usual amount Tho profits of the house
are made In the boxes. where. In oom-
pany with women OF moro or less con-
genial ways and habits the ''tenderfoot"
spends his money.
miscellaneous female clientele Of the
house ara interested in pushing the sale
OF itQuors Thoy work In the boxes on q
percentage. an In the custom In tho re-
sorts below Ycsler way. by every ar
tince and art known 20 the women Of this
class ~ tho visitor to tho Palm Garden
induced TO -apend his money free" and
TO imbibs In like manner from the low
Ing bowl
For the purpose OF furnishing every ia
ciuty for the sale OF liquor. boxes are
provided overlooking the main noor. These
boxes are curtainsd and have recesses In
which ono may look upon the performance
ana the crowd below without being OBJ
served by pryinE eyes. Entry 20 the
boxes r. obtained through a long and
dfmly lighted corridor. In this corridor
tho box rustlers' ana women OF aus.
uonahie reputs from various parts OF the
city north OF Nesior way congregats In
waiting for mon 20 treat them.
while the mayor through his police
force In clhintsg 10 confine vice and low
resorts 10 the south end OF the city. Mr..