Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-31
ENFORCEMENT |. OF Law
Alleged That Local Theaters
Operate Without License.
DECISIVE ACTION
WARRANT ISSUED FOR ARREST
OF THE PRoPRIEToRs.
Charges Also Against the Lawrence
Hotel Management-Hearing
Set for Monday.

A warrant was issued today by Assistant
Corporation Counsel James L. Pugh for
the arrest Of p. B. Chase, proprietor Of
Chase's Theater, upon the charge Of operat-
ing theater without license. The war
rant was sworn out this morning by Hope
well H. Darnetlle, the District assessor.
upon an order issued late yesterday after
noon by Commissioned West 1t Is stated
by the District authorities that Mr.. Chase
has failed to comply with the requirements
of the building inspectors Office and of
the fire department with regard to regula-
tions relating to freproof construction in
the theater.
The authorities 1t is stated. have had this
matter under consideration for several
weeks. The demand was made on the
proprietor Of the theater that the pro-
scenium arch of the stage be constructed
of brick OF some other fire resisting ma
terial. Objections, are also made to the
fire escape on the 18th street side OF the
theater building The authorities declined
to issue license to the theater under pres
The order for This action Of the District
authorities, as previously stated, was IS
sued late yesterday afternoon, and was,
therefore, not Inspired by the terrible dis
aster in the Iroquois Theater, Chicago.
which occurred subsequent to the issuance
Of the order by Commissioner West.
Mr. Vests Action.
The Commissioners consulted privately
about the local theater yesterday morning
and in the afternoon Mr.. West dictated
the following order to Assessor Darneille:
IT understand that Chases Theater is
operating without a license. You will d.
rect your license inspector to swear out a
warrant for the proprietor of Chase's
Theater, in order that the case may be
tried in court.
also inform me whether any other thea
ter in the city Is operating without the
requisite license"
Commissioner West at the same time die
tated the following note to A. B. Duvall,
corporation counsel relative to the Law
renee Hotel, against which objections have
been entered by the authorities relative to
the condition of the building:
Referring to memorandum sent to MT.
Pugh a few days ago, directing the post
pcnement: Of the case against the Lawrence
Hotel until l had time to consult with my
colleagues regarding the case, desire to
inform yoaEthatit is their opinion, In when
I concur, that the case against 5aid hotel
for doing business without license should
be prosecuted Will you kindly INFORM Mr.
Pugh of this decision.
The hearing of the case against Samuci
Gassenheimer. proprietor of the Lawrence,
it is stated will take place IN the Police
Court Saturday morning.
Lie .9C4ld1ty ALASuA So.
Assistant Corporation Counsel Pugh
states that the authorities cannot COM
pei Mr.. Chase to close his theater. but
that the Jaw VIII permit of his being
fined 500 for each performance given
therein while operating without license.
The District authorities state that there
is no desire on their part to occasion any
undue alarm in the minds of Washington
+b hut thew consider 1T
necessary in the interests of the public
that precautionary measures should be
taken to protect the theater patrons, and
for this reason they have taken the ac-
ton previously mentioned. 1t is further
pointed out that, since the action was de-
cided upon and ordered previous to the
narrowing accident in Chicago, the au-
thorities have not been unduly alarmed
with regard to local conditions by that
catastrophe The desire of the authori-
ties, 1t is stated, is to take precautionary
measures to guard as much as possible
likely to occur if the requirements of the
building inspectors Office and of the fire
department were not complied with.
Against Other Theaters.
Late this afternoon, upon the order of
Commissioner West, the District assessor
swore out warrants for the arrest of Ed
win j. Buckley, manager Of the Empire
Theater. and John w. Lyons. manager of
the Academy of Music, upon charges Of op-
Grating their theaters without a license. 1t
is learned from the District authorities that
the proprietors Of the theaters have failed
to comply with regulations relating to fire
protection in the theaters. .
1t is stated with regard to the Empire
that the management has failed to provide
suitable fire escapes for the performers and
stage hands, and that additional exit
lights are needed. all of which has been
required by the building inspector.
The authorities state that there is a lack
of proper ventilation the stage Of the
Academy of Music, and that the stairways
on the stage are not constructed of the
proper fire-proof material.
It is expected that the warrants against
| the managers of the Empire and the Acad-
| envy of Music will be served some time this
evening and that the warrant issued earlier
| in the day against Mr.. P. B. Chase will also
| be served this evening.
Mr.. Chase's Statement.
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