The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-12-31
WARRANTS FOR OWNERS
OF IHEATERS AND HOTEL
Z. b. Chase and Others Are
TO Answer.
BUILDING RULES VIOLATED
Regulations as to Fireproof Construction
and Fire Escapes Not Complied
With in Either Case.
BUILDING RULES VIOLATED

Acting upon an order from the Dis
trict Commissioners. the District AS
SCISSOR. H. II. Darneille today swore
out warrant for the arrest Of p. B.
Chase, proprietor Of Chase's Theater. on
charge OF operating the playhouse
without license 1t Is alleged that the
construction Of Chase's Theater is not
thoroughly freproof and that a license
has been refused because Mr. Chase
has not complied with the building reg
ulations pertaining to fireproof CON
struction
This is denied by a representative Of
Mr.. Chase, who says an application for
license has been made. and that the
necessary changes in the theater have
not been made owing to the dilatory
methods of the building Inspectors Of
fee.
Mr. Chase's representative further
stated that in conversation with Fire
Marshal Bieber he was told that every
thing would. come out all right. and that
he might wait until after the HOLIDAYS.
Mr. Chase has not yet been served with
the warrant. SAID his representative.
The Commissioners also ordered the
Corporation Counsel to proceed with the
prosecution of Samuel Gassenheimer.
proprietor of the Lawrence Hotel. which
has been conducted without A license
for several months. The charge In this
case Is practically the same as in that
OF observation-disclosures with regu-
btions governing freproof construction
Both cases viii be pushed and the law
enforced. according TO a statement made
by Commissioner West this morning.
The action OF Commissioner West in
inc hot
the proprietor Of Chase's Theater. was
taken yesterday afternoon. In regard
tc the Lawrence Hotel. the Commission
ers recently estopped proceedings. at the
request Of the proprietor, until the case
could be investigated. Mr. Gassenheimer
arg Ied that a new hotel is 70 be built
on the Lawrence sit this spring, and it
would necessitate several thousand dol
lars expense to conform to the law.
In view OF this the Commissioners al
lowed the hotel to do business tenn
porarily.
Mr.. Darneille said today he did not
know what the specific violations of law
were in tile Chase case. All he knew
was that he had not issued a license,
because the Building Inspector would
not approve the application.
Mr.. Chase's Offending.
From the Building Inspectors office
1t was learned that the District has two
grievances against Mr. Chase. Il Is al
legged that the proscenium arch is not
constructed of firsproof material. which
is demanded BY the law. Mr.. Chase. it
is understood. has offered TO cover the
arch with asbestos. but refuses to 90
to any additional expense for heavier
construction The Commissioners be-
lieve the law should be complied with
The other complaint is that the fire es-
capes on the Fifteenth Street side OF
the tl1eater are too narrow. too steep.
and have wooden platforms.
Lessee's Contention.
Mr.. Chase contends that these escapes
were constructed fifteen years ago in
accordance with the then building reg
ulations. and as they have been good
enough all these years they ought 10 be
good enough today The Building In
spector is of another opinion. and the
differences will be aired in the Police
Court. The warrant for Mr.. Chase was
served Immediately after luncheon
The case against Nj. Gasenheimer and
the Lawrence Hote: will be called in the
Police Court next Saturday.
At O'Clock. Commissioner Vest d.
rected District Asses sor DarneiIe to
swear out warrants against the proprie-
tors of the Empire Theater and the
Academy OF Music The charge is the
same as that made against Chase, of
operating their theaters without Ii
censes. The licenses have been refused.
heretofore. because of failure to comply
with the building regulations pertaining
to fireDrOOf construction