Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-08
MEETS WITH OBSTACLE
BELASCO MAY NOT USE CONVEN-
TON HALL FOR "ADREA."

1t developed at the District building today
that an obstacle has been interposed TO Mr..
David Belascos using the Convention Hall
for his proposed presentation of "Adrea" by
Mrs. Leslie Carter The District Commits
sioners insist that special license must be
issued for the theatrical performances pro-
posed. and that the hall shall be placed in
compliance as completely as possible with
the regulations governing theaterS with re-
spect to fire protection, etc. 1t Is under
stood that Mr.. Belasco objects to making
some provisions which the Commissioners
deem necessary
About week ago Commissioner West
sent an official communication to District
Assessor Hopewell H. Darneille, stating
that he had noticed the reports of Mr..
Belasco's proposition to use the Conven-
ton Hall for theatrical purposes. In his
letter to Assessor Darneille Mr.. West said:
1T Is hardly necessary to remind you
that the building regulations are very strict
in the matter of fire protection in theaters
and that the strict enforcement of these
regulations is required of all theaters In
Washington before license can be issued.
AT the same time, in order that the Ii
cense may not be granted without due ex-
animation, l bring this matter to your at
tention in order that when application is
made it shall be accompanied by certifi-
cate to the effect that all the REGULATE
have been complied with"
The matter was also brought up before
q session of the board of Commissioners
by Mr.. West and both Commissioners Mac
farland and Biddle agreed with Mr.. West
that the proper precautions against fire
should be insisted upon.
Conference Held.
Several days ago Commissioner West
conferred with Assessor Darneille and Cor
poration Counsel Duvall with reference to
the matter. Mr.. Darneille was of the opin-
ion that no special license would be required
for the theatrical performances in the hall.
He mentioned that the hall has license as
a hail, for which il pays 500 a year the
same amount paid by the local theaters and
this license. he argued, permits the holding
of any kind of entertainment.
Corporation Counsel Duvall, however,
agreed with Commissioner West that a
special license should be demanded for the
theatrical performances. He held that in
converting the hall into a temporary
theater the theater regulations became ap-
plicable to the i-all.
Among other things, the building regula-
lions require in theaters a proscenium arch
separating the stage from the audience,
sufficient exits, changes in the electrical
apparatus, the treatment OF the scenery
and stage work with fire-resisting chem
icals and an asbestos drop curtain.
To complying with some of these re-
quirements, 1t is stated, Mr.. Belasco OBJ
jects.
In speaking of his position on this matter
today Commissioners West said:
II believe the Commissioners should in
sist that all the regulations applying to
those places where theatrical performances
are held should be complied with In the
case of the Convention Hall. We have
compelled everybody else TO comply with
them. II the District regulations are es-
sential for public safety elsewhere. they
are certainly essential in the Convention
Hall during the proposed theatrical per-
formances."
Commissioner Mcfarland likewise be-
lIeves in requiring suitable provisions for
the public safety. and Col. Biddle ex-
presses the opinion that the Convention Hall
for the proposed theatrical performances
should be made as safe as hail. as the
theaters are required to be safe as thea
tagO.