The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-11-19
.BELASCO LEASES
CONVENTION HALL
Another Step in War With
Theatrical Syndicate.
WILL PRESENT "ADREA" HERE
Barred Out of Local Theate1s, He Will
Spend Twenty Thousand Dollars
to Bring Mrs. Carter Here.

In the office Of Building Inspector
Ashford. late yesterday afternoon. q
little group. composed of David BeIasco.
his stage manager: Mr.. Ashford. Man
ager BoreT, of Convention Hall. and
Fire Marshal Sidney Bieber. made IRE
liminary arrangements TO permit Be
lasco 10 produce next month I'm Con-
Fention Hall his new play "Adrea." in
s. hich Mrs Leslie Carter will star.
This move is the latest step in a long
and bitter fight against the forces
which now control most of the play
houses in America.
~ Have Beaten Trust Again.
This is the most important move in
my theatrical career" said Mr.. Belasco
today. The syndicate has concentrated
all its strength. financial power, and in
genuity against me. 1t finally attempt
ed to bar me ont of Washington. where
] have produced many important new
plays But with the sympathy and help
Of some prominent citizens here I have
beaten the trust again. l shall keep
up the fight, and am confident Of sue
cess.
This method of Sighting the trust
means much TO me in the productions IN
which ] am interested. IL means for
one thing shat I shall continue TO play
In large halls throughout the country.
whatever may be the expense Of fitting
them up, whenever I am barred out of
the theateTs.
WashingtOnians Sympathetic.
II shall spare no time. labor. or money
IN arranging Convention Hall in this
city for the production OF 'Adrea.' and
I propose 10 produce the play with all
the stage equipments that can be had
in the CITY Of New York. A preliminary
survey If the situation today shows
that 1t Win cost at least $4,000 for Mrs
Carter and her company to open here in
Decembfr. / found some Well-known
cllzeis OF Washington sympathetic in
/ tais new venture, and have receiv,
great help from them and am promised
much more The history OF my contest
with the syndicate up TO this time Is
already wen known. This IS only an
ether play In the game. and 10 me it
seems n be the most important
BY the terms OF hts agreement Afr
5elasco viii erect a temporary stage i'm
tiie vast building, and VIII use half of
Inc structure for seating his audiences
ne seating capacity OF the entire hail
The audience viii enter from the north
hlee- BACK OF the stage. on the south
sue, VIII De an empty space used as a
property room and dressing rooms for
the players.
Will FireprOOf Scenery.
Mr.. BelascO assured the building in
speetor that he would thoroughly fire
proof all the scenery and all the wood
p" ork Of the temporary stage. He also
agreed TO install IN the building any ex-
ira nre-hghting apparatus that might be
required. and 10 arrange the seats so
as 10 leave as many aisles as the inspec-
Tor requested. The building is now fire
proof
Mr.. ashford said today that last wear
Air- EelaScO had had some idea of ,Isinc
convention Hall as a theater. but. I'M
some way the plan was given 40 Tbis
year. he VIII use 10 only one week near
The end Of December.
Ihg issuance or a permit allowing
the haH 10 be used as "a theater Is
according TO law, as the bufldfn0 A.
licensed as a place for musical and oiber
entertainments The only thing needed
was the assurance from Mr. Pelasco
mat ne would make the hall perfectly
safe. When this has been done the
Kermit viii be issued, approved nv
Marshal Bieber
Mr. Belaseo. who has returned TO
New York. VIII send the Building In
spector at an early date his detailed
plans for the huge temporary stage the
ELECTRIC wiring and other arrangements
connected with the production OF
"Adrea. "
Independents" Fall OF.
Last year the Independents" had on
their rolls q dozen companies and nearly
as many conspicuous stars This year
only Mrs. Fiske and the actors enlisted
by Mr.. BelascO remain. The falling off
IT, the Independent forces seems TO have
Deen due to their inability 10 co-operate
practically against the enormous
strength OF what is known as the
theatrical syndicate.
CONDITION OF THE WATER.
Temperature and condition OF water at
a. m: Great Falls condition. 81. Dale
carlia reservoir, temperature, 81; cOndi-
tiOns -; condition at north connection
Il ..-LLLL-u IL south com. o.ctlor, %