The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-15
.OFF|C|ALssW0OP
down ON THEATRES
Pay Unexpected Visit to Play.
Houses and Find Everything
Ali Right.
"lNTEREsTlNG,' SAID MAYOR
sidestepped Hurriedly at the
Academy and Came Near
Turning Off Lights.

Accompanied by Police Chief Werner
and Fire Chief Shaw, Mayor MCCARTHY
inspected the three theatres OF Rich
mond last night. The result of the
tour will not be made known officially
for a day or two, or until the three
officials get together in conference to
discuss the situation as 1t appealed to
them 1t is believed. however, that
the report will say substantially that
the playhouses are about as safe
places for crowds to congregate as
can be found almost anywhere,
The inspectors will recommend that
some small improvements be made in
each. but there will be little expense
attached to the changes. At the Bijou
one of the exit doors from the stage
will probably be changed. at the sug-
gestion of the inspectors. and several
minor matters will be looked after,
such as slight changes in the skylight
and SO on. The general arrangements
OF the theatres are good.
Defect Is Remedied.
a careful scrutiny of the Academy was
made Every available place about the
house was looked into. and 1t was the
general opinion that the building Is in n
| safe condition.
"They have remedied the defect in the
! basement to which I referred when I
n dangerous place" said the Mayor, as
he passed into the basement, beneath the
auditorium and the stage. "At that time
there was a large quantity of lumber
scattered about Unfortunately, and 1t
looked dangerous to me. The basement
now appears to be all right"
Manager Wise explained that the lumber
was simply lot Of scenery that had
been removed from the Casino, and that
ment and cellar Of the Academy looked
ns nent as could be last night, Among
the recommendations referring to tho
Academy will be that directing the plac-
Ing Of a white light on the north side OF
the theatre at the approach to the fire
escape. Another will call for slight
| change in the ventilator arrangements in
the ceiling above the stage and one or
two other minor changes Will be sug-
gested.
At both places the management cour-
teously escorted the inspectors through
their houses. and Manager Mckee and
Manager Wise each declared that they
We're as anxious to have their houses safe
as We're the commissioners, and that
they would follow ont any suggestions
to that end offered by them.
Against the Tormentor.
| A better time could not have been
chosen for the inspection. Both houses
were crowded with people. and both
stages We're filled with scenery and
performers.
Marie Cahill was the attraction M
1.-THE Academy, Tho stage setting was
elaborate, and behind the scenes tho
party found themselves In what 10
them seemed the utmost confusion.
but which was, as matter OF fact
most perfect order. The Mayor took
q peep into ladies' dressing-room.
III ] knew a girl who was stage
struck" he said, II would bring her
here and show her the tawdry tinsel
| and the meagre accommodations OF.
fered, That would cure her"
Keep away from that tormenter
and get hack In the wings" shouted
Sport Fisher the electrician, To tho
Mayor ,as ha started to walk out on
the stage while Miss Cahlll was sing
Ing HE'S Cousin OF Mine"
Tho Mayor sidcstepped and camo
near turning off the lights at the
switchboard
1.-The party went from tho basement
to the top Of tho theatre, the Mayor
s. "a .x J. /.