The Washington times., 1908-07-05
NEW AUDITORIUM
TO COST $485,OOO
Structure Will Be Four
Stories High, Containing
Theater and Hotel.
SUMMER GARDEN
FOR HOT WEATHER
Mothers Can Check Their Babies
in Nursery-Stairways Elimi-
mated When Possible.

The new theater and hotel which it is
planned TO build on the lot now occu-
pied by houses Nos. 1513-15-17-19 and the
Fredonia Hotel on II street northwest.
by the Auditorium Amusement Com
pany, and for which plans and specln-
cations have already been prepared, WIZ
offer many attractions ana turnlsn
Washington with the largest and most
complete line OF amusement possibilities
in the South.
There are many features OF interest in
the proposed plan. 1t will give 10 Wash
ington not only vaudeville attractions
during forty weeks OF the theatrical
season. but Will NIL the need for large
auditorium here
The structure viii be four stories
high. The general plan of the Fredonia
Hotel Will remain unchanged. A new
front will be erected and the interior
will be equipped with the most modern
appliances. In the hotel will be a large
palm garden open summer and winter
and one Of the special features will be
the inducements to after-theateU supper
parties.
Eliminate Most Stairways.
IN the theater portion every effort was
made by the architect, w. II. McElfa-
trick. Of New York. 10 eliminate prac-
ticaIIy all stairways, the inclined plane
being used wherever feasible The base
ment hocr VIII be made into a skating
rink. and it will be so equipped and
constructed that il VIII be an ideal place
for the holding Of indoor meets ana
other indoor athletic contests. on the
next floor will be the theater. with mann
floor. mezzanine boxes and two galleries.
All seats will be sold at popular prices.
That the vaudeville attractions will be
OF the lest is shown by the ten-vear
contract which has been signed with
William Morris, the New York theatrical
rnanag ger. Negotiations ciiHching this
arrangement were concluded IN New
York city on Friday.
What will prove another attractive
feature Of the venture VIII be large
summer garden on the top floor OF the
building This will be so constructed
that during Indictment weather IL can
be enclosed and when the weather is
clear there viii be no covering or sides
u IT, It's height from the ground
should make It as cool a place as can
be found inside the city limits During
the summer months a band viii give
concerts on the roof garden every even
ing.
Mothers May Check Babies.
Besides retiring rooms. for women.
and a smoking room Tor men. a novel
plan suggested by W. F. Thomas, pro-
rnoter and manager OF the company,
Will be a nursery on the first floor where
mothers may check their babies and
know that they will receive excellent
care from a corps Of trained nurses.
1,a Vr-ffh
eral physicians to be always ready in
case Of emergency TO answer calls to
the theater.
The building Will be as near fire.
proof as a modern structure can be and
there will be a complete system Of cleo
trio fire alarm signals through the
building. There viii be three elevators
and the construction will be steel re
enforced with concrete. Steam heat
win be installed and a complete patent
cooling plant will add to the comfort OF
the patrons during warm weather
VIII Cost S485,ooo.
The cost Of the property or which the
theater and hotel VIII stand cost IN
the neiEhbOrhood OF 900 and about
$1,000 moro will be spent on cOnstruc-
ton and improvements
The new corporation is known as the
Auditorium Amusement Company and
includes among its executive officers
four OF Washingtou's best known bust
ness men They are Samuel Ross, presi-
dent; EIdridge Jordan, OF the Merchants
and Mechanics Savings Bank, vice pres
ident; Edmund i. Fox. OF A. F. Fox &
Co. secretary and treasurer, and VII
liam F. Thomas, manager. Il is organ
ized under the laws OF the State OF
Virginia.
Five thousand shares OF stock will be
issued to residents Of Washington. An
interesting prospectus setting forth the
benefits to be derived through holding
stock in the company has been cIrculat-