The Washington herald., 1908-06-14
THE CLOSING OF CHASE'S.
The Prospects for the Future Of
Vaudeville Here.

The Prospects for the Future OF
Vaudeville Here.
! Chase's brought its tenth season OF DO
! lite vaudeville TO a close last night, and
II has been one Of the most successful in
its history. Next season the theater will
/ throw open its doors on August 81
and the management forecasts a sea
son Of forty weeks or more filed with a
STEADY succession of European apd Ameri-
can novelty creations.
In the meantime Chase's passes to-
morrow into the hands Of the renovators.
decorators. and artists. emerging in time
/ for the fan opening with added beauties.
comforts, and conveniences, sustaining
/ It's wide reputation OF being the hand
somest best conducted, and most popu-
/ lar polite vaudeville theater I'm this coun-
/ try
The imminence OF the possibility that
the block in which Chase's stands will be-
come the property of the government in
no manner disturbs the management IN
the fulh!lment Of the between-seasons
Identification or affects the efforts always
being made 10 secure the best attractions
that can be obtained. The permanency
or Chase's success long ago warranted
the management I'm assuming that Chase's
has become an institution In Washing
ton. For years past Chase's has con-
fronted the probability that its present
site would be necessary In enabling the
government 10 expand its building area
and perfect the identification Of the city.
and Chase's has never, and will never. in
/ terpose an objection. believing long ago
that such plans are in keeping with the
national character OF the Capital CITY. a
character 20 which IL has contributed by
maintaining a theater unequaled I'm the
wholesomeness Of its attractions and
praised Tor the refinement and beauty OF
the environment IL has offered the cos
mopohtans OF Washington. Chase's could
as well have chosen q permanent site for
lis enduring habitation year ago or five
years ago. as II can now. year hence or
al any future time when the occasion
arises. With al the newspaper and Con
sressional talk IN the past Of the govern
mental eventual purchase OF the present
Cnase site, IL Is hardly conceivable that
Cnases S would be the last 10 appreciate
the long evident fact that removal Will
some day be necessary and that IL will
awake 10 find itself siteless and house
less.
Neither Cnase's nor its management IS
afflicted with sOmnolency In this or anv
other regard concerning its very impor-
tant local and theatrical interests. but the
management states. I'm order TO remove
any misapprehenslon in this respect from
The minds OF any unaware or mislnforued
as 10 the actual facts. that Chase's IS
prepared 70 endure 10 remote perpetuitv
or, IN other words. Chase's will be here
IN Washington long after the readers Of
tnls article are gathered 10 their fathers
since Congress began 20 discuss actively
the question Of purchasing all the land
on the south side Of the Avenue tbe
management has been fairly besieged by
property owners and capitalists. In the
last Few weeks a score Of sites and as
many fortunes have been placed AT the
disposal Of the management. Even the
newspapers have given credence 10 sew
er1l reports. To none Of these has Chase.s
gwen more than courteous heed. for the
simple reason that Chase's long ago made
up It's mind as 10 when its permanent
habitation would be erected. and. II should
be added. but not with unkindlv intent
that the site IS not one OF the many often
debated, although a person standing at
the southeast corner OF Fifteenth street
ana Pennsylvania avenue can see now the
spot upon which Chases will build It's
sold and successful foundation for the
years 20 come. In due time public curl
osity viii De gratined. and long before n
Will become necessary 10 tenant the struc-
ture the new Chase's Will be in readiness.
II will be owned land and edifce. bv p
i. Chase. and the name "Chase's" Will
blaze It's permanent assurance Of polite
vaudeville over its doors. Il being Mr..
Chase's intention 10 make the new Chase's
comparable in beauty 10 the stately na-
uonal buildings here and 10 have IL stand
as a memorial to polite vaudeville"
To-day the polite vaudeville interests in
The theatrical world are compactlv and
permanently affiliated the alliance in
cluding b. F. Keith, F. r Proctor. Percy
Williams, Oscar Hammerstein. 2. B.
Chase. and other foremost magnates In
this field, and this combination insures
not only prevention from infringement
among themselves, but IL also provides
protection against extraneOus encrOach-
ment, and guarantees an extent and quail
ity % attractions which no unafIliated
could hope 70 obtain. The pos
sioility Of any opposition 10 Chase's from
any OF the affiliated is, therefore. remote.
and the probability of any opposition of
any character whatsoever being able 10
offer line Of attractions that would d.
minish the popularity of Chase's is equal
~ as II not more, remote. These condl-
tons are not the product Of merely friend
ly considerations. but while they are in
cluded, they are subordinated TO con-
tracts having legal inviolability and bust
ness sanctity for their binding effect.
Chase's success has not been accidental.
Il has grown out of an unselfish wish 10
give Washington the cleanest entertain !
ment, in the handsomest environment. |
and AZ the lowest price possible on such |
a foundation as this Chase's has built its /
reputation and reared its standard. and /
the future holds no hazard affecting eth |
ar the continuity Of the performance or |
The popularity Of the theater. The price |
~ the daily matinees next season will be /
. cents for every seat in all parts Of the /
theater