Evening star., 1909-05-25
CHASE TO BUILD new IHEA1ER
ANNOUNCES PURPOSE AT CON-
DEMNATION HEARING.
Will Construct Elaborate Playhouse
on Southeast Corner of Pennsy1-
vania Avenue and 131a Street.

p. B. Chase, proprietor of the vaude-
vile theater on Pennsylvania avenue
near 18th street, has purchased the
property at the southeast corner of Penn
sylvania avenue and 131a street and
thereon intends to erect playhouse.
This information was cleaned yestef,-
day afternoon, during the hearing before
the commission that is fixing the value
for condemnation Of the land in the five
squares bounded by Pennsylvania avenue.
the Mall, 18th and 18th streets.
Mr.. Chase was a witness before the
commission as to the value Of his pres
ent theater property. He was asked
about his preferences as to a new site
for a playhouse.
II have a site for a theater on the
south side Of Pennsylvania avenue be-
tween the District building and the South
ern railway office" testified Mr.. Chase.
Il am going to build theater there
Then they will not want to tear it down
when they take the land around it..
No Claim Against Government.
1t also developed at the hearing that,
despite the claim filed in the District
Supreme Court for s75O,OOO damages for
the loss of the lease of the site of his
present theater, which runs until 1914.
Mr.. Chase is now asking no such COM
pensation from the government.
1t was shown by witnesses that Mr..
Chase has made an agreement with the
owners of the theater property which
covers all his claims for damages. I'm
der that Mr.. Chase will receive COM
pensation from the owners at the rate
of $4,000 yearly for the unexpired period
his lease has to run after he is dis
possessed.
The agreement, signed by 0. G. Sta
pies, as president of the Grand Opera
House Company, and p. b. Chase, de-
clares that Mr.. Chase has a lease on the
theater running from September 1, 1903.
to August 81. 1914. that the United States
is now engaged in condemning the prop
erty, and that Mr.. Chase can make a
claim before the comisson for the val
ue of his lease, and continues:
I'm consideration that he makes no
such claim. then, in lieu thereof, the said
company agrees to pay to said Chase
at the rate of $4,000 year for such part
of the term of said lease he may be ac-
tually dispossessed of by said govern
ment, payment to be made in cash to
said Chase by said company at the date
he may be SO dispossessed.'
What He Would Pay for Theater.
During the course of the testimony Mr..
Chase declared that the rental value of
the theater was $4,000 per year, and
that he would pay $3.50, 900 for the prop
erty with an entrance on Pennsylvania
avenue. and 100000 without such an
entrance.
Mr.. Chase declared that the local play
house was his first theatrical venture.
He came here, he said, Friday, the 23d
day of the month-December. 1898, he
thought-and took possession of a prop
erty that in alley parlance, was a dead
one"
John H. Nolan was called as witness
as to the value of the buildings at the
corner Of 18th street and Pennsylvania
avenue and Chase's Theater. He testified
that the present value of the Regent Ho-
tel. exclusive of the theater entrance, was
s70,774, the value of the building at 1920
Pennsylvania avenue, also owned by Col.
Staples, was $17.212.50. and the value of
the theater was $177,OOO.