The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-12
.GREANOR NEAL is
READY TO FIGHT
Objects to City Entering the
Theatrical Business Unless
City Pays License.
MAY APPEAL TO COMMISSION
Believes That City Auditorium
Should Be Taxed if 1t Com
petes With Academy.

IF the city OF Richmond INTENDS 10
enter the theatrical business in COM
petition with those already interesteu
In this business, shall. as the repre-
sentative of the Leath Theatrical com
pany and other interests, appear pc
Tore the State Corporation 'Commis'
sion and ask that the city OF Rich
mond be assessed as would be any
other enterprise engaged in the same
line"
The above is a statement made D!
w. Greanor Neal, the man behind the
money in the Wells organizations, ana
was made in reply to question as to
his attitude in regard to the C'ty
Auditorium being rented to the Shu-
berts for the production OF their road
1dippodrome show Mr.. Neal is man
OF few words. but very long on action.
fie states that he has never had any
objection to the Auditorium being
rented to the "Wednesday Club or kin
dred ORGANIZATIONS In fact, he ad-
m1tted that he was patron of the
Wednesday Club and would be glad II
the city gave the Auditorium free OF
any rental charge.
Patron OF wednesday Club.
The Wednesday Club and similar
organizations have advertised the city
as much as any other one thing. con-
tinued Mr.. Neal Both myself and
Mr.. Wells have the highest regard for
tho men who have its affairs in charge.
1t was for such things that the Audi
torium was built But when the Rad
cl1fe Lyceum Bureau came to Rich
mond. competing with my business,
and rented the hall for almost a song,
objected. I did not carry the objec-
ton to its logical end, for, when the
matter was brought to my attention.
the city had already entered into a
contract with Radcliffe, and I did not
want to Involve the city in suit or
lengthy Obligation.
My associates and myself represent
property values aggregating 100000
In the city of Richmond. We pay n
higher license here than in any city
In which we do business We pay
equally as high taxes, both city and
State. We have fought hard fight
to get good performances for the
Richmond people. When Klaw G. Err
LANCER did our booking and the at
fractions were not up to standard, the
people kicked. Then we went out
after the open door. We thought we
had won. when we were thrown down.
has been done at great financial sac
rifice. Now 1t Is intended to let the
city of Richmond enter into competi-
ton with us by renting to the Shu-
herts the City Auditorium at a price
ridiculously low, and made possible
because the city is exempt from tax
alton.
Action Unconstitutional.
Il am reliably informed that any
such action would be unconstitutional,
and am further advised that there
are few Councilmen who will approve
of such action. 1 shall use every ef-
fort to safeguard my interests. and
If necessary, ] will go into the courts.
The city may have the right to en-
gage in the theatrical business, but If
II has 1t has also the right to &c
into the newspaper business or the
leather business or any other busi-
ness But admitting that the city has
this right, the city should be made
to pay the same taxes imposed on its
competitors"
The City Auditorium is under TIL,
supervision of the Council Committee
on Grounds and Buildings, and action
by this body Will be necessary before
the building can be rented or leased to
any one