The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-11
CHURCHES UNITE
TO FIGHT THEATRE
St. Peters and St. paul's Oppose
New Playhouse on
Grace Street.
WILL ASK OTHERS TO HELP
Building Inspector Has No
Power to Interfere. Even
With Protest.
WILL ASK OTHERS TO HELP

The congregation of St Peters Ro-
man Catholic Church. northeast cor
her Eighth and Grace Streets. through
committee. and the CONGREGATION or
ST Pauls Episcopal Church. Ninth ma
trace streets. through It's vcstry have
taken concerted action against the
erection OF theatre al the southeast
corner Of Grace and Eighth Streete
All denominations of tho CITY Viii ho
ASKED TO support tho two churches
CLOSELY situated near the proposed
P'dce OF amusement in their stand
against its establishment
The committee representing tho con-
sregation of st. Peters Church met
yesterday morning and adopted reso-
iutions depioring the proposed move
on the part of local thea trical people,
ana called upon the vestry of St, Paul's
70 Join in the movement. 4 special
meeting of the vestry of st Paul's
was held last night. and a COMMITTEES
appointed TO carry out the idea of that
BODY in protesting to proper a,lthori-
tics against the location Of the new
theatre near tho churches.
Commlstcc Appointed.
Ihe following committee represent
ing st Faults will act:
Eppa IIunton. Jr.. chairman: r. Ran
Wexford Fred w Scott Frank D
III
Il. lfohson, Walter " Morton, John
r. Anderson and \. f. Blair
Andrew J. Kavanaugh was selected
as chairman Of the committee repre-
senting st. Peters in the fight
The churchmen announced at tho
conclusion Of the meeting that they
will use every possible overture to
obtain the end in view By pcacca bic
means but il was intimate ted that they
viii strive for victory no matter what
the cost may be
The I1piscopalians werc also agreed
that they would ask other denomina-
tons in Richmond 10 lend their aid
in the fight. Steps will be taken TO
present tho matter before the other
churches, and there is no question but
there Will be q concerted movement
upon the part OF all ministers to up
hold the position taken by the MEM
bcrs OF 81, Peters and st. Pauls.
The theatrical interests have appar-
entity no idea OF abandoning their pro
icct. and are going ahead with their
plans for modern playhouse for
Richmond.
Preparing Now 10 Build.
The property at Eighth and Grace
Streets was recently acquired by II.
S. Wallers;cin for the purpose of put
ting up the new structure With the
idea Of leasing it TO Jake Wells ana mis-
associates.
The Building Inspector has given his
sanction to plans for razing the houses
which now occupy {. portion Of the site.
The protests Of the churches notwith-
standing, the work. 1t is understood,
will go ahead
The Building Inspector is without
power to stop the erection of a thea
tire. If the plans submitted to him are
In accordance with the city building
code.
Drawing for the theatre have not
set been received, b4 they Will be an
proved in the Office of the Building In
spector il they conform 20 the law.
Being aware OF the fact that they
cannot prevent the erection Of any
building. no matter OF what descrip-
ton. those opposing tile plan have
mapped out line Of action which. i
carried into effect after the building
IS complete. will cause the theatre no
emu Of difficulty.
When applica ton is made 70 the
city Council for a license to operate a
public place Of amusement, in case
the proposed theatre is built. the
granting of it will be fought Should
the license be granted despite the
protests, the church people will fight
the same battle the following year
they say.