The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-05-04
BOTH SIDES now
CLAIM VICTOR Y
Theatre Promoters 10 Attack
Ordinance in Court ii Passed
by Council.
OPPOSITION IN THE BOARD
Five Aldermen to Lead Fight
Against Measure Urged
BY Churches.

| There is every prospect of vigor-
Gus contest in the Council over the
proposed theatre ordinance prohibit
ing the issuance of n license to any
theatre operating within $50 feet of
any church. Both sides are strcnu-
ously claiming victory. and 1t would
appear that only the final roll call
Will show what the result will be. The
ordinance Will be offered In the Coun-
Gil on Friday night. In view of tho
strength Of the opposition, 1t is hardly
anticipated that any effort will be
made TO have II passed under suspen-
sion of the rules. but the paper Will
be allowed 10 take the usual course
and be referred 10 the Council Com
niitcc on Ordinance, Charter and Re-
form That committee is claimed as
being overwhelmingly in its favor. ana
n favorable report to the June Council
Is expected the real fight to come on
the final passage of the measure In
each branch.
The new plan proposed by Eppa
Hunton. Jr.. of the vestry OF st. Paul's
Church. and strongly supported by
members of the congregation of ST.
Peters. was something of bombshcll
TO the theatre interests. who believed
that every obstacle 10 the erection OF
the playhouse at Eighth and Grace
; Streets had been removed. and that
work would begin in clearing the site
! within 4 few weeks
No i'ians Filed Yet.
| No plans for the theatre have as yet
I been ilcd in the Building Inspectors
| office. and therefore, no permit has
been issued by the city for it's erection,
| though MIR Beck has stated that II
the plans conform to the requirements
| a 10 'n1o nd
lations as 10 public safety. he Will have
| no option but to Issue the permit
| The proposed ordinance does not
! prohibit the erection of the building,
I but prohibits the issuance OF license
/ 10 any theatre not now in operation,
| which is located within $50 feet OF
! any church. The provision is made
| that It shall not apply to any play
! house now in operation, so that the
| charge cannot be sustained that the
legislation Is ex post facto. So far the
announced opposition is mainly in the
! hoard of Aldermen, where five mem
/ hers have come out against the ordi-
| nance, as unfair TO those who have
| invested money In the Eighth and
Grace Street property. and who have
! also spent considerable sum for
| plans.
| Another factor In The situation is
| 49, z SdA hiIftNlOu ul EHSt Grace
Street property. within recent months.
! owners of property from Fifth to
ninth realize tina In view of the valua-
tons fixed by recent sales. that part
/ of the street must be given over 10
business purposes Already an enor-
nous furniture store which will have
more than 90 feet of plate glass win
dows along Grace Street. is IN course
OF erection 1t Is pointed out that the
stage of the present Academy of Music
almost adjoins the rear of St Paul,s
church, and that the same is the case
WIN inc Colonial Theatre and at ST.
johns German Evangelical Church.
The promoters Of the theatrical Won
ture indicate their purpose to go ahead
with the erection OF tie building. and
II the ordinance passes and license
70 open 1t is refused application Will
pc maze Tor mandamus. and the
constitutionality OF the ancasuro tested
in The courts