East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-03-01

son Pendleton is losing such attrac-
tions as James T. Powers in "Ha-
vana," "The Midnight Sons" Blanch
Ring in "The Yankee Girl" polly
of the Circus" "a Mans World.
''rhe Man on the Box Madam
sherry" "a Gentleman from Mis-
sissippi," Honeymoon Trail" etc.
That also is the reason why Pendle-
ton theatergoers journey to Walla
Walla to see such shows that could
be enjoyed at home, had we n cosy,
comfortable theater of proper dimen-
sions.
AS a representative of the North
western Theatrical association, l feel
it my duty to that association, the
New York Managers Producing as
scciation and the theater- going pub
| lie of Pendleton to appeal to such cit
| izens that have the social, as well as
the commercial interests of our CITY
at heart. 1t is true that many of our
! citizens who are financially able to
! erect a new theater are under the
impression that it will cost from $780,
| 600 to $4,000 for such a building,
and that it would be a losing game.
I agree with them that a $4,000
theater would be a losing game, for 1
do not think Pendleton could pay
reasonable interest on the investment
of that Imount for theatrical purops-
! es. But I do know that reinforced
concrete theater building of proper
dimensions with a seating capacity
of not less than 500 can be erected
lcomplete and ready to open inside of
$4,000. This is not merely heresay,
but facts. I can mention several
towns in the northwest where recent
ly theaters have been built for that
amount: Nampa, Idaho, for instance,
has a new house such as 1 speak of.
Kelso and Dayton, Washington, have
comfortable ground floor theaters
that cost less than the sum 1 men,
toned I am ready and willing to
furnish information relative to the
cost and equipment of the theater
buildings in these several towns
q There is no reason why Pendleton
9 should be set aside by the big attrac-
tions in favor of Mountain Home
Nampa, La Grande and The Dalles
e A new theater in Pendleton will moi
| remain with us over night at least
: but will give social enjoyment to the
: residents in the smaller towns in the
n county, and the many ranchers wh'
k wish to take advantage of a cozy
comfortable theater, where the biz
productions would be properly staged
1 am in receipt of a letter from
: Mr.. John Cort, general manager o
t the Northwestern Theatrical associa
p ton, authorizing me to offer pc
cent net interest on an investmen
u uot to exceed $4,000 and that tn
e Northwestern Theatrical association
y will assume a fifteen year lease wit
= me. so that it will be absolutely saf
l.. with the investor. He also state
> with new house in Pendleton h
= will give me all the big attraction
it that play at the Heilig theater
n Portland.
. An ideal theater location with
Main street entrance is now avail
S' able on a sixty-day option. Pendl
e. ton with it's many improvement
III namely. the Roundup, the asylum, Il
of new federal building, new Main sire
bridge, etc, promised for the We
Vi near future, should also have h
nd share of good things theatrically.
ps new theater will not only be a sour
of pleasure to the local people, p
a boost for Pendleton with the mi
who travels and talks. 1 am
Yours truly,
C. ]. MITCHELL