The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-04-14
The CHASE POLICY
IN THEATRICALS
Has Won Profound Respect of
washington TheaterEoers.

The passing OF Chase's from the Ave
nue. deserves more than mere mention.
The transition TO the palatiaI new
home Of polite vaudeville is emphatIcalIy
indicative OF the sound morality Of the
and Is Indisputable proof that honesty
Is the best policy" even as a policy.
and even for theatricais.
In 1880 p. B. Chase leased Aliens
Grand Opera. formerly Kernan's and
previously Albaugh's Grand Opera.
House; in its heyday the scene Of many
notable production, but when taken
by Mr.. Chase Il had fallen upon hard
times, was dark" and popularity called
dead one"
Nothing paid in 1t. not even vaude-
vile, which previously had been tried
out with considerable loss by several
managers Of experience and capital
But that kind OF vaudeville was not
polite vaudeville as Washington has
amply testified since
Polite vaudeville" originated with P.
3. Chase. then an Ohio lawyer who had
become interested in theatricals through
being made receiver for an amusement
enterprise. and who permitted himself
and lease Aliens formerly Albaugh's,
for vaudeville.
Mr.. Chase, came, saw-carefuIly went
over the past OF the theater, inquired
as to its former amusement lines, ques-
toned public sentiment relative to stage
decency-and. then. pinned his name, ef-
fort. money, and faith TO the policy
which is expressed In these words Of his
own coinage: Nothing shall be spoken
or acted in this theater which will Of
fend the sensitive ear OF the most re-
fined lady" Which sentiment Is the es-
sence Of polite vaudeville.
Never before, or at that time, had any
American or foreign manager taken
such advanced ground.
Mr.. Chase. In speaking Of II since, has
often disclaimed any particular credit.
for the reason that he could not and
would not be connected with anything
less Puritanical in policy. In passing.
IL Is worth mentioning that out in Ohio
he had been Sunday school superinten-
dent, a great Y. NJ c. A. supporter, and
recently the donor Of SUFFICIENT funds to
enable his home town to erect a Y. II.
c. A. building. OF which it is vastly
proud.
But to come back to the point-by
sticking everlastingly at it," by ring
ing the curtain down on vulgar vaude-
Williams. by refusing to engage question
able sketches, by turning down notori-
Gus persons exhibited only for gain. by
rejecting the admission money of drunk
en-. uncIean. disorderIy. and objection
able people, by overlooking opportuni-
ties to levy extra prices for extra at
fractions. by charging no more on holt
days than on other days. by making his
theater safe, comfortable. hospitable.
and beautifully such specific measures
as these. and they are only a fraction of
the whole number Of interdicted things
which he and his, as well as his audi
ence. must observe. has Mr.. Chase built
success year after year in a theater for
long time dead one"
Il want 10 express my gratitude
through The Herald to my good friends
and clients in Washington" said Mr..
Chase yesterday for sustained success
during the fourteen seasons now closed.
81 pledge myself to carry out In my
new theater every principle which has
made Chase's acceptable to Washington
In the past In return for the whole
hearted support my efforts have received
have placed polite vaudeville in a struc-
ture worthy OF its patrons. The season
just ended has been the most successful
have known. We open the new house
August 70. and the advance sale begins
August 5. two weeks ahead, instead OF
the usual single week"