The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1912-11-30

theatres who have spoken feelingly on
this subject. had his own private
reasons for wishing me 70 make It
strong" in my article
But why did you build so large a
tonT I asked.
A THEATRE BIG ENOUGH TO
DISCOURAGE COMPETITORS
Il did II as a matter OF self-protec-
tion." he explained. 1T has long been
my policy to go to outlying sections
In opening theatres. and usually rye
been followed by competitors in n small
way. So this time decided to put up
a theatre that others would find It hard
to compete with. The Audubon Is IA
much larger theatre than the WASH
ington Heights section needs. and /
don't expect to make any money at the
start. I'm depending upon the future
OF Washington Heights. | always con-
slider the commercial possibilities OF a
proposition beforehand. was in busi-
ness before became a theatrical man"
1t was none OF my business, but
was curious.
IT was In the wooden business" ex-
planned Mr.. Fox. ''My first theatrical
venture was made In 1905, when I took
an old burlesque house in Williamsburg.
II was known as The Bum by the
people of the neighborhood. but I didn't
know 1t was called that until after I'd
leased It. There had been rows and
rumpuses there, and l had u good deal
OF trouble In the municipal departments
getting the necessary permits.
10000 "REsPEcTAsLE PEOPLE"
MARCHED IN PARADE.
Then I began campaign of adver-
Using In the neighborhood. sending out
hundreds OF letters in which l appealed
to the citizenship Of the residents. You
see. objection had been made to the
place, the authorities saying 1t wasn't
respectable. / brought out this point In
my letters The answer came in the
form OF a parade on the opening night.
Ten thousand people marched down
Grand street with ten bands playing.
Yes, sir! And the people carried BAN
ners One of 'em read. We Are Re-
specta BILE People OF Williamsburg. That
was the last ever heard OF The Bum
1t has been a family theatre ever
since"
The cigar that Mr.. Fox paused to
light became torchlight procession
Of 1000 champions of responsibility.
1T was pride more than any none
tary consideration that led me to give
entertainments to the people at prices
within their reach" went on Mr.. Fox.
"a man who Is married and earns only
Sl2 or sl5 a week can't afford to pay
e for a seat In a theatre. can her
NO" ! answered emphatically
well. then. what does he dor
! couldn't say.
I'm tell YOU" volunteered Mr.. Fox.
He stands up at bar until ne ID
drunk and then he goes home and
fights with his wife At least. that's
what he used to do. But now you'll
find him, with his wife and children,
in the theatre. The family 10 united
That's what makes house OF mine
family theatre. 1t affects the saloon
and the pool and billiard parlors."
POPULAR PRICED THEATRE AT.
FECTs BROADWAY GALLERIES.
How does it affect the Broadway
theatres?" l asked the eloquent Mr.
Fox. now revealed as a benefactor.
WELL" he pondered, II should say
It affects only their galleries. Before
popular priced vaudeville and moving
picture shows were given. the fellow
who had only fifty cents In his pocket
never knew what II was to sit down
stairs. He used to hang over tho rail
and dream how he'd look down there
in q dress suit. And now he won't sit
In the gallery. He prefers an orchestra
chair at twenty-five cents. But think
we're helping the Broadway theatres
by getting people In the habit of going
TO the theatre-people who for the hrst
time have been made 10 feel the need