Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1914-03-30
''The Rogue Name
For New Theatre

| AiSHitSCI NeOrSe ID. TuTNlS, mas Deen
a veritable school of instruction in
rapid construction work to the me-
chanics engaged on the job and to
the general public as well. Certain
it is that Ashland has never seen a
building of its magnitude progress
toward completion so rapidly.
There have been on the job from
the start between twenty and thirty
local men-an average crew of TWEEN
ty-five. From starting time in the
morning until quitting time in the
evening the noon hour-the
clang of hammers and the swish of
saws is so constant as to be almost
rhythmic. The great amount Of con-
crete materials and lumber that are
being literally "eaten up" by the crew
daily is, to say the least, unusual in
Ashland
Mr.. Purvis is genius in the hand
ling of men and declares he has never
had a more willing crew than the
Ashland bunch. The men are paid
forty-five cents per hour-which is
above the average-and are well sat
isfied to give Mr.. Purvis the best SER
vice that is in them.
The building is now assuming such
shape that the general aspect of the
interior is discernible. In comment
ing on the construction of the build
ing Mr.. Purvis declares that it will
be as nearly fireproof as it is possible
to make it and that in this regard it
will be absolutely safe. The origin
of most theatre fires being from the
stage, it is being particularly safe
guarded in this respect.
The dressing rooms are below the
stage and every one has fireproof
walls and ceiling of metal lath and
cement plaster and also has concrete
floors. The stage has two floors and
between these layer of asbestos.
The proscenium wall is twelve-inch
fireproof wall running from the foun-
dation to the roof, with a fireproof
arch over the opening. An automatic
skylight hangs over the stage. 1t is
eighty square feet in size. 1t forms
chimney, drawing all smoke and
fire from the auditorium in case of
fire on the stage. In addition, 200
pound asbestos curtain hangs between
the audience and the stage. This
works automatically. There is also
an automatic water curtain. In case
of fire II releases three streams of
water on each side Of the asbestos
curtain.
In regard to the auditorium there
will be ample exits for all the people
that can possibly crowd into the thea
tre. There will be six exits in front
and two at the rear. The doors will
have no inside locks or bars. They
will push open from the inside and
in case of fire there will be no bars
or bolts to be withdrawn. The audi
ence will simply walk down the am
pie exits provided and the doors will
be ready for use. A panic under
these conditions is impossible.
The comfort of the public is being
well attended to-especially that of
the ladies'. Upstairs to the right
there will be large and commodious
dressing room beautifully furnished.
In it will be everything needed by the
ladies-mirrors, lots of lights and all
the necessary accessories to make the
room convenient and useful. On the
left will be a smoking room and ac-
cessories for use of the men-with
chairs for lounging and smoking be-
tween acts, etc. The new theatre
will be so constructed as to be readily
kept in clean and wholesome condi-
tion and will be gone over thoroughly
every day with a vacuum cleaner so
that the whitest of dresses may be
worn anywhere with perfect safety.
Messrs. Vining and Purvis are very
busy men, not only by day but also
by night. Meetings are held nightly
to plan for the next days work, to
order supplies and equipment, ar
range for insurance, etc. The mag
lnificent carpets and draperies for the
main auditorium and the boxes have
been ordered and even the tickets
have been arranged for. Contracts
will be let this week for the plumbing
and lighting. One and probably both
will go to local men The clinker
brick are on the ground for the front
Of the building, which ia to be highly
ornate. The building will probably
be heated by electricity.
The opening Of the theatre will
probably be the greatest social event
in the history of Ashland. Prices for
that evening will be special, as is Gus
tomary, and boxes are already being
spoken for. The evenings bill will
be one of the very best that can be