Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-03
0: WHO IS M'GARVEY?'
A: MAN OF MYSTERY;
HE SOUGHT CITY LEASE
City Councils Would Have
Given Him Convention
Hall at Small Rental But
for the Veto Of Mayor
Blankenburg.

J. Edward McGarvey, described as an
amusement promoter, who would have
leased the eity's Convention Hail, Broad
street and Allkgheny avenue, had not
Mavor Blankenburg vetoed the ordinance
RECENTLY passed by Councils, authorizing
the lease at yearly rental of $3.50, Is
"Man of Mystery" today.
All efforts to find McGarvey In Phila-
delphia and other cities have been un-
sueeessful. Since Mayor Blankenburg
vetoed the bill on the ground that the
rental fee as mentioned in the ordinance
was ridiculously inadequate, merchants,
representatives of film agencies and
others have raised the question, who
iB McGarvey?'
II j. Edward McGarvey actually ex-
lists somewhere in Philadelphia or vicln-
inv. he wasn't visible today. Though
known to some Councimen as a NOV
ing picture and amusement promoter
representatives of prominent film COM
panies in this city said today they had
never heard of him. Several film men
frankly admitted that they have gum
shoedi for weeks trying to trace the
mysterious ~. Edward McGarvey' with
out success. The whereabouts of ~.
Edward McGarvey' is Just as much a
mystery as the location of his business
establishment, his home and his amuse-
ment career.
MACKLEER FATHERED BILL.
The ordinance authorizing the leasing
of Convention Hall to McGarvey was In
troduced in Councils some time ago by
Select Councilman Thomas s. T. Mack
Ioer. of the Dist Ward. Mr.. .Iackleer
is a Republican Organization man and
dual officeholder, having the d9ice of chief
clerk in the Juvenile Court. He resides
at 61O East Rector street, RoXborough.
The ordinance had the support OF all
the Republican Organization Councilmen
Among those who championed the meas
ure was Common Councilman George E.
Dorwart, of the 2ist Ward. Mr. Dorwart,
who Is an agent, has offices in the Com
mercial Trust Building and lives at 6222
Ridge avenue. He declares he has met
~. Edward McGarvey" few times on
the fourth floor of the City Hall, where
Councils meet. According to Common
Councilman Dorwart, he spoke to tho
mysterious ~. Edward McGarvey" in the
corridor.
"I spoke to Mr. McGarvey two or three
times" said MIR. Dorwart, when he was
asked whether he knew the much dis
cussed man. 1.-The ordinance authorizing |
the city to lease Convention Hall to Mr..
McGarvey was introduced in Councils by |
Select Councilman Mackleer. l favored |
the ordinance. In my opinion 1t would |
have been better TO lease Convention Hall |
for q certain sum than to have the place |
remain idle
where is Mr@ArcGarvey's homer Dor
wart was queried.
~ can't tell you. because 1 only met |
him a few times" replied Dorwart.
"Undcr what circumstances did you |
meet Mr.. McGarvey?" the questioner |
asked.
"Oh, met him in the corridor of the |
City Hall and spoke to him only few |
minutes" answered Dorwart.
Does Mr.. McGarvey live in Philadel-
phia. or can you say where he lives?" was |
asked,
II really can't say where he resides. |
but think it would have been better to
lease the hall for q certain rental instead
of keeping the place vacant" replied Dor
wart.
MYSTERY TO FILM MEN.
Film men said they never heard of Nc
Garvey. 1t was McGarvey's intention to
exhibit moving pictures in Convention
Hall. If such was the case, film ex-
hibitors said. they certainly would know
something about him. At the Offices of
the General Film Company, 1908 Vine
street where moving picture men from
various parts of the country gather, 1t
was said that McGarvey wasn't known.
The name of ]. Edward McGarvey
doesn't appear in the Philadelphia tele-
phone directory or in the street direc-
tory, An examination of the directories
of New York. Chicago, Buffalo, Clncin-
natl. Washington, Boston, Pittsburgh,
Cleveland, Detroit and other large cities
failed to reveal the name of ~. Edward
McGarvey."
In vetoing the ordinance Mayor blank
enburg said, in his opinion. the sum of
$3.50 was ridiculously inadequate and
would scarcely pay the interest on the
investment. Aside from that, as a motion
picture house Mayor Blankenburg also
considered the place as a menace to the
community because of the fire risk. Many
of Mayor Blankenburg's supporters said
II the place caught fire while being oper-
ated as an amusement hall and was con-
sumed. because of its great size other
buildings the homes of residents in the
neighborhood, would be destroyed. too.
In the meantime hundreds of persons
are asking:
Who is ]. Edward McGarvey?