davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1918-01-01

You can take your encyclopedia,
eleventh edition, India paper with
flexible binding, and hunt from suede
to suede without finding out the rea-
son why the thirteenth chair is IN
lucky
As a matter of fact it is unlucky
only for certain people, and among
those people is not numbered Bayard
WELLER. whose Thirteenth Chair"
enjoyed it's first Washington produc-
tion at the Belasco last night.
Mr.. Veiller's composition. for il is
not less than that, has a mystery
separate and distinct in every act. In
the first the audience is puzzled as
to how the medium raises the table
without any visible means of levita-
ton, in the second is the problem of
the murder of Edward Wales. and in
the third is the question of what
opens the door through which the
dead body of the second victim Of
the mysterious knife had shortly be
fore disappeared.
In how tense a state OF mind the
audience sits through the two hours
Of dialogue and action was evidenced
by the subdued scream of a woman
who was hit by a program acct
dentally falling from a box above her
and who gave every evidence that
she thought that the realism of the
stage had been extended into the
orchestra seats.
The story of the play. briefly told,
and in its telling divulging none OF
its mysteries, concerns the killing of
one man and the attempt of another
to find the identity of the slayer, in
the process of which attempt he him
self is killed in an equally mysteri-
Gus manner. In seeking the solution
he employs the psychic attachments
of Nine. Rosalie La Grange Miss An
ME RusselD. who, as an honest me-
dunn, confesses that she is at least
half faker. but that sometimes she is
more than half truthful.
How she solves the mystery and
what the result Of that solution is
both in happiness and sorrow is not
TO be told, else much of the pleasure
of the play would be destroyed for
those who, IL they have not already
done so, will shortly be applying at
the box office for whatever seats have
not already been sold to earlier ap
plicants.
Miss Russell, whose part is the
most prominent in the play, brings
to bear the wealth of talent of which
she is possessed and which Washing
ton audiences are privileged to enjoy
all too seldom. Her scenes. whether
alone, as in the most tense moment Of
the play, or with the whole cast sur
her. are filled with convic-
ton and reality.
Mr.. Jennings, who. as the detective.
furnishes an excellent example for
the study of Major Pullman's work
men, gives one of the few truthful
pictures that any actor has offered
Of a real detective pursuing his regu
lar occupation. Some time somebody
is going to give an equally truthful
picture of a newspaper reporter, but
no one has done il yet. 1t would be
a fine thing for Mr.. Jennings to at
tempt.
The rest OF the cast is capable. but
they serve chiefly as objects of suspi-
zion for everyone in the audience.
with each character Deing accused
as the action proceeds.
THE Thirteenth Chair" is a thriller,
but, unlike a lot in its class. it is a
good thriller, and that it why you
should see it.
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
LOEw,s COLUMBIA,

Douglas Fairbanks in "A Modern
Musketeer" is the attraction at Loew's
Columbia for the entire week The story
is taken from the Three Musketeers'
Of Alexandra Dumas, a romance Of
France in the time Of Louis XIV and
Cardinal Richelieu. But Fairbanks does
not portray the role Of D'Arta gnan, who
Is the central figure OF the Dumas ro-
nance. He Is a young Ransan who
figures that the attire and manners Of
the seventeenth century swashbucltler
will enable him to make a tremendous
hit with the young women OF his ma
tive State. These romantic ideas might
have worked out more to his notion
in another section OF the country at
another period. but It does not get
across" with the girls OF the Sunfiower
State.
One can readily comprehend what op-
portunities for fun a situation such as
this presents to inimitable Fairbanks,
and he makes the most Of II. Capacity
audiences were kept In a constant roar
at each performance yesterday OF "A
Modern Musketeer"
Pictorially, the photoplay Is one Of
the most effective In which Douglas
Fairbanks has been filmed. The action
of the story Is shifted to the Grand
Canyon of the Colorado. and the cam
era men had an opportunity to build
a series OF really beautiful pictures for
which nature provided the settings.
The Hearst-Pathe news pictorial and
short comic reels complete the bill.
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
POLLS.

The cold wave had no terrors for
the crowd of frstnighters always on
the job at Polls. They were treated
to a more tuneful and even funnIer
performance than was the first show
given by the Poll Musical Comedy
Players.
step This Way" a mixture OF Eng
lish, French, and American, gives
several members of the company a
chance to shine as dialect artists, and
the audience seemed to agree tnat
they had succeeded in their efforts.
First honors were divided between
George Natanson and Billy Lynn-the
former as Duval, decidedly French,
although the proprietor OF an Amer
lean department store in London, and
the latter as Lord Augustus Gushing
ton, whose only assets are a title
and a large amount OF conceit.
Lew Powers took excellent care OF
one OF the strong parts. As Henry
Schniff, with plenty of money and a
wife who was anxious to spend II,
he was repeatedly applauded. Sarah
Edwards was equally as pleading as
Mrs. Schniff
Louise Mink and Lillian Crosman
were much in the limelight, with
Elise Bartlett close second. Eula-
lie Young drew many laughs.
Songs a-plenty are on the card. In
Guiding a number of duets, which
drew encores The chorus seemed ex-
ira liveIy-they probably had to be
to keep warm.
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
ID. f. KEITH's.

bill above the average opens the
1918 season at 3. F. Keith's and fur
nishes the program builder q high
mark to shoot at in the weeks to
come.
It's hard to play favorites and pick
a headliner, but Roy Tern and Marion
Davis. seen for the first time here in
a skit called "A Nightmare Revue"
won urstinted and continued ap-
plsuse. They can dance. sing, and
act in a refreshing manner and put
over" nut stuff with abandon. The
gowns worn by Miss Davis are fetch
ing
Percy wenrich and Dolly Connolly
are back again with a new line OF
songs that Miss Connolly scores with.
and they were all written by her
partner. where Do We Go From
Here. Boys?" made the biggest hit
Memories OF Harry Clay Blaney are
revived by the closing act, "On the
High Sea-" in which an American
boy, wireless operator. foils a Ger
man agent in command OF q liner.
which is acting as supply base for
U-boats. There is a spectacle in this
act showing the American feet in &C
ton that is thrilling.
AL Lyddell and Bob Higgins. in a
rural comedy sketch, won round aft
er round of laughter. The character
of an old but ambitious grandpa
tickled the first nighters.
Hassard Short and company return
in THE Ruby Ray" and merited their
share OF approval. Mr.. Short gives
a subtle Characterization OF a love
sick society man. who forgets his
troubles in the cup that cheers.
Mile. Renee FIorigueZ. pianiste
from France. delighted with several
classical selections
The Breen family opens the enter
tainment with an act that is a young
show in itself Instead of
closing the bill. the Hearst-Pathe
news pictorial comes right after the
overture this week.
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
Join SAVING RANKS
IS NEW YEAR PLEA
FROM CALLAHAN

"On this New Year Day I can
wish every citizen of the District
nothing better than to join the ranks
of those who have made possible the
ever increasing success of the war
savings campaign"
This is the New Year greeting to
day to the citizens OF Washington
from D. ]. Callahan, director Of the
District War Savings Committee:
'Your first resolution of the New
Year should be one that will COM
pei you to do your share toward
bringing the war to a victorious end
by investing your savings with Uncle
SAM" he said. 1.-The sooner the
country begins to save the sooner
the war will be over. The motto of
every citizen OF the National Capital
should be Save, Save, Save And
We should constantly bear in mind
that "A country worth fighting for
is a country worth saving for"
Heads of the fraternRl orders in
the District have been summoned to
q meeting Wednesday night in the
Metropolitan Bank Building at 8
o'clock by Chairman Hathaway Of
the fraternal orders committee of
the District War Savings Committee.
This will be the first meeting of the
executive heads of the fraternal or
ders of the District. War savings
organization among the societies has
been completed, and this is to be the
first conference.
Kemper Cowing, director of pub
licity for the District War Savings
Committee, has received a large sup
ply Of new posters and war savings
literature, which are ready for dis
tribUtion- Sales agents for war saw
tngs and thrift stamps may procure
posters and advertising matter at
Cowing's office, 500 Metropolitan
Sank Building.
The Washington times., 1918-01-01

up. daIlies with the fIeshpots and
awakes three days later in a lower
East Side saloon, bedraggled, penni-
less and without hat, coat, overcoat
or watch. He Is about to be kicked
out by an irate bartender when Mis-
ter Antonio the philosophical hur-
dy-gurdy man, arrives on the scene.
The Iowly musician supplies an over
coat, cap and enough money to tele-
graph home for funds.
Later, Mister Antonio arrives in
the village OF Avalonia at a time
when June Ramsey. ward OF the
mayor, is getting a taste OF the
treatment accorded a young woman
who supposedly falls from the paths
of rectitude at the hands OF a SNUG
and yirtuous community. where all
are so we'll satisfied with their own
superiority they can find no charity
in their hearts for any who fail to
live up to the established standards.
The broader philosophy of Mister
Antonio grasps the situation imme-
diately, and by threatening the
mayor with exposure OF his New
York adventure, saves June from be-
ing turned out into the world, alone
and friendless.
Mr.. Skinner has never appeared to
better advantage in recent years than
in the title role, and Eleanor Wood
ruff lends a sweet and convincing
personality to the character she de-
lineates that adds immeasureably to
the charm of the piece. Robert Har-
rison, as the half-witted partner of
Antonio, leaves nothing to be de-
sired, and Joseph Brennan, as the
virtuous mayor, plays his part to
perfection. Agnes Marc, as a fire.
quenter OF the New York saloon and
lance hall, gives a portrayal true to
life. The remainder of the extern
sive cast, the same which supported
Mr.. Skinner last year, is equally capa-
BILE.
All Washington theatergoers will
rejoice that Mister Antonio" has re-
turned for another visit.
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
CUMBERLAND GAS
SHORTAGE CAUSES
MUCH SUFFERING

CUMBERLAND. Nd. Jan. 1.-Great
suffering Is being caused here by ma
tural gas shortage. The pressure be-
came very low with the zero weather
Of yesterday.
Persons dependent entirely upon
gas having no coal stoves. are hard
hit Since the introduction Of ma
tural gas, a number OF houses we're
built without chimneys.
Reports from Hancock tell Of sur
fering in some families there because
OF scarcity OF coal. which has been
doled out by the bushel. Some Han
cock dealers have been asking 80 for
short ton OF bituminous, II IL
charged. and complaint will be made
to the Fuel Administration.
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
Avenue Grand.

The workings OF the modern mar
risge market" supply the theme for
THE Auction Block" the attraction
at Crandalrs Avenue Grand yester-
day. Based upon Rex Beach's pop
ular novel of the same title, it has
for its heroine Lorelei knight, beau
tiful daughter OF an INSCRIPTIONS
country town politician and a nag
ging mother. Finally, she is bought
in marriage, to put it plainly, by a
son of a millionaire, who is
reputed to have more money than he
really possesses. Then comes the
awakening and a series of gripping
occurrences which hold the interest
to the last. Robye de Remer heads
the large cast which appears in this
subject.
THE Son OF His Father" featuring
Charles Ray. is being shown today.
The program for the remainder OF
the week follows: Tomorrow, Ethel
Barrymore in 1.-THE Eternal Mother;
Thursday, Constance Talmadge in
Scandal: Friday, June Caprice in
Miss U. S. A.: Saturday, Julian
Eltinge in THE Clever Mrs. Carfax".
and the comedy, His Uncle Dudley.
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
LYCEUM THEATER.

Charlie Graham and his Burlesouers
are at the Lyceum this week. present.
ing a musical extravaganza. The Dew
IFS Bride The music is tunefuI and
the plot allows Graham TO display his
nimble wit Gus Mortimer and Billy
Benton ably support Graham in the
comedy scenes.
Lottie Gibbons heads the feminine az
gregation. and scored in popular songs
and dances. Mae Altman and Blanche
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
ALL LIBERTY BONDS
READY BY FEBRUARY

Liberty Bonds needed for purchss-
ers during the last two campaigns
will be finished by the end OF this
month, James L. wilmeth, director
Of the Bureau OF Engraving and
Printing, announces. During the If
teen day period ending last Saturday.
the bureau has turned out $500. 900
bonds and the big plant Is all ready
to start on the next bond campaign.
The number OF employees has in
creased enormously. At the begin
ming OF the war there were 1000 en-
ployes while today there are $500. In
one day, recently. when the sale of
stamps was increased enormously,
this force put out Ill ,0O0, 900.
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
WRGIN|ANS' KICK
WINS COAL ORDERS
FROM FUEL CHIEF

There was a near fight at the
Emergency Bureau OF the local Fuel
Administration when fifty irate Vir-
ginians were informed by the clerks
in charge of the + street station in
this city that no coal orders would
be issued for VirGinians.
You must go to Virginia" a dele
cation from Clarendon, Va, was told.
What part"
Richmond"
80 Miles Away.
But that's more than 100 miles
from our home. We live four miles
from Washington"
Cant help il: those are the or
ders," replied one of the men in
charge OF 1903 F street
That was yesterday.
Today these same Virginians re-
ceived a different reception and
heard:
Make out your orders. gentlemen.
II you can haul your soft coal, we can
give you each a half ton"
Twenty Are Appeased.
About twenty men who came to-
day prepared to make loud protests
to John l.. Weaver. local coal admin
istrator. were greatly appeased when
the change in orders was made
known.
At the coal station for several
hours yesterday the place was jam
med with indignant citizens who
were in need OF coal.
Through a change in orders coal
cards were being issued for Virgin
ians today at the emergency station
in Washington. 1t is for coal that
is being stored in that state and will
not take any coal out of this district
ii was said.
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
Varied Attractions at Capitals P1ayhouses

Thomas Holding and Anders Randolf.
every opportunity to make real an
intensely gripping narrative with the
great war for a background which
in universally OF appeal would be
commensurate with the massive sur
roundings amid which the film was
made.
The outdoor views beggar descrip-
ton, and among other diverting
things disclose inspiring scenes at
West Point.
The New Years bill is completed
by an interesting edition OF the news
pictorial and also Patent Attorneys"
one of the funniest Mutt and JEFF ami
mated cartoons yet released. From
Thursday to Sunday the chief attrac-
ton will be THE Mark OF Cain" pic
turing Mrs. Vernon Castle and An
tonic Moreno.
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
GARDEN.

New Year week is ushered in at
Moore's Garden Theater with the pre-
sentation of a screen version Of f.
Phillips oppenheim's popular novel,
The Hillman." under the title OF
an the Balance" Earle williams Is
starred In the role OF John Strange
way, the recIuse who left his ances-
trail home up in the high country to
come down to the city and WOO
beautiful actress. who. by a queer
twist OF Fate, had been thrown upon
his hospitality.
The character OF the simple young
man OF the mountains who dares the
pitfalls of a peculiarly hIgh-strung
metropolitan life to press his ardent
suit upon charming Louise haurel.
the actress. even in the face of the
bitter rivalry OF the Prince OF Seyre,
Is one for the Interpretation OF which
Mr.. Williams is in every sense
equipped.
The indoor settings used in this
picture reflect excellent judgment.
and the outdoor views have seldom
been paralleled in picturesqueness.
These agreeable attributes all are
utilized in emphasizing the dramatic
qualities OF a story that holds Interest
from first reel to last and refuses to
wander into the devious paths OF lurid
melodrama or sex problems. There is
spirited action in more than one
scene, but nothing that insults reason
or outraRes credulity.
His wife Got All the Credit" a
comedy with an original idea, and
dignihed by serious treatment on the
part OF a competent cast. and the
news pictorial are also included In
the program.
From Thursday to Sunday the bill
will be featured by Her Sister,"
starring Olive Tell.
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
GEN. SHERWOOD TO LECTURE.

Gen. Isaac Sherwood, Congressman
from Ohio. will deliver a lecture to
the Anthony League Thursday even
ing at S o'clock at the rooms OF the
Woman's National Suffrage head
quarters. 1920 Rhode Island avenue.
on Historical Literature Of the War"
Music will be furnished by Miss Leo
nora Sherwood.
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
CRANDALL's.

Futreher adventures of Bah. heroine
of Mrs. Rinehart's delightful Sub
Deb" stories, are chArmingIy related
in "Bab's Matinee IDOL" yesterdays
attraction at Crandall.
In this picture, the little boarding
school girl attends her first play and
falls in love with the leading man.
Learning later that the play is not a
success, Bah plans a press-aRent
stunt. The star is to go to the factory
owned by Bab's father and there de-
mand work. proclaiming the world
owes me a living" a line from the
play, and be forcefully thrown out.
How the scheme fails to work out
and Bah is cured, makes a whirlwind
OF fun.
Vernon Steele. Nigel carrie and
Frank Losee are prominent members
of the supporting cast. Today's at
traction is THE Secret of the Storm
Country, featuring Norma Talmadge.
Commencing tomorrow and continu-
ing for the remainder of the week,
d. W. Griffith's colossal picture, I'm
tolerance, will hold the screen.
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
NO WAFER; BIG FIRE.

NORTHFORK, W. Va, Jan. IA
loss OF 100000 and the destruction
OF an entire business block was the
result of a fire here yesterday. It
was twelve hours before the flames
were controlled. frozen water mains
handicapping the fremen.
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
mARcoNI TO COME HERE.

ROME, Jan. William Marconi
will represent Italy as high commits
sioner to the United States. Marconi,
inventor of the wireless, was a mem
Der OF the Italian mission which Wis
tied the United StateA
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
COAL SITUATION
IMPROVES DESPITE
CONTINUED COLD

washington's emergency ccal sit
uation was somewhat easier today
despite the continuance OF zero wealth
er.
Three cars OF anthracite coal,
which arrived yesterday, were added
to the emergency dumps today for dis .
tributiOn through the emergency bu-
reau at 1908 F street northwest.
One of the cars was consigned to
Mr. Weaver for the emergency stores
The other two were Communicated
from a dealer.
Most OF this anthracite coal will be
distributed to the bushel dealers who
are supplying the poor. This will take
probably two thirdT OF the supply. The
balance will be distributed on order
to persons seeking to buy in larger
quantities. Not more than half a ton
will be given any applicant.
Enough Soft Coal.
There is still a sufficient supply of
bituminous coal. This will be dis
tributed to applicants today, a ton at
a time. Those who can use bitumin-
Gus coal will be given orders when
they apply at the emergency bureau.
Further arrivals OF anthracite coal
are expected during the day
The principal difficulty met in coal
distribution today was the labor prob
lem. Dealers and the Emergency
Bureau started out with half a force
and had a hard time keeping 1t. The
men are loath to work on the coal
dumps and on the carts in zero
weather, and in addition the day was
a holiday, and many drivers and coal
handlers were unwilling to forego It
even IL half OF Washington suffered.
Members of the local Fuel Admin
istration had no holiday today. John
L. Weaver, fuel administrator, was on
the job. looking after new supplies
and distribution OF those on hand.
The Emergency Distribution Bureau
was open to care for applicants for
coal, and will remain open all day.
Must show Need.
The small amount of anthracite
available will be furnished only to
those having heating facilities in
which it is manifestly impossible to
burn soft coal. Others are being |
told that they will have to take BIZ |
luminous as the only thing available. |
There is sufficient coal on the |
dumps about Washington to prevent |
real suffering by those who are able /
to buy coal. but the labor situation
is so acute that 1t cannot be rapidly |
handled.
Applicants to the dealers, including |
those who have emergency orders, are
being urged to make their own de-
liyeries wherever possible.
Many automobile owners are sack
ing coal and taking 1t home. Ex-
press wagons and trucks are almost |
impossible to obtain.
The Washington times., 1918-01-01

Wilcox are also members Of the cast
upon whom much Of the singing and
dancing falls.
The chorus OF twenty-four has been
carefully trained. and can sing and
dance above the average
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
STRAND.

Madame Olga Petrovs plays the
stellar role in Daughter OF Destiny"
which is at Moore's Strand Theater
as the attraction for the FIRST half Of
New Years week. 1t is a silent
drama OF magnificent proportions.
which by the elaborateness OF its in
vestiture and the highly dramatic
quality OF its story, offers the star
every incentive to do the best work
Of her career before the camera.
Madame Petrova's distinctive per-
sonality and intelligent acting may
always be relied upon to create in
terest in any picture in which she
appears, but in this instance reliance
was not placed entirely upon these
qualifications for success: a story of
marked power and timely interest
was chosen to AFFORD the star and her
splendid supporting company. led by
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
SAVOY.

How an innocent girl is made the vic
tim OF circumstance and forced to be-
come an object Of suspicion in the
community in which she lives is told
in The Secret Of the Storm Country
a perturbation Of the novel by Grace
Miller White. which held the screen at
Crandall's Savoy yesterday. As the
girl. Tess Skinner. Norma TalmadEe
renders an appealing and thoroughly
artistic characterization.
Molly Entangied." featuring Vivian
Martin. is being shown today. with a
special matinee.
The program for the remainder OF the
week includes these pictures: Tomor-
row. Sir Gilbert Parker's The Judg-
ment House." featuring Wilfred Lucas
and Violet Heming; Thursday. Earle
Williams in The Grell Mystery" Fri
day, Bushmand and Bayne in The
Voice OF Conscience :" Saturday, Madge
Evans in The Volunteer"
The Washington times., 1918-01-01
AMERICAN.

How the pranks o. a class Of college
students in Initiating" a freshman re
suit in the unraveling Of mystery and
in the capture of a gang OF clever
thieves. is told in unusually vivid fash
ion In the photopIay. The Ghost House. -
which was last nights screen subject
at Crandalrs American. The Ghost
House" Is an abandoned house long re-
puted to be haunted" and there. as a
part Of the elaborate ceremonies OF ini-
tiation, is the young freshman forced to
spend the night. He soon finds that its
ghosts" are a trio OF criminals who
have made the house their refuge. His
discovery results in their capture and
incidentally wins for him the admira-
ton of his sweetheart
Today's attraction is The Tender
foot" featuring William Duncan, while
the program for the rest OF the week
Is as follows: Tomorrow, Julian Ell
tinge in THE Countess Charming :"
Thursday, Kitty Gordon in Her Hour 5"
Friday. Emmy Wehlen in The Out
sider;'' Saturday. Billie Burke in"Arms
and the Girl