The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1920-05-19
Police Stop Show at Crystal
Theoter When Balcony Ceiling
FalsIwuring Score of Persons

The Crystal theatcr when was the
scene OF much confusion and the
injury Of several persons last night
when plaster fell from the balcony
ceiling onto persons underneath was
Inspected today BY Earl tlowdich,
city building Inspector who announc-
ed that he considered the balcony
safe FOR future use and that he would
allow the theater to Eeopen when the
remaining portion Uf the plasterlng
was removed.
However. "a. r. sherman. secretary
manager Of the Barnett Amusement
company said that he did not know
whether the house would be opened
FOR any more dates this season az
alterations ana repairs on the build
ing had been contemplated. Tie said
It would depend upon what advices
he received from joe Barnett. who
Is Ia California.
IL had been planned to make ex-
tensive alterations In the house for
next season, including changes In the
stage ana dressing rooms. Recon-
mendations for changes In the ball
cony have been made and Il Is prob
able that these will be approved and
all the work done az once.
Play Neat Monday
The musical play-"The Carabian
Nights which was to have been
given In the house by the University
Dramatic club and Tor which the
curtain was just about to rise at the
time OF the accident, Will be given
next Monday night b. the gin school
auditorium. IL is prObhble that a
second performance Will be given on
Narh NNulAAEa ..F NJ
checks for last nights play can ca
change them at Matson's Tor seats
for next Monday night.
About score of persons were
more or less injured last night. OF
which the most serious are Miss Betty
Aorrissette and Mrs. John Becker OF
belen. They were both reported inn
proved today and their injuries are
said not 10 be serious.
Miss Morrissctte scalp was torn
and 20 stitches had to be taken in IL
at the Nlomans and Childrens hos
, rital to which she was removed. Mrs.
Beckcrs ear was torn and three
stitches had TO be taken In Il and ane
also received NUMBER Of cuts and
bruises She ~ az the 81. Joseph =
hospital.
Harry Peltz who was at first
thought 10 have sustained "A broken
ioat WIS hhle To ne AZ MS oiiltt
Today. His nose was not broken but
he was considerably cut and bruised.
l. y. Sprccher had 40 have several
stitches taken IN his scalp which was
,ut about -four inches.
The others injured were less serious
and their wounds consisted Of minor
Gus. scratches and bruises.
No Panic
The curtain was Jusl about ready to
gu up on the play when those in seats
under the balcony detected tho plas-
tcring sigginE and before many OF
them could get out from under 10.
the plastsring had crashed down on
them. People rushed forward or
backward. but did not become panic
stricken and stopped Hs soon as they
were out OF the way OF danger.
The plaster that fell was prncl-
/ pally ON the left side OF the house.
[ u was ON metal lath which fell with
/ the plustoring. This increased the
| weight and danger
After the crash there was n dense
/ fog which arose from the cement and
{ Il was some little time before the
! house codld be cleared.
Then h was HnnOunced that tho
/ play would proceed despite the fact
Z that the rear Of the lower part Of the
/ house was almost cleared and seats
f. covered with plaHtering and metal
NTH. Many persons who had been In
! that section Of the house who were
/ not cut and bruised were covered
7 with dust.
Police Stop Play
Police arrived on the scene and
persons IN the audience warned capt
I O'Grady II the danger OF more plns.
tcring falling and after several con
ferences, capt O'Grady advised tho
management 10 call OF the pcrfOr'
nance. The chorus was on the stag,
aud some Of the audience was follow
ing the show. hut when the an
nouncemcnt of pOstponment wal
made many persons In the audionc,
honyed u sigh of relief.
\ number OF articles that were los