The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-02-19
THEATER CROWD
ASKS WHY AT
CLOSING ORDER
Com lis toners Make
Public Peevish by Per-
emptory Action.
confirmed from Paoe one.

corttSsed from Page One,
have appeared in "The white
Headed Boy"
The crowd In the lobby OF Poii's
received the news OF closing good
naturally, But, II took some little
time and quite a lot, Of talking by
the ushers and policemen to con-
vince the theater-soers that the
building was really closed. The
crowd stood around like u lot of
children who had arrived at their
favorite playground only to find IL
gone. The same people had to be
told over and over again that the
thcster was closed and that they
could stand in line at the box Of
ice and get their money back q
come back next week and get It..
Taxicab drivers swarmed about
the theater like excursiouists get
ting off a steamboat-all crowdine
TO one side and competing for pas
sengers. Cries of taxi. taxi" rent
the atmosphere and many a couple
who had just gotten out of a taxi.
shouted to the driver to come back
or looked around for the cab they,
came in OF else hailed another one
''It's a bum wind wot don't 'bl NV
nobody no good" remarked one
driver
While the crowd insisted on
standing around. the policemen
were pestered with foolish ques-
tionS.
Asks source Of Order.
One short policeman held a con-
fab with an old lady which ran like
this:
Mr.. Policeman. who gave the
Commissioners orders to close this
place? What's the matter with
this place? was here last week
and IL was all right"
Lady. don't know the why or
wherefore. of any of these orders.
You can come back Monday and get
your money"
"Why should ] come here Monday
and get my money. I haven't even
bought my ticket yet. want to
know right away what I shall do
about the tickets l was going to
get"
well. said the cop. as he drew a
deep sigh. DO like / did when
thought I was going to have to-
night off. Forget It,"
At $3.50 most OF the crowd had
gone away, but a few stragglers.
who believe it stylish to be late
for a show. came up. They were
stopped at the door. They seemed
to be more offended by the closing
order than those who believe in be-
ing prompt. They scowled at the
policemen and at the firemen. They
tried to argue. They protested as
long as any one would listen. and
then it slowly dawned on them thet
the theater was really closed.
Spectators Not All Told.
In no instance was any commo-
ton caused within the theater
buildings ordered closed. In only
a few instances DID word OF the
action of the Commissioners reach
the spectators. This was given the
patrons by those who bought
tickets just as the police ordered
the box ONCE closed.
Inspector Grant went direct TO
the ONCE of F. Broche. manager
at the Metropolitan Theater, whicn
was reached forty minutes after
the order of the Commissioners
mediately ordered the box ONCE
SiobSu nc piSduCb thot A"t
show be allowed to run until 1880.
at which time Miss Hope Hampton.
movie star, was scheduled to award
prizes in a local contest. Inspector
Grant granted permission with the
understanding that the building be
closed Immediately after the
awards had been announced. Leav-
ing the managers ONCE. Inspector
Grant went upstairs to the ONCE
Of Harry NJ. Crandall, owner OF the
building and owner Of the ruined
Knickerbocker Theater. As he
read the order to Mr.. Crandall the
latter remarked:
''This is indeed peculiar. just
received a report from my engineer
who has completed an inspection
OF the building. who declares the
place Is 100 per cent safe"
Alexander Wolf. counsel for the
Motion Picture Theater Owners As
ISOLATION, was present and asked to
see the order. He later issued
statement.
As the police marty left the build