davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1922-02-19

The Garrick temporarily remains
as the only playhouse available for
the road attractions of the Shuberts
and allied interests with the Dilling-
ham, Erlanger and Ziegfeld booking
combination left without an amuse.
ment home to shelter their attrac-
tons. see ...-.. .....
May Hasten New Buildings.
The optimistic CLEAN In this drab
situation was the fact that the arbi.
trary closing may hasten the build
ing of new houses of amusement In
Washington. Those in authority
made no secret Of the fact that the
changes to be ordered will in some
cases involve large sums Of money
and the theater owners may decide
that the erection of new structures
is more desirable from a financial
viewpoint.
Polls Is one theater about which
there was much speculation\ last
night. The site and building are
owned by the Government. 1t has
long been accepted that the Fed
eral authorities eventually will erect
a new Government building upon
the property. For that reason both
the Oxford hotel and the theater
have limited leases. Polls Is leased
by Sylvester u. Poll, Of Connecticut,
who in turn shares his rights with
Messrs. Lee. and ]. J. Shubert as
booking managers. II the changes
involved amount to any great
amount of money, those who profess
knowledge of the lease. said last
night il would be inexpedient to
make them in view of the limitt>
tenancy. II may be that The cur
tain has rung down at Polls for
the last time.
Julian Brylaski. owner and man.
ager of the Cosmos Theater, has al
ready acquired property at the
northeast corner Of Thirteenth and
K streets northwest, for the cree
ton of a new house. Actual con-
struction has been delayed because
Of long term lease held by a res.
taurant proprietor. While nQncom-
initial last night upon this subject.
the interests connected with the
project minated that the action Of
the Commissioners might hasten
new construction.
Columbia To Re Razed.
The Columbia. leased and oper-
ated by Marcus Loew, Inc. was
The Washington times., 1922-02-19

to close. Why. only two weeks
ago / was given my license The
theater was thoroughly inspected
and everything must have been all
right or no license would have
been issued.
IF We thought for a minute there
was anything wrong a closing order
wouldn't be necessary. know
Mr.. Loew himself would without
hesitation close the theater until 1t
was safe. haven't the slightest
idea what Is wrong with the Co
lumbia, and until ! hear from the
Commissioners I don't know what
to do"
Crandall Makes Statement.
Harry Crandall, speaking for the
Metropolitan Theater, said:
THE Metropolitan WAS built at q
cost of 100000. There naturally
was no way Of me telling whether
the theater was safe except by the
three inspections made by the Dis
trict, including Inspections by the
fire, electrical and building depart.
ments.
Had I the slightest doubt as to
the safety Of the Metropolitan l
would have closed 1t.
For five days the Metropolitan
was closed out of respect to those
killed and Injured when the Knicker-
booker Theater roof collapsed. II
there was any faulty construction
There was a chance to right 1t.
Ten days ago two engineers,
Thomas Marshall and Colonel Strick.
Ter, began an examination Of the
theater. They went over minute de.
tails, examining the plans and com.
putting all steel trusses. At O'Clock
tonight they told me that with
several hours work the report would
be completed. They assured me that
the theater is absolutely safe"
National Refuses Statement.
w. II. Rapley, owner Of the Ma.
tional Theater. refused to talk.
r. G.. Craerin. manager of
Polls Theater, said he did not
believe Polls was in any danger
of collapsing. He said the man
agement had always endeavored
to live up to the rules and regu.
lations of the building inspectors
and the fire marshals offices,
making any changes asked.
I'VE have no statement to make
at this time" he said. I'VE will
wait until Monday before deciding
what action will be taken"
The Washington times., 1922-02-19
Closing Necessary
To Protect Public,
Declares Keller

We feel that we have discharged
a serious public duty when we or.
dered these theaters closed, and IL
challenged, we are prepared to tell
any tribunal In the District Of CO.
lumbia that II was necessary for the
protection and safety of the lives of
men, women and children"
This was the declaration last night
of Engineer Commissioner Charles
Keller, at the annual dinner of the
Washington Traffic Club, at the
Raleigh Hotel, which was attended
also by Commissioners Rudolph and
oyster.
Commissioner Keller said The the.
aters were ordered closed following
the report of special committee
composed of Washington's leading
architects, engineers and builders.
who began inspecting the theaters
after the knickerbocker disaster
and upon whose recommendations
the theaters were ordered closed.
The report. he said. was received at
3 o'clock this afternoon.
Criticizes KnickerbOcker Erection.
I'VE realized that we had to make
a great decision. and understood we
had to accept the responsibility for
grave loss and damage to private in
terests, but in behalf of the public
welfare, could see no other way to
do what we did," Commissioner Kel.
Ter said. I'VE did not ignore the
property rights of the owners con-
cerned. / know that we are going to
be- attacked and even challenged, but
we are prepared to answer before any
tribunal in the Districa of Columbia"
Speaking of the Knickerbocker
Theater, Commissioner Keller de-
clared that from his inspection Of
the building, after the collapse, 1t
was his opinion that 1t should never
have been permitted to be erected.
The architecture, he said, was viii
famous, and the engineering, GRIM
inal.
The marvel is that IL stood at all, "
he said. "and IL it had not fallen on
that night, it would have fallen on
some other night.
Tribute to Police Chief.
Although addresses also were made
by Commissioners Rudolph and Oys-
ter. neither spoke of the Commission.
ers' decision to close the theaters.
Commissioner Oyster paid tribute
to Maj. Daniel Sullivan, the new
Chief of Police. saying that every
man on the Police force was highly
pleased with the selection, and that
the Commissioners felt sure that
Sullivan would make a splendid Chief
of Police.
Good music, splendid food and bet
ter speeches featured this years
annual dinner of the Washington
Traffic Club.
Led by Odell s. Smith, secretary
treasurer Of the Norfolk and Wash.
ington Steamboat Company, mem.
bers of the club enjoyed a huge song
fest. which was added to by selec.
tons by the Musurgia Quartet, com.
posed of Mrs. Fannie Shreve Heart.
sill. Mrs. William T. Reed, James K.
Young and Fred Schaefer, with Har.
vey Wheaton Howard at the piano,
In addition to the Commissioners
addresses were made by the Rev.
James +. Freeman, rector, Church
of the Epiphany; Edward +. Coli
day. Odell S. Smith, @. w. Smith
and Frank Hogan.
The Washington times., 1922-02-19
THEATERS PROTEST
CLOSING METHODS
Owners Are Stirred by Failure
of Commissioners to
Give Notice.

Vigorous protest against the
manner in which the District
Commissioners closed Washington's
moving picture theateis was
voiced last night by Alexander
Wolf, counsel OF the Motion Pic
ture Theater Association of the
District. Wolf declared no court
action is planned.
There was no occasion for the
issuance of orders closing moving
picture theaters," declared Wolf
IF there were any changes in these
theaters necessary, the owners Of
the theaters would have closed vol
unfairly and proceeded to make
the changes.
THE sole desire of members Of
this association is to protect the
public. We object to any sus-
pension order when the same
purpose could have been accom-
plished in another way.
THE attitude OF our association,
as expressed today. before the issu-
ance OF the order and now, Is that
we are willing and want to cooperate
with the District Commissioners.
The theater owners believed and still
do believe that their theaters are
safe. II the Engineer Commissioner
and the committee of experts had
told us they thought changes neces'
sary we would have closed our thea
tiers and promptly made them.
Gives No Notice.
I'VE were given no notice, no init.
nation.
"I was at the District building yes.
terday. A District official told me
that the Commissioners were in con-
ference on a public utility matter.
1.-THE notice was served between
and 7 o'clock. But for the common
sense and good Judgment Of the man.
ayers Of the theaters the closing
would have meant a panic.
"Our complaint is the method EN-
ployed by the Commissioners. We
were given no opportunity to close
voluntarily, and l want 1t known that
II the Commissioners had told the
owners of any Of the theaters that
immediate changes were necessary
there would be no. hesitancy about
closing. 1t wouldn't be necessary
to issue an order.
at hardly seems fair that with
out any prior notice seven houses
are summarily closed. II they
were safe yesterday, they are
equally safe today.
No Occasion For Alarm.
There is no occasion for public
alarm. All owners will make every
effort to put their houses in a safe
condition. Every requirement will
be met and when the theaters are
reopened the public may be as
surcd they may enter them with
perfect safety.
We don't even know what's
wrong with the theatcrs. We
don't know whether slight repairs
are wanted or anything about Il.
The alleged defects may be
remedied in short time"
Lawrence Beatus, manager OF
the Columbia Theater, and repre-,
senting Marcus Loew In Washing
ton, made this statement
II was astounded at the notice
The Washington times., 1922-02-19
Plan Senate Fight Also.

The fight for the sales levy will
be renewed when the bill reaches the
Senate, in case the sales tax Is re-
iected by the House. Senator Smoot
of Utah. who led a fight last summer
for adoption of the sales tax as a
substitute for the present revenue
system, will offer the tax plan as a
substitute for whatever financing
provisions the House may adopt to
the bonus bill.
The Washington times., 1922-02-19
u. S. Will Lose
$4,000 Weekly
In Theater Ban

The closing of the seven
theaters here will not only
mean a loss in amusement to
Washingtonians, but also a
loss in revenue of almost $10,-
600 a week to the Federal
Government in taxes.
1t was explained by officials
of the Internal Revenue Bur
reau that the amount Of tax
varies with the attractions.
When the attraction is a good
one, it is literally patronized
and the tax is therefore more.
The tax, it is figured, would
be between $4,000 and $4,000
a week for the seven theaters
closed. with $4,000 the lowest
possible amount that would be
turned into the Treasury if all
attractions were of a mediocre
type.
The Washington times., 1922-02-19
Theater Fire
Report Draws
Street Crowds

HDOLI'S is on fire!" was
i the word flashed along
Pennsyl> ania avenue last
night as disappointed tReatcr-
goers strolled along the side
walks to while away the time.
Everyone was a boy again
when several pieces Of noisy
fire apparatus rushed up the
Avenue and stopped almost
directly in front of the the
atcr, which shortly before had
been darkened by order Of the
District Commissioners. The
crowd followed the fire en-
gines.
1t developed that a pedes-
trian, seeing a cloud of smoke
rising from the old G. A. r.
building, adjacent to the
theater, had turned in an
alarm. The smoke came from
a furnace in the cellar.
The Washington times., 1922-02-19
CROWDS JEST WHEN
FIND HOUSES DARK
Audiences Take Closing Order
Good Naturally and Com
mend D. c. Officials.

Hundreds Of Neutrality-suspicious.
found themselves all dressed up with
no place to go last night when they
arrived at the several theaters closed
early in the evening by order OF the
District Commissioners.
Unaware of the summary closing
order, the theater crowds had all
sorts Of conjectures when they found
the Hobbies and sidewalks thronged
with groups to whom admission had
been denied.
The general belief, both in the case
Of Polls and the National, was that
either President Harding or former
President Wilson were expected and
that the crowds were waiting TO give
them a hand.
washington society folk. who
stepped from their limousines to see
either William Gillette in "The
Dream Maker" at The National. or
William Faversham in THE Squaw
Man" at Polls. got a jolt when they
learned that their evenings program
had gone awry.
AT any rate we can return home
and have another dinner" one bud
told her escort when they left The
National.
others felt that "a little stroll In
the night Dir may not be SO bad after
ALL"
Theaters Refund Money.
For a time It looked like a gloomy
evening for more than one young
swain whose weeks savings had
been invested in tickets, flowers and
a box of candy for himself and his
girl. In both the legitimate houses
box offices refunded for tickets and
announced that they would refund
| for outstanding tickets on Monday.
The theater crowds, in the main.
accepted the closing good humoredly
and exchanged jests on where do
we go from here?'
The downtown streets became
| thronged with would-be theater
! patrons and until a late hour pre-
scented the appearance Of a holiday
occasion.
Only the presence Of policemen at
the theater entrances prevented the
crowds from entering the theaters TO
see what IL was all about. No one
rushed away from fear Of a collapse.
Photographers who took flashlight
pictures of the groups Of loiterera
caused some little excitement by the
use Of flashlight guns.
The Washington times., 1922-02-19

We respectfully petition Congress to pass the SOL
diers bonus without further delay and also to levy
sales tax to obtain the money to pay the bonus tor
the following reasons:
The Washington times., 1922-02-19
ADVERTISEMENT.
Will RADIUM At LAST
OPEN THE DOOR OF
THFGRFAT UNKNOWN?

II you are sick and want 10 Get Wen and
Keep Well write for literature that tells How
and Why this almost unknown and wonderful
new element brings relief u many sufferers
from Constipation. Rheumatism. Sciatica, Govt,
Esurits. Neuralgia. Nervous i'rOstration, High
Blood Pressure and diseases Of the Stomach.
Heart. Lunss. Liver, Kidneys and other ailments.
You wear Degnen's Radioactive Solar Pad day
and night. receiving the Radio Active Rays con-
tinuousIy into your system. causing a healthy
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" satisfied II is helping you before the appli-
snce is yours. Nothing to do hut wear II. M
trouble or expense. and the most wonderful fact
about the appliance is that It Is sold 80 reason
able that II is within the reach Of ALL both
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No matter how bad your silment. OF how long
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at our risk. For full information write today
not tomorrow RAdium Appliance Co, 1854
Bradbury Bldg. Los Angeles. Calf.
The Washington times., 1922-02-19

eventually scheduled to be Iazed to
make way for a new theater upon
the same site. 1t Is rated as one of,
the best money makers In the Loew
circuit, ideally situated to attract
the patronage of film fans. Until
Marcus Loew Is heard from the man.
ager was reticent to prophecy
whether the present situation would
hasten the construction of a new
theater.
Crandall's Metropolitan Is a COM
paratively new theater and II Is
expected to reopen within a short
time after the desires of The Dis
trict Commissioners have been met.
There are at least two theater
building projects under way which
may be hurried to meet the new
conditions. Harry Wardman is
identified with a syndicate which
has been intending to build in the
vicinity of New York avenue and
Fourteenth street. This proposition
contemplates the erection Of an
office building and stores in connec.
ton with the theater and involves
the expenditure Of millions. 1t is
understood that an unfavorable
financial market Is the only obstacle
oioShihb oSNdoi "Ohh upoii pthi.
Another theatrical venture in the
air Is the construction of a new
theater between Thirteenth and
Fourteenth streets on New York
avenue. This house. designed Ia
play first-class attractions and a
season Of grand opera. will be
financed by Washington capital.
Many Changes Rumored.
In theatrical circles last night
there were rumors that the Shuberts
and the Erlanger interests might
make arrangements for joint book
ings in Washington. This gossip de
clared that the Belasco would tempo
rarily drop Shubert vaudeville tt
play road attractions OF the Shuberts
and that the Garrick might be used
jointly by both booking combina
tions. Another rumor, apparently
backed by the logic Of the situation
places the Capitol Theater, now @
burlesque house, In the ranks Of the
first-class theaters. 1t was whisper
ed that there may be a merry
scramble for this amusement place
as II has been recently remodeled
and is geographically situated SO al
to be adapted for this change In at
fractions. Il
The Washington times., 1922-02-19
Theatrical Circles
Speculate On Changes
Cl0sings May Bring

Those associated with the heater world of Washington
inclined last night to look upon the drastic order
of the District Commissioners disastrous end to a
gloomy season.
The closing of two of the three theaers playing legiti
mate road attractions leaves the National Capital with
out frstclass house capable of playing big productions
such the Ziegfeld Foes, Winter Garden shows, and
similar stage offerings of magnitude
The Washington times., 1922-02-19
TO CONGRESS FOR
ACTION ON SOLDIERS BONUS
WITH SALES TAX TOPAY IT

We respectfully petition Congress to pass the SOL
diers bonus act without further delay and also to levy
sales tax to obtain the money to pay the bonus, TOR
the following reasons:
FIRST-Public opinion throughout the United
States is undenably in favor of the soldiers bonus,
as shown by the decisive majority in every State IN
which q popular referendum has been taken-in
Maine by to l; New Jersey, 81 to |; New York,
nearly to +; Rhode Island, to 1; Wisconsin, 5 TO
l; Oregon, to l; Washington, 2Ha to l; and so on
SECOND-We believe that Congress- If permitted
to vote the solders bonus, will favor it with even
lar majority by which the people in twenty-five state:
have already approved it; we believe that the soldiers
bonus cannot and ought not to be defeated and that
the longer it is postponed the greater the injustice
IHIRD-We believe the new tax scheme proposed
by the Ways and Means Committee Is only a little
less Objectionable than Secretary Melons proposal for
threecent postage and for a three-cents-agalon
tax on gasoline. Proponents of such taxes oppose
any soldiers bonus whatever, and hope by linking II
with such new, destructive, and unpopular taxes to
kill the proposition altogether.
FOURTH-f the soldiers bonus is not only right
but inevitable, and If the United States is not to lag
behind England, France, Italy, Canada and Australia,
our payment is already long overdue not a debt
flor debt to the soldiers never be paid but
just tribute to the vaor and the sacrifice of the
men who the
FIFTH-The only question that remains is: By
what system of taxations shall the money be raised!
Not by bond issues because it is against the tradi-
tional policy of the United States to increase debt in
time of peace Not by any irritating, unreasonable,
destructive tax on individuals, business industry,
because already have too many such taxes. A
small general sales tax will raise more than enough to
pay the soldiers bonus it will bear heavily upon
one If the experience of Canada and our Philip
pine Islands, where the sales tax is in operation, is
peated the system will meet with such favor that it
will become of the approved methods of raising
paid
The Washington times., 1922-02-19

thereof, shall be given hearing by
the Commissioners, or such per-
son or persons as they shall ap-
point for that purpose, who shall
report, In writing, to the Com
missiOners the result of such hear
ing; and provided, further. that
the Commissioners may Temporal.
lily suspend the license and close
such place Of assembly prior to
such hearing when the eXigencies
OF the particular case justify such
action"
The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1922-08-25
Foreign Interests
Predominant Cuba

HAVANA Cuba, - ASSOCIATED
Press MaiD-Economic REIMBURSEMENT
of governmental services resulting
from the Inauguration July l of the
1922-1923 budget of approximately
$55, 1000, 900 and causing the dismissal
of thousands of federal employees,
struck a heavy blow at the only re-
naming stronghold left to Cuban citi-
Zens-the government service. Accord
ing to Jorge Roa, in the Diaro De La
Marina, the only thing Cuban in Cuba
is the state, and he claims statistical
backing for the following statements
railways and streetcar systems are
under Anglo-American control pub
lie lighting, American; city property
so percent owned or pledged to
foreign interests as security for loans
rural property Sc percent American;
sugar interests, 56 percent American
controlled and A percent other
foreign control; tabacco, 20 percent
Anglo-American; mining, hnglo-Am
erican; banking rs percent foreign.
shipping, foreign.
With S%paniards doing almost loo
percent of the retail business of the
island and foreign interests dominat
ing importing and wholesaling opera
lions, Cubans have been forced into
minor positions in every line except
law, medicine and Official, posts t
which Cuban citizens alone are eli
gible,
The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1922-08-25
HARD TIMES DANCE

The Kuiaha homesteaders had a de-
lightful reunion on Monday evening
in the form of a hard-times party at
the home of Miss lisa Lindsay A
jolly supper with games and music
reminded them of the time when the
were first opened and they
often got together for socials. A num-
Der of Honoluluans are spending the
summer on the h~omesteads, and al
though many of the original settlers
have given up their places, a good
crowd was present from among those
still living on their homesteads and
the visitors.
Master James Watson was the prize
winner for the best costume from
among those present.
The guests at the evenings fun
were: Misses lisa and Ernestine Lind
say, Mr.. James Lindsay, Mrs. e. c,
Moore, Ethel Moore, Wade and Ben
Moore, Mrs. William Henning, Miss
Maui Henning, Fred and Helen Hen
ming, Mrs. w. l. Wells, Miss Pauline
Wells, Mr.. and Mrs. w. E. Lowe, Mrs
C C.James, Edith Marjone and Cal
ton James, Mrs. Watson Alice anC
James Watson, Mr.. F. A. Miller, Miss
Mary Lindsay, Miss Ruth Whitehead
Misses Dorothea and Beatrice Krauss
and Noel KrauSS.
The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1922-08-25
~Clergymen Practice
Birth Control Now

LONDON, Aug. IL - ASSOCIATED
Press Mail)-Clergymen no longer
have large families, the members of
the Neo-Malthusian Birth Control So
ciety were told by Professor Mac
Bride at a recent conference. Thirty
years ago the clergy were reckoned
among the most prolific members of
the community, and rightly regarded
as breeders of talent; but today road
sweepers, dock laborers and people
of that class idulge in large families,
while clerical families consist of only
one or two children.
The Professor declared also that
every species of animal and plant, if
allowed to exercise unchecked its
natural powers of reproduction,
would in a few years completely over
run the earth and crush out other
forms of life.
The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1922-08-25
N DRESS r

Last Saturday, Dr.. f. S. Goodhue
entertained at a fancy dress birthday
party in honor of his daughter Miss
Dorothy Goodhue. Guests we're pres
ent from all parts of Molokai and sew
eral from other islands.
The hall was beautifully decorated
with ferns, bamboo and ie-ie so that
it resembled a mountain bower and
was lighted by small Japanese Ian
terms.
Some unique, very beautiful and
amusing costumes displayed and many
were the guesses as to who was
who" until masks were removed.
One of the novel features of the
evening was a radio concert broad cast
from Honolulu.
Music for dancing was furnished by
the Molokai Hawaiian Glee Club.
Delicious refreshments were fur
nished throughout the evening and
every one had a thoroughly enjoyable
evening.