The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1922-02-19


They had previously notified mana
gers of Polls and the National,
both near detective Offices.
As the police car drew up in front
OF the theater, Julian sBrylawski.
manager, was standing in the en-
trance. He had just been told by
newspaper men of the action of the
Commissioners. As Inspector Grant
read the order. Mr.. Brylawski
stepped to the box Office window
and ordered II closed. Two small
boys were reaching into their pock-
cts to buy tickets as the window
of the box office went down. Dis
may spread over the boys faces
The entrance was quickly clogged
by arriving patrons. All were told
that the theater was closed, and to
the question "why?" officials re-
piled: For repairs"
Upon the plea of Mr.. Brylawski
that the crowd within the theater
be allowed to stay until the close
or the act lest a panic be melted
by the announcement, Inspector
Grant permitted the owners to keep
the building open until Z O'Clock.
The police official reached the thea
ter at h.3U.
No longer than ten minutes was
taken by Inspector Grant and De-
tective Scrivener in notifying each
theater manager. Leaving the Co.'S
mos, they went to the Metropolitan
at Gas where a crowd of 500 was
already in the show; the Columbia
at $50: then the Maryland. 6l6
Ninth street northwest. at o'clock.
and on to the Foraker, at 1922
Twentieth street northwest, a col
ored theater.
Doors Immediately Closed.
At all of the moving picture shows
the managers accompanied the po-
lice officials to the box window and
cicsed the doors Immediately after
hearing the order. In each instance
would-be patrons were lined up at
the box Office widow, and there
was a scurry to get the last ticket
and rush into the condemned
building.
Swarms OF movie fans unable to
see their cavorite star because Of
the order of the Commissioners
surged along the main thorough
fares of Washington in a typical
holiday spirit.
Policemen stationed at the doors
of the theaters affected by the or
der were compelled to answer
questions that were fired at them
from all directions with the rapidity
of a machine gun. Why are they
closed? Who closed them? , Are
there any open? Has anything
happened? Is there anyone in the
theater? These were just a few
of the many questions put by the
followers of the great indoor sport.
One gentleman having apparently
overcome the obstacles of the
Eighteenth amendment was sure
there was some mistake. He was
convinced finally. however, that
there was no mistake. Later he
returned much perturbed and in a
low voice asked IL the blue law
had gone into effect. He was con-
vinced that 1t had not and left in
a happy state of mind.
The "flappe-s" seemed more dis
appointed than the men, but of
were not paying me checks.
TIL bet it's on account Of the
terrible .hings that have been hap
penlnR 1T f1OllywOOos one tlOcTtg
woman guessed. l.
Receive Money Back.
An air OF mystery seemed to sur
round the National sTheater last
night at. opening time. With half
hours notice the box Office men
made ready to refund all money
and from 1880 to S:3o two streams
of wondering theatergoers filed up
to the windows to turn in their
tickets and receive back their
money.
William Gillette, who like Jennie
Lind. of long ago. had come to en-
tertain Washington in the National
Theater. looked with sigh at the
expense of empty seats. then having
lit a cigar, walked smilingiy back
to the company to consider how to
spend the evening. Gillette was be-
ing presented by Charles lFrohman
in a play called The Dream Maker"
Figures s2,soo LOSS.
The Natioal Theater has a seat
ing capacity of approximately 1.7o0.
1t was. estimated by w. H. Fowler,
business manager. that the closing
will mean loss at the box Office
of $500. The present play was
scheduled for a weeks run. Next
week the Irish Players were TO
continued on Page T,eo.