The Washington times., 1922-02-19
IN TEEATERS CT OSED BY ORDER OF DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS

port OF the experts mentions defects
In several houses not mentioned In
last nights order. They will be CIV
en- further inspection tomorrow.
Up until a short time before the
issuance of the closing order, the
Commissioners believed they would
be able to have certain defects in the
seven theaters remedied without The
necessity Of drastic action.
Study Of the report Of the experts
making the inspection, however,
convinced them that extreme acton
should be taken.
Grant Is Notified
The Board of Commissioners sent
for Inspector Clifford l.. Grant as
soon as they reached their decision,
and told him to get word to Major
Daniel Sullivan, chief of police. of
the decision.
Major Sullivan ordered Inspector
Grant to go Immediately to each
theater and close 1t. Accompanied
by a few headquarters detectives,
he went on the mission. A police
man was detailed to each theater
to see that no one entered.
Drastic Order
The order was one of the most
drastic ever issued by a Board of
District Commissioners. According
to Engineer Commissioner Keller,
the possibilities that theater owners
might Immediately get out injunc-
tons did not enter into the dis
cussion.
''They may get injunctions to-
night" Keller said, However. the
Commissioners have been told these
theaters are unsafe for the public
to enter and we are acting accord
ingly,"
Hard to Remodel.
In the case of several theaters,
like the National and Polls, among
the oldest houses in Washington.
Commissioner Keller said it would
be a long time" before repairs
could be made which would permit
their opening.
Conference Called.
The Board of District Commission
ers went into conference at 3 o clock
yesterday afternoon. The commit
tee of experts-Assistant Commits
sioner Brown and Fire Chief Watson
, took part. At o'clock Inspector
Grant, chief Of detectives, was sum-
moned. He was given the order with
instructions to carry 1t lat the
quickest possible moment"
Commissioner Keller announced
that Chief Watson concurred in the
action of the Commissioners and in
timated that Watson favored a more
drastic cut.
Great Expense Involved.
Commissioner Keller said that at
q great expense the theaters could
be put into such shape as to permit
opening.
The Commissioners indicated that
the drastic action Of last night might
not be the final action Of the Com
missioners.
"Our committee of experts have
made reports on other theaters," de-
clared Keller. These theaters will
be investigated beginning Monday
morning by our building inspectors"
There is a possibility that more
theaters may be closed.
Some Disagreement.
The committee of experts, it was
Inornad Ia OF MIGHT NnnrnTrad
in the recommendation that five
theaters be closed. In the cases Of
two theaters there was a disagree
ment. However, the Commissioners
decided It would be best TO close all
Of the seven houses.
Commissioner Keller discussed the
defects Of a few of the theaters.
Keller declared the roof Of the
Metropolitan was regarded as I'M
safe. He was asked IL II would he
necessary to put up new roof.
II am going to inspect the
Metropolitan on Sunday morning
and 1t will be determined then IL
new roof Is needed" answered
the Commissioner.
At Polls Theater, Keller de-
ClareO, the gallery ana balcony
were reported "a bit shaky" He
said that there appeared to be
great danger from fire.
Owners Not Consulted.
The closing of the theaters,
Keller said, was made without
consultation Of the theater owners
or managers.
The Commissioners order to
Police Chief Sullivan follows:
To Major Daniel Sullivan, major
and superintendent Of police:
You are hereby directed to
notify the owners, managers, or
lessees Of the following theaters
that their licenses to operate
said theaters are hereby sus-
pended until further notice in
the interests Of public safety, and
you are instructed to prevent
any performance i'm said theaters
during the period of suspension.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS,
District OF Columbia.
BY Secretary,