The Washington times., 1925-06-08
F ANGUS HALL IS
TO CHANGE
HANDS
Deal involves $500, 900 Prop
erty Will Be Remodeled and
Made Giant Bowling Alley

Legal title to the property known
as Convention Hall, Fifth and L
streets northwest, is expected to
change hands either today or to-
morrow, according to John s. Blick,
president of the Convention Hall
Bowling Alleys Company, Incor.
porated, the new owner. The real
estate deal for the property VAS
completed several days ago and is
said to have involved close to
$3OO, 900. Title examiners are ex-
pected to complete their work TO-
day, when the deed will be turned
over to President Blick.
The new owners viii spend about
$50 900 in remodeling and re-
painting the us stall market on
the ground floor and the big nall
on the second floor. The hall,
in which many notable speaking
and athletic events have taken
place, will be converted into the
largest bowling palace in America.
There will be fifty fast alleys, a
score or more Of shower baths,
private dressing rooms for women
bowlers, meeting rooms for the
various bowling leagues OF the city
and offices for representatives OF
the company.
Market to Be Revived.
The 10000 square feet Of floor
space in the market will be entirely
re novated and repainted and the
company will inaugurate a policy
designed to restore Convention Hall
Market as the leading place Of its
kind In the National Capital.
Many celebrities are included in
the personnel OF the company which
has just acquired the mammoth hail.
Among them are Clark Griffith,
president and principal owner Of the
Washington American League base
ball club; Bucly Harris, manager of
the worlds champions; former SEN
ator Thomas B. Gore Of Oklahoma;
former Congressman William A..
Rodenberg Of Pennsylvania, and
H K. Burtner. president of the
National Capital Bowling Associa-
ton. About 500 local bowlers are
said to own stock in the neV COM
pany.
John s. BIick. identified With
bowling In Washington for the past
twenty y-five years and now serving
his second term as president Of the
District League of Bowlers, was
unanimously chosen as head of the
Convention Hall Bowling Alleys
Company. Incorporated. Buclxy
Harris, Fred Spicer, and John
Pappas were elected vice presidents
and directors, Frank HI. Ghesellf
Is treasurer. and a. D. Gardner
secretary. The directors are III. B.
Haley, chairman; Thomas B. Gore,
William Al. Rodenberg, Eugene
TNnV Eaofm IT r.
Burtner, Attorney C. Chester Cay.
wood, and the elected officers, who
are ex officio members Of the
board.
Owned By Hutcllins Estate.
Convention Hall was acquired from
the estate Of Stilson Hutchins after
several weeks OF negotiating. The
property was originally the North
ern Liberty Market, and was bought
at forced sale py StiIson Hutcnins
in 1898, when extensive improve.
ments were made, and the large as
sembly hall opened. The hall had
q capacity of 10000.
Notwithstanding this large ca
pacity, IL proved inadequate to 4ac-
commodate the crowds which
swarmed there to hear Gypsy Smith,
Bryan. when he delivered his famous
speech entitled The Prince of
Peace" Convention Hall has been
the scene OF many food shows. auto
mobile shows, carrivals, dances.
indoor track meets, wrestling
mass meetings, drills and
reviews Of the National Guard OF
the District Of Columbia, whlcn used
If an an arn0nrW