davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-19

Except on rare occasions the top gallery has
however, an overwhelming patronage swoop-
ing from all directions for one attraction, it
reopened to accommodate the overflow.
This writer, then purging the drama of its
sins by daily comment, facetiously said that q
skeleton, clutching 1912 program, was dis
covered in the front row. An i'll attempt at
humor re-echoed the following day by phone
call from a parent informing me his son had
disappeared in 1912 and was there q
chance?
When Pennsylvania avenue was q mud-bog,
lighted by sparsely spaced gas jets, when hack
fares were $40 to and from the theater, and
when the pit was the gallery, instead of what
it is now, Washington knew its theaters. That
was in 1900 and since that time the theater
has endured here in some form or another,
with few breaches. Auditoriums, tents and
lodge halls have been requisitioned when fire
or other untoward events closed the regular
stands; but, even under leaky roofs or in un-
heated emergency halls, the curtains rose and
descended as they were intended to do.
ONE exception must be noted. The National
Theater, rebuilt three times, and now the
unyielding sentinel Of the spoken drama in
Washington, was first opened in 1884. In 1845
the inaugural reception to President Polk was
held in this theater. The following night fire
completely destroyed the edifice, fortunately
at the time unoccupied. Thus from that date
until November 1916, when the National was
rebuilt washington was without theater Of
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-19

The President Theater, on the site of
Kernan's old Lyceun, on Pennsylvania
avenue near Eleventh street, is in the
path of the Federal triangle building
program and, like Polls, is slated for
she urecking crer.
attractions to keep both the Belasco and Polls
open, and the latter, being more modern and
considerably larger, survives, though this house,
too, is docketed for destruction before 1880
ends.
Aside from its atmosphere Of TheSpic men,
eries and the distinction of its patronage, COM
plexioned by Presidents, princes and the like.
the Belasco is quite unlike any other theater
IN the city. Its inception was unique its con-
6truction is unique and it stands ground
fortified by memories both hallowed and other
wise.
IN 1894 Uriah Painter, who was the Shearer
= OF his day-or the Grundy, If you hke-con-
eeived the idea of an opera house that would
higher the then existing standards. Ironically
enough, Mr.. Painter lived to see his Lafayette
Square Opera House housing burlesque.
Mr.. Painter was a civil engineer, but made
his money lobbying. He was hardly the Brum
meesque figure Of his present-day prototypes.
He never wore an overcoat and further
Haunted the harsh Winters of the ninetieS by
foregoing collar or cravat
The theater was built on the site Of the old
Blaine mansion, and some Of the doors in the
dressing rooms today, along with other ap-
purtencnces. are from the Blaine manse. The
Blaine structure supplanted IAN elegant house."
built In 1881 by John Rodgers. 1t was in this
house April IA, 1865. that the Lincoln con-
spirators attempted to assassinate w. H.
Seward, then Secretary of State. James @.
Blaine died there. Collectors Of Lincolniana
might rescue these historic woodworkings II
and when the theater is leveled.
The opera house opened in 1895 with a dedi-
eatory performance by Lillian Russell in 'The
Tzigane" ("The Gypsy'). John w. Albaugh,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-19
BY HAROLD PHILLIPS.

"T HE everdimming glow suffused by the
Belasco Theater the last several
years was snuffed into blackness
recently = permanently, many be-
lieve
Thus an edifice historic in every aSSocia-
tion that enriches che past joins that shadowy
caravan distinguished by the Garricks. the
Kernans, the Bilious, the Empires and the
dozens of others that have shimmered, flick
cred and disappeared from the theatrical piano.
rama that has been Washingtons since 1900.
There may be sporadic, independent exhibit
tions at the Belasco before it is RACED. 1t is
doubtful whether it will ever again experience
a continuity of existence. The Shuberts, oper-
ating it under 99-year lease, cannot in these
days of the predatory talkie, command enough
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-19
Belasco Rings Doaon Final Curtain and Polls
Nil Be Next to Join the Shado7vy Cara
lyan of Historic Phayhouses I hat Haze
DISAPPEARED From the City,s Theatrical
Panorama Since 1900

long identified with washington's early the
alter history, the house manager Later
Mr.. Painter himself essayed the management,
and for 10 years it experienced the amiable
and bitter vicissitudes that beset the intruder
in any field. The gifted Painter could manage
recalcitrant legislators, but his ineptness at
managing a theater reflected by ever
increasing decline in tone.
Under the aegis of David Belasco the house
was taken over refurbished, the name changed
to the Belasco Theater Cater it was to be-
come the Shubert-Belasco), and on october %,
1905. reopened for an uninterrupted span Of
nearly quarter century. Blanche Bates, in
1.-THE Girl of the Golden West" supplied the
opening bill-an opening gun, it really was
for Mr.. Belasco was then warning on the Klaw-
Erlanger combine, which he termed 1.-The the
atrical trust"
Those of us who have been educated by
Belasco himself to believe that his stage ap-
pearances are uncfnngeably confined to a
lingering of his forelock and shy, shy bow
would have been amazed at his militancy had
we been present that night.
THEN, as now, attired in what Haywood
Broun once called Ibis Catholic collar
and Presbyterian vest" Mr. Belasco delivered
himself of the following, after the second act:
'T hope the good people of Washington
will be good to this little theater. We
need your support. We are handful of
men ngntng q great CruSC. we want 70
give back to our country decent clean
stage. The stage is a place for the
growth of art, not for sweatShop meth
DDS in commercialsn. The stage can
not prosper under a syndicate. Help us,
then. Help us get back the stage that
Lester Wallack and Augustin DAILY left
us. Help us win. ladies and gentlemen
help us win, that other managers may
assert their manhood and the artists of
our stage their courage, their indepen-
dence. You have given so much in the
past and from tonight I shall ever be
your loyal and faithful servant"
Mr.. Belasco still holds a material interest
in this theater, but declines any voice in its
affairs.
The Belasco is an exemplar of theater con-
struction in the nineties It has three bal
comics and heaven will never frown on the
poor wights who sat in the top one in days
agone. True, those were the days of shotgun
drama and If one missed the nuances Of the
drawing room, there was compensation in the
Boom, booms !" heard adequately in the top
most tier, IT, indeed, not In the adjoining
square.
There are but two other theaters of like
construction in the country, one at Portland,
Me-, and the other at Memphis, Tenn. All
were designed by the same architect, an OPP
timist, surely. else why that top gallery when
two would suffice?
Evening star., 1930-06-15

Richmond, Va: National Executive
Committeeman Paul J. McGahan, this
city, and Sam w. Reynolds, Omaha.
Nebr.
This viii be the second visit of the
Fidac to the United States, its third an
nual congress having been held In New
Orleans at the same time the Ameri-
can Legion held its convention In 1922
Fidac is composed Of 80 ex-service or
ganizations of allied countries. the
American Legion being the member So
ciety In the United States.
At the same time that the congress
is in session In this city the members
OF the F1dac Auxiliary will hold their
sixth annual convention In the Ma
tional Capital.
Maj. Peyser announces that whenever
1t is possible to do so in any of the
cities that the delegates visit, every op-
portunity will be given them to be en-
tertained in private homes Every dele
gate will be interested in seeing some
thing Of American home life, and on
occasions Of this kind, as a general rule.
very little opportunity is afforded &c
see home life of the country being
visited. According to Mai Peyser the
itinerary includes New York, Philadel-
phia, Columbus, Detroit, Buffalo
Niagara Falls, Culver Ind. Albany,
Newburgh, N. Y; West Point, Annapolis
and visit to national headquarters OF
the American Legion at Indianapolis.
Evening star., 1930-06-15
LEGION DELEGATES
TO "F|DAC' NAMED
Eleventh Annual Congress to
Be Held in Capital
in September.

Delegates representing the American
Legion to the eleventh annual congress
of the Federation Interalliee des Anciens
Combattants otherwise known as Fidac,
to be held in this city September "a, %
and "a, have been announced by Ma
tional Adjt. James F. Barton of the
American Legion at Indianapolis.
Those selected by the national execu-
tive committee of the American Legion
include the following: Julius l. Peyser,
American vice president of Fidac, this
city, chairman ex-offlcio; Past National
Comdr. Paul v. McNutt, Bloomington
Ind; Edward L. White, national vice
commander, New Haven, Conn, chair
man of the Fidac committee on ar
rangements Lemuel Bolles, New York
past national adjutant and past Aneri-
can vice president Of Fidac; Gen. L. r.
Gignilliat, Culver, Ind, past American
vice president Of Fidac; Ben s. Fisher
past department commander Of Oregon
now Of this city; Representative Lamar
Jeffers, Admission, Ala; Tom A. Lee
Topeka, Kans.; John j. Wicker, jr
Evening star., 1930-06-15

Made
i::: ~ = f. ::::: '159
Evening star., 1930-06-15
BRITAIN MAKES PUBLIC
VIEWS ON CHINESE ISSUE
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
LONDON. June l4.--The government
last night made public correspondence
on the subject Of extraterritoriality In
China. revealing that the British are
awaiting definite proposals from the
Chinese before entering into nerotia-
tions which would compel British ma
tionals to be tried In Chinese courts
A letter from 9. T. Wang, Chinese
foreign minister, reaf1rmed the Chinese
view that extraterritorality should be
abolished, and declared the Chinese
already were showing a markedly dif-
ferent attitude toward the nationals Of
those countries which had renounced
extraterritorality and those which had
not
Sir Miles Lampson, British Minister
Evening star., 1930-06-15
Pc. Colonial Maple Bed Room Suite

Nothing be charming than
Queen Sm 9 Ann Fb M % & ketShfd @ % consists 5 poster bed sn
chest Of drawers and ladder-back chair Less .. i IL
Evening star., 1930-06-15
DRY LEAGUE PROBE
I CALLED UNETH|CAL
Mcbride Scores Vets for
Lobby Investigation
Statements.
~ the Associated Press.

GROVE CITY. Pa. June l4.-F Scott
Mcbride yesterday reviewed the Senate
lobby committees investigation of the
Anti-saloon League in an address here
and said all charges made against the
organization by the vets had been dis
proved.
''Figuratively speaking. the vets have
turned the Anti-Saloon League inside
out, but have found the league methods
proper. economical, consistent, effective
and in every way defenSible," Mcbride,
who is general superintendent Of the
league, said "It was shown that the
common, everyday charges Of the vets
against the league are wet propaganda
put forth to undo, if possible, the or
ganization standing in the way of their
liquor program"
The Association Against the Prohibi-
ton Amendment. Representative Tink-
ham, Republican, Massachusetts, and
other vets, he said. helped Senator
Blaine. Republican, Wisconsin, a mem
Der Of the committee, gathering any in
formation they thought could be used to
Evening star., 1930-06-15
DEPOSIT OF HANDBILLS
IN HOMES PROTESTED
Commissioners Receive Numerous
Complaints From Owners, Alleg-
ing Promiscuous Advertising.

Numerous complaints have come to
the District Commissioners Of late from
householders who come home from
work to find their vestibules Uttered
with handbills and other advertising
matter describing the merits of various
products.
The complaints go not only to the
litter, but also to the content of some
Of the advertising. One sample in the
Commissioners correspondence is a
card put out by a licensed physician
and a licensed dentist. This promises
a cure for practically everything under
the sun. The Commissioners turned
this over TO the Police Department for
Investigation. The department reported
that, although the practice Is unethical,
it is not Illegal and there is nothing
to be done about 1t under the present
police regulations.
The Commissioners are considering
the question Of adopting police regu-
lation to forbid the practice complained
Of and are anxious to discover the pub
lie reaction to the proposed regulation.
Evening star., 1930-06-15

discredit the league and its leadership"
The vets" he added, did the uneth-
ical thing Of accepting statements from
irresponsible parties and irresponsible
sources. They had the aid of Repre-
sentative Laguardia, Republican, New
York, and other wet leaders in this In
defensible attempt TO discredit the
league by irresponsible statements to
the press"
Evening star., 1930-06-15
Archduke Otto to Make Tour.

BUDAPEST, Hungary, June IA [P).-
Royalist circles announced today that
young Archduke Otto. who passed his
examinations at the University Of LOU
vain Cum Laude. Is about to leave on
a trip to France and Spain. Most
Hungarian Legitimatist circles regard
Otto as heir to the throne.
Evening star., 1930-06-15

In China, said In q letter that Great
Britain was willing to discuss the whole
question, but declared a definite state
ment OF the Chinese methods to abolish
extraterritorality was essential for sue
cess of the negotiations.
Under the principle Of extraterritor-
Evening star., 1930-06-15

This suite has the attractive serpentine nd is
holsd IN hgh-grade mohair a -
sofa, club high
artistic peatng all the pieces Il A/@
~SSS
Evening star., 1930-06-15

ality, foreign nationals In China fb1
years have held Q right to be declared
In their own courts. The Chinese rov,
ernment last year held that in the f,i,
ture all foreigners In China should bt
subject to the laws Of the central gov,
eminent and local authorities.
Evening star., 1930-06-15
Seattle Area Gains Population.

SEATTLE, Wash, June II R.-The
population Of King County, including
Seattle, was announced yesterday as
years.
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-08-07
BAILEY
Vol, DRESSES

Our big Factory Clearance Sale of Baxley Wolfe
Dresses is still on. School days will soon be
here and a Bailey voile dress for school days IN
September will be very appropriate.
Here is what you can save on Baxley Wolfe
dresses during this sale
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-08-07

Mr.. and Mrs. Charles Rutter and
little son of Kalispell spent the week
end in Libby. Mr. Rutter returned to
Kalispell Sunday but Mrs. Rutter is re-
manning here for visit with her par
ents, Mr.. and Mrs V. w. Weller.
Bert Collier returned Tuesday from
a trip to Wenatchee and other Wash
ington points. He reports large num-
Der of unemployed men at Wenatchee
called there by the contemplated build
ing Of large dam by the government
Mr.. and Mrs. Lem Carpenter, Mr.
and Mrs. Wallace Butts and Mrs. Fox
motored to Libby Tuesday and spent
few hours in the city on business
matters.
DR.. F. Fl. Keller and wife have re-
turned from a motor trip of over two
months to the eastern states and Can
ada. DR.. Keller attended the optometris
national convention in Boston and tkt
International Kiwanis at Atlantic City
On his return to Montana he partici-
pated in the state convention held il
Billings last week. Mrs. Keller stopped
in Minneapolis to visit friends for /;
short time.-Kalispell Times.
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-08-07
COLOR ADDS TO SCREEN
REALISM SAYS MARILYN

Color adds greatly TO the realism
of screen scenes according to Mari
lyn Miller, star Of Sally" the Vita
phone picture coming to the Kootenai
Theatre Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
Il am really glad that waited until
now to make my first picture Miss
Miller says, for two reasons. One is
that the dialogue pictures have now
been perfected The other is that the
addition of color to the screen is big
help to the artist
Il think that color gives added real
ism, and lends life and feeling to
figures on the screen. noticed it espe-
cially in my tap dancing and in other
scenes that must have vivid animation
on the screen to be successful
The progress in the science Of
Technicolor has been very rapid in
the past few months, and ! know that
Sally is going to surprise everyone
from color standpoint"
Alexander Gray, who formerly sang
in the ord-breaking stage production
Of sally" with Miss Miller is her lead
ing man. Joe E. Brown has the leading
comedy role, and others in the cast in
clude Bert Kelton, Ford Sterling, Jac]
Duffy and Nora Lane.
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-08-07
Local Briefs

Old Time dance at Woodmen Hall
August 9Th by Ladies' Woodmen. 1t
Walter Neils and r. r Veldrnan were
business visitors in Spokane the first
Of the week.
Mr.. and Mrs. c. c. Jewell drove last
Friday to the North Fork of the Flat
head and spent the weekend there.
Mr.. and Mrs. Chas. D. Rowe and
daughter, Miss Helen, will leave this
afternoon to motor to Spokane on a
weekend trip.
r. T. Anderson left the first Of the
week for Eureka where he was joined
by friends from Spokane, the party
then going to Fish lake for an out
ing.
Mrs. j. d. Hargreaves is in receipt
Of news stating nephew residing IN
the East recently took examination for
employment by the u. S. coast guard
Out of 1893 applicants only 50 passed
and the nephew was one of the sue
cessful ones.
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-08-07
THINGS TO FORGET.

If you see a tall fellow ahead Of d
crowd
A leader of men marching fearless and
proud,
And you know of a tale whose mere
telling aloud
Would cause his proud head tc in
anguish be bowed
It's pretty good plan to forget it.
If you know of skeleton hid away
In closet, and guarded and kept from
the day
In the dark; and whose showing, whose
sudden display,
Would cause frief and sorrow, and
lifelong disnay,
It's pretty good plan to forget il.
If you know of thing that will darken
the Joy
Of man, or woman, girl or a boy
That will wipe out smile or the Least
way annoy
A fellow, or cause any gladness tt
cloy,
It's a pretty good plan to forget II
Exchange
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-08-07

Mrs. Archie Koehler of Rexford was
transacting business in the city the
first of the week
Mrs. Gilmore and children of Mich
igan are visiting her brother, Chas-
Marshall, and family.
RI. c.. Buck, who has been visiting
for the past week with his brother, l..
c. Buck, left Monday for his home III
San Francisco, Calf.
Mr.. and Mrs. George Pike returned
the first of the week from months
trip spent visiting in Oregon and Cali
fornia. Mr.. Pike is recovering nicely
from broken collar bone, the result Of
an accident.
Miss Carrie Escott plans to leave
next Saturday for Butte to resume her
work there after visiting here with
her mother and brothers for three
weeks
Mickey Anderson of Helena was q
weekend guest of John Curtis, the
two young men having been fraternity
brothers at the state university last
year Anderson is spending the sum-
mer vacation with the u. S. geological
survey at Rexford-
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-08-07
TWO BAD FOREST FIRES
DEMAND BIG FIGHTING FORCE

MISSOULA. -(U.P)- Two fierce.
forest fires engaged hundreds of men
and forest service officials in western
Montana and the panhandle of Idaho
over the weekend.
Most serious of the conflagrations
was the one on Marten creek in Cab
met national forest which destroyed
some $500 acres of fine growth, and
engaged more than 300 men on five
mile line.
The other blaze, located in the Cool
water district of Selway forest, had a
perimeter of nine miles, and for a
time, when stiff winds drove the flames
across fire lines laborously established,
menaced great area.
So menacing was the blaze Friday
that forest officials, the veterans of
scores of similar fires, flew by plane
to the scene to take personal command
Of the field forces.
Other blazes in scattered districts de-
manded attention and forces were sent
to keep them in check Among these
were fires on the South Fork of Marten
Creek, on Surveyor Creek in the Lolc
forest, on the South Fork of Fish creek
and the Porcupine fire in Nez Perez
forest.
Forest service officials issued addi-
tional warnings against disposing o.
lighted matches and cigarettes, anG
rangers stationed on main highway:
made personal requests to motorist.
that utmost care be exercised in the
forested districts.
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-08-07
MONTANA'S BANK BALANCE
SHOWS HEALTHY INCREASE

HELENA U.P.)-Montana's bank
balance showed an increase in total
deposits of almost ST 100000 as of June
80, according to the report of the state
banking department released last week.
The gain was made during the period
from March q to June &c.
During the same period loans were
reduced by approximately s1,OOO,0OO
The report concerned the 121 state
banks and trust companies and private
banks under the departments super
vision
The report showed that average in
creases of from IS to % percent APP
peared in the cash reserves of the in
stitutions, while secondary reserves,
consisting of bonds and other securities,
increased several hundred thousand
dollars.
In view Of present depressed eco
nomic and agricultural conditions
throughout the country, these i'm
provements are most gratifying said
G. M. Robertson, state superintendent
| OF banks.
Total deposits of state and private
banks at the end of the second quar-
ter he said, are approximately $780,
0O0,000 and, although figures are not
available to show the total deposits OF
the 62 national banks in Montana al
this time, it is assumed that they will
equal, if not exceed. the amount Of
| deposits in state banks"
During the last year the q building
and loan institutions operating in thi!
state increased their resources more
than S1,000,OO0 bringing the total IL
So, 235, 125.12.
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1930-08-07

Through the efforts Of the state de-
partment of agriculture, labor and in
dustry, special prizes are being offered
Montana exhibitors at the Information
al Grain and Hay show to be held De-
cenber 6 at Chicago.