Evening Star Newspaper, December 17, 1929, Page 23

THE EVENING MANY MOURNING 0LD HIPPODROME Palace of Amazement for Children Makes Way for Skyscraper. BY CHARLES ESTCOURT, JR. NEV’ YORK, December 16 (N.AN.A). ~—It's a good thing the permanence of Christmas here doesn't depend upon a plot of ground. That just about expresses the senti- ments of a million or so TSONS as they read with dismay that New York soon will suffer a dislocated hippo- drome, because the next “highest build- ing in the world” is to rise on 'the ground where the “largest theater” of yesteryear still stands. As an asset to childhood the Hippo- drome rates not so far behind Christ- mas in the memories of a multitude of “children of all ages,” as Mark A. Luescher, director general of this huge and famous playhouse, fondly called his patrons of the past. Thus, as a juvenile paradise of cheese- cloth, paint, tinsel, elephants and fig- ures with flags and wings and rainbow costumes, the Hippodrome is enshrined in the memories of men, and therefore the tide of regret that sweeps in uopn the announcement that Fred F. French, maker of the $50,000,000 walk-to-work city at the East River, and once an $18 timekeeper in the erection of the Hippo- drome, has sworn to supplant the play- house with an 83-story $30,000,000 building, 1,100 feet high. Famous Personages There. Childhood memories outweigh all others. What if the Prince of Wales did pick it for his only official appear- | choose to show up tl ance on his first visit and Gen. Pershing appeared there first after the war and kings, admirals, general, diplomats and assorted heroes of Ec.u and war did ere—of all places? What if the old pile has thrilled to the voices, art and personalities of McCor- mack, Caruso, Schumann-Heink, Mary Garden, Chaliapin, Calve, Sousa, Tos- canini, Melba, Paderewski and many more? ‘These names are august, but here they are dimmed in recollections by the ever-young “Happy Days, Hip, Hooray” an T Celebrities have strutted in the Waldo: Astoria, now being razed, and in Ca: negie Hall, narrowly saved from de- struction, but no house within the memory of the living has held such novel splendor and such grandeur of display as has the old Hippodrome, now doomed, alas. Old Hippodrome? Well, old by New York standards, and old in tradition, for the spectacles that glorified that stage belong to the pre-movie era. In years not old, even in terms of human life, for it was only 24 years ago, in 1905, that the Hippodrome opened, with a pageant called “A Yankee Circus on Mars.” Even so the Hippodrome lasted longer than old time showmen had pre- dicted. Dumbfounds Theater Men. Its vast stage and water tank left them dumbfounded at the audacity of Fred Thompson and Elmer Dundy, who promoted and designed the house, and the United States Realty Co., the own- ers. Yet for nine years mammoth spec- tacles succeeded one another, under Shubert and Anderson, who put on “Neptune’s Daughter,” with Annette Kellerman, as their most imposing venture. Shows on the grand scale continued under Charles B. Dillingham. beginning in 1915, and the presentations staged by R. H. Burnside became world tamous for their lavish and evei extravagant lighting, scenery, costumes and colossal propositions in personnel, ranging from dwarf to elephant, and_their bewilder- ing succession of acts. It was a stupen- dous indoor circus—the greatest show on earth under a roof, and the most elaborate thing of the kind since the Wo | declin: of Rome. Aquatic, athletic, military, naval, circus, ballet and pano- | ramic features were presented with a | scope and style unequaled. In 1923, when it was reported the Hipp. .rome was coming down and a | skyscraper hotel would go up there, | protesting letters poured in from every- | where. Then Edward F. Albee hought the building for about $6,000,000, spent | nearly a million in alterations, and opened the Palace as the de luxe vaude- ville house of the world. Made Basement Toyland. Recognizing its tradition as a shrine for childhood, Mr. Albee converted the basement into a “Toyland,” where, it is estimated, fully a million children under 14 have mingled with the inhabitants— | human midgets and dwarf animals—in | Lilliputian stores, farms and play- grounds. That's all over now. Gone are the | Martian milkmaids, the savage Maoris, Marceline, the London clown; the fair creatures in “The Dance of the Hours" and the mermaids who plunged into the tank and didn’t come up. Gone in the name of progress they are, and it will be just as well :f parents of wounded sensibilities refrain from lamenting the fact to their children, lest the sophisti- cated offspring make a few pungent re- marks that put the elders still more definitely in their place as old-timers and has-beens, like the Hipodrome itself. (Copyright. 1929. by the North American Newspaper Alliance.) WILL RETIRE OFFICER. The President has approved the ap- plication of Lieut. Col. Harold C. Fiske, Corps of Engineers, commanding the 6th Engineers at Fort Lawton, Wash- ington, for transfer to the retired list of the Army, June 30, 1930, when he will have completed more than 30 years' active mulitary service. A native of New York, Col. Fiske was graduated from the Military Academy in June, 1903, and from the Engineer School in 1908. He served in the World War as a colonel of Engineers, National Army, and reached the grade of lieutenant colonel in the Regular Army in Sep- tember, 1926. \\\'//4 peRLEY N TAR, WASHINGTON, D. C., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1979 After the Funeral. BY JAMES M. BAILE' James Montgomery Bailey, 184 A e Siforsnip of the Danbury’ New Gonn, ~ His works include “Life ““Engiand Prom a Back Window, ip's Goneness.” etc. ‘ It was just after the funeral. The| bereaved and subdued widow, enveloped | in millinery gloom, was seated in the| sitting room with a few sympathizing friends. There was that constrained | look so peculiar to the occasion observ- able on every countenance. The widow sighed. l"'l’low do you feel, my dear?” said her sistes T, “Oh. I don't know,” said the poor woman, with difficulty restraining her tears. “But I hope everything passed off well.” | “Indeed it did,” said all the ladies. «It was as large and respectable a funeral as I have seen this Winter,”| said the sister, looking around upon the | others. “Yes, it was,” said the lady from next door. “I was saying to Mrs. Slocum only 10 minutes ago that the attendance couldn't have been better—the bad go- ing_considered.” | “Did you see the Taylors?” asked the | widow faintly, looking at her sister.| “They go so rarely to funerals that was surprised to see them here.” “Oh, yes, the Taylors were all here,” sald the sympathizing sister. “As you say, they go but a little—they are so exclusive!” “I thought I saw the Curtises also,” suggested the bereaved women droop- | ingly. “Oh, yes!” chimed in several. “They came in their own carriage, too,” said the sister animatedly. “And then there were the Randalls and the Van Rens- selaers. Mrs. Van Rensselaer had her THE EVENING STORY One of World-Famous Works of Literature cousin from the city with her, and Mrs. Randall wore a very heavy black silk which I am sure was quite new. Did n | You see Col. Haywood and his daugh- ters, love?” “I thought I saw them, but I wasn't . [sure. They were here, then, were they?” “Yes, indeed!” said they all again. And the lady who lives across the way observed: “The colonel was very sociable and inquired most kindly of you and the sickness of your husband.” The widow smiled faintly. She was gratified by the interest shown by the colonel. = The friends now rose to go, each bid- ding her good-by and expressing the| hope that she would be calm. Her sister bowed them out. When the sister returned she said: “You can see, my love, what the neigh- bors think of it. I wouldn’t have had anything unfortunate happen for a good deal, but nothing did. The arrange- ments couldn't have been better.” “I think some of the people in the neighborhood must have been surprised to see so many of the uptown people here,” suggested the afflicted woman, trying to look hopeful. “You may be quite sure of that,” as- serted the sister. “I could see that plain enough by their looks.” “‘Well, I am glad there is no occasion for talk,” said the widow, smoothing the skirt of her dress. And after that the boys took the chdnlrs home and the house was put in order. e o Deepest Shaft Started. Sinking of the deepest colliery pit |xhl(t in England has just been started near Deal. It will be 3,020 feet deep, and will open a vein of coal 41, feet thick, which is estimated to contain 1,000,000,000 tons of fuel. Its diameter will be 20 feet. WARD & LLO 23 WOMAN’S IDENTITY | PUZZLES OFFICIALS, [Perfcct Teeth Disproves Belief Mn-% tilated Body Is That of Mrs. Beatrice Cutts. By the Associated Press. MEMPHIS, Tenn., December 17— Perfect teeth and a letter led police to assume the mutilated body found near Marked Tree, Ark., is noi that of Mrs. Beatrice Clutts, 23-year- old wife of Horace Clutts, although hei husband had identified it and was pre- | paring for the funeral. Clutts, a Memphis railroad man, told investigators his wife had two false teeth. A Marked Tree dentist said the | body there had no false teeth and a Memphis dentist who fitted the teeth said it was not Mrs. Clutts. | The husband received a letter yester- day in his wife’s handwriting “which stated she was working in Blue Dia- mond, Ky., and hoped to be home for ' Christmas. It was dated last Friday, | a day after the body was discovered. | Mrs. Clutts said in the letter she was | working in a com ry and living under the name of Mrs. Charles Brown. It saie “We left Bill's house several days ago.” Police believe “Bill” is Bill Thomas, described as a Chicago racketeer, who was sought in_ connection with Mrs. Clutts’ death. She was reported to have left Chicago with Thomas last week. Juanita La Rue was the name she adopted there. Friends of Mrs. Clutts identified the body and a brother-in-law was as cer- tain as Clutts appeared to be that “it is Beatrice.” Sheriff A. H. Landers, Marked Tree, will start all over again and try to have the body identified. ‘William McLaren, farmer, near Prin- gle, S. Dak., raised 6,000 bushels of potatoes on 15 acres. T = _The Christmas Store —. 000,000 loan for which the finance min- istry is negotiating in the United States. Political circles regarded the sudden< | visit of Dr. Schacht as of the greatest : « importance, in view of his hithertos GERMANY ASKS LOAN | 0F s‘o'ooo’ooo INU.S | steadfast refusal to sanction a foreign ¢ President Von Hinderburg and|Dcseures for. $155,000,000 intromte W | Reichsbank President Meet to ' Discuss Pending Negotiation. The results of his conference with the President were kept secret, but it was believed that a good guess as to the result might be made during the next |few days by watching the attitude of - im‘el' kzze}c)flwmlnkdwwn‘u the loan. B 3 e federal advisory board on fore! _BERLIN, December 17.—President |,,..,¢* ;L AP0 1981 o forelgn Paul von Hindenburg last night received | sisive voice, yesterday refused to approve or. Hjalmar Schacht, president of the |a projected £15,000,000 loan for the city teichsbank, reportedly to learn the at- |of Eerlin through Dillon, Read & Co., itude of the banker toward the $10,- 'New York bankers. %eALAls RovAL o /| By the Assoclated Press. Special! - Coty’s $1 Round Compact 79¢ This is Coty’s famous round compact that always sells for $1. The powder is enormously popular because it suits all complexions, and you know, (\)_f c’(i]ufe' l}o:)iv l(])vel;tr tlll{e Coty fragrances are. Couw’ll be glad also to know that yo the 50c refills for 35c. i Palais Royal—Main Floor Gifts for the Feminine World’s Widely Varied Activities A smart woman’s day includes so many activities—from shopping in town—a morning canter on horseback—a game of golf—luncheon at smart restaurants—a bridge or tea engagement in the afternoon and dinner and dancing at night. With each activity there are new costumes—and each costume wardrobe offers many gift suggestions. Here are but a few . . . and Woodward & Lothrop fashion-conscious departments have hosts of others. Gifts for the Daytime Wardrobe ‘The molded cos- tume slip of crepe de chine CosTUME Siirs THIRD FLOOR. Kayser “Solo” com- bination of glove —with bras- THD FLOOR. and hose in shade— $4; Gloves match suede pull-on: chiffon hose. ACCESSORTES Fst FLOOR. Gifts for daytime hours are almost numberless—but one may rest assured that every gift selected at Woodward & Lothrop is fashion right. Other gifts are listed beside those sketched, which offer other gifts sure to be welcomed. Chokers of twisted coral heads and gold links......$24 FINE JEWELRY Fmst FLOOR. Gifts for the Simulated and carved lated ivory choker $6 Bracelet to match .52 rY amber simu- FirsT FLOOR. Other Gifts for Sports Rider broadcloth blouses. Riding crops Leather belts, for riding Golf belts, with tees.. Ties, plain and striped Scarf clasps ......... SrorTSWEAR, THIRD FLOO .35 $3 and $5 $1.50 to $3 -$3.50 $1.50 Glove silk sports set; cuff-bottom step-in _and bandette .$4.95 Adirondia Wool Breech- ettes for active sports. Set $3.95 Lincerie, THIRD FLOOR. §1 Other Gifts for Daytime Handkerchiefs .50c to $1 Costume jewelry, set in silver and gold-like metal with simu- lated stones .... $5.95 Clever fur cape of laj $29.50 FsT AND THIRD FLOORS. Sports Wardrobe If your list has the names of those who lgve sports—come to our Sportswear Sec- tion for answers to every gift problem. Hel:e you will find gifts for the woman actively engaged in sports or for the woman who merely likes sports clothes. seal pouch clasp — is sports $12 1 e eapeskin Brown pin with zipper smart for b . shab gloves .. Accessories, First FLOOR. A muff to match Furs, THIRD FLOOR. Gifts for the Evening Wardrobe Earrings of chrysoprase Bracelets of white stones Glittering heels .. “Houbigant’s Ideal FIRsT AND THIRD FLOORS. Chanel necklace baguet: tals, let, COSTUME JEWELRY Fist FLOOR. erystal greiit'h cut erys- $25; brace. R White and pastel brocaded short eve- ning wrap with crushed velvet col- lar NECKWEAR Fmst FLOOR. Gifts for the Atternoon Wardrobe With the new feminine era—with the more feminine clothes—there are more dellghtfu] gifts to give than ever before. The afternoon wardrobe offers lovely gift possibilities—a few are suggested here. The sportswoman will like golf_pin, $1, R i i sports and country club s115 SPORTSWEAR, A jersey blouse for sports wear, with Brouses, THIRD FLOOR. o riding pin s Real chryoprase and sterling silver necklace ......$10 A smart prase ring. . CosTuME JEwrLRY FsT FLOOR. $1.50 THIRD FLOOR. button neck- $3.95 An exquisitz uine antelope bs with chrysoprase drop and clasp.$50 Longer b lack gloves -$6 Accessor Fmst Froon. of crepe Sheer net evening hose, finesse buckles FIRST AND Fitted evening che- mise of crepe satin with low-cut eve- ning back LINGERIE THmp FLOOR. Fitted combin: satin, for princesse sil- houette frocks Others, lace trim- Chiffon square, with insets of lace at three corners, hand-rolled hem 3 HANDKERCHIEFS First FLOOR. Pearl-embroider e d evening pouch with gilt frame and chain ... of cobweb 6 hinestone $15 LeataER GooDS THIRD FLOOR. Houbigant's New Odor, “Bois Dor- mant”—a perfume that lures and lin- * gers. The flacon, $5 ‘TOILETRIES First FLOOR. Fitted evening cos- tume slip, with ing vee-cut $10.50 evening back...$10 CosTUME SLIPs THIRD FLOOR. Lingerie set; collar and cuffs for after- noon frocks -.$3.95 Others, of ba- tiste #.52.95 to $5 NECKWEAR FirsT FLOOR. $5