Document: dbr096 [view transcript]
Letter: Jacksonville, Florida to Ben Stein, Macon, Georgia, 1928 July 9author: Joel, L. D. extent: [2] p. date: July 9, 1928 summary: Letter from L. D. Joel to Ben Stein, owner and manager of the Douglass Theatre, dated July 9, 1928, responding to a business proposition from Stein. Joel explains that he cannot join in any outside theater venture because he is planning to build a theater. He advises Stein to make the Douglass Theatre profitable rather than turning the Douglass into a theater for "white people." Joel remarks that it is a gamble to operate a theater, but that if the Douglass Theatre were purchased at a reasonable figure, then Stein and his brother Luke, owner and manager of the Palace Theatre in Valdosta, Georgia, could handle it together. He affirms that they can make a success out of the Douglass Theatre. Joel generously offers to endorse a paper to purchase the Douglass Theatre from its stockholders. repository: Middle Georgia Archives collection: Charles Henry Douglass business records box: 22 folder: 223 item: 36 subjects: Macon (Ga.) Page: [1] [view image] [Note: This document contains handwritten and printed text.] [printed text:
[written text: July 9th 1928 Dear Ben Answering Your letter of the 6th beg to say at Present I Cannot go into any outside Theatre Venture as I am at Present figuring on building a 10¢ Theatre on our Property adjoining the [unclear text: Carling] Hotel; I note what you have to say in reference to turning the Douglas into a Film House for White People and having a better location in mind for Colored of Course You being on the ground floor should be in a better Position to Judge than me. but frankly speaking if it were me I'd leave it alone for the Present and use every effort to make the Douglas a Paying Proposition under its Present Policy -- I again say that when Conditions will again be normal, The Douglas should be a Wonderful Proposition as to the road show house statistics show 90% of such houses are burned and it's an awful Gamble to operate one Page: [2] [view image] I may be wrong in my Views but am giving you my opinion and you can take it for what it is Worth if The Douglas Can be Purchased at a reasonable figure and to be operated as at Present and some arrangement can be made that you and Luckie can handle it independently together I beleave [believe] a success can be made out of it and if my endorsement will be of any Value to help the deal -- I am Perfectly Willing to endorse any Paper that you may give to Purchase same from the Present Stockholders. With Kindness regards to Your Wife & Kiddies from Mrs Joel & Myself Sincerly [Sincerely] Yours --
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