The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-27
BACK WITH THEIR PLANS.
THE GRAND oPERA-HoUsE BUILDING
COMMITTEE RETURNS.
Col. W. NJ Harrington Relates the Re
suit of Tour Among Cities Where
Model Temples of Amusement Are to
be Found-Building Soon to Begin.

Col. William NJ. Harrington, and Messrs.
A. b. Treadwell and S. Ii. Brooks have re-
turned.
These gentlemen constitute the building
committee appointed from the Grand OPP
era-house directors few weeks since
Their absence from Memphis was occa-
stoned by commission TO inspect some OF
the leading and more modern theatsrs and
opera-houses OF the country, with n view
to placing one OF the most complete struct-
ures OF the kind in this city, at the corner
OF Main and Beale streets.
They have come back loaded down with
plans and specifications diagrams, and
everything else, except money, that could
enter into the construction OF the proposed
opera-house.
An APPEAL man ran across Col. Far
rington at the Gayoso Hotel, yesterday
afternoon. The Colonel had made himself
comfortable at a dining-room table some
time before the reporter arrived, and after
awaiting his reappearance in the office for
half an hour or more, he still sat at the
well laden table. Among the others anx-
ious to meet the Colonel was Mr.. j. ii.
| White. Finally the latter took short
stroll, came back, still the returned COM
mitteeman was at dinner which moved
| Mr. White TO inscribe on q card the fol.
lowing and send it up: ''Ilave you had
ANYTHING to eat during your absence from
Memphis?" The enjoyment OF his meal
appeased the wrath which the inquiry
provoked. A few minutes later Col. Far.
| rington appeared. Before giving him
chance to use any burning language over
the insinuating card sent up TO him, the
reporter asked the privilege OF inspecting
the building plans brought back by the
committee.
81 have whole trunk full OF them at
home" replied the Colonel, smiling over
an interest in his pet idea.
"What, then, OF the committees trip"
eve went from here TO Nashville, 10
inspect the Nendome, a theater building
OF which We had heard much. When we
got there We told those people that re-
port had reached Memphis that the Ven
dome was not large enough for them, but
was large enough for and would, doubt
less, suit us, and wo were there 10 buy
and remove IL TO Memphis. They looked
upon the proposition us good joke. We
were shown every courteous attention by
the Nendome people, went through and
gave the house a critical inspection, and
found IL gem. Some OF tho committee
favored stopping right there, but We lin
ally concluded to proceed 10 Chicago. There
we made our headquarters at the Palmer
House, from which We took In all the
theaters and opera-house buildings We
found McNicker's the most interesting,
aud gave particular attention 10 IT, After
gathering every point OF value connected
with il, we announced Kansas City us ouI
next point The people laughed ut us for
even thinking OF Kansas City after having
visited Chicago. the architects in particu-
lar. We found, too, that Kansas
City people were nj Chicago after
architects for public buildings, res.
licences, etc, aud concluded that perhaps
we were legitimate prey for their laughing
propensilies. All the available plans, aud
other data that the architects could furnish
US were secured. We told them that We
had magnificent lot, eligibly located, for
which We had paid $4,000, aud II We
didn't have q magnificent and well APP
pointed building the fault would rest with
The architects. DO you know that none
OF the iheatcrs up there seat more
than 1900 pcoplc7 It's fact; asked
some Of the managers about Il, and was
told that capacity was ample for them
II they could keep their houses filed e
the capacity they would be satisfied and
make money. II that is true Of Chicago
Il must DO Of Memphis. From ChicagC
We went 90 ST. Louis, gave most OF ouI
attention 10 the Olympic, increased oui
stock OF plans and came home"
"Iou will build the Grand Opera.housc
then, 10 seat about 1000, giving up the
original idea Of preparing for 2,j003"
IL expect we'll recommend a seating ca
paciiy Of about 1900, but with provision
10 increase IL 100 or 200 In emergencies
In addition 10 the regular public prosce
mum boxes, you know We are 10 have
twenty-five private boxes for the stock
holders"
"will that not interfere In the engage
mcnt Of the attractions you will desire ano
endcavor 20 securc2 For instance, DO you
believe they will consent 30 play In you
opera-house when twenty-five privat,
boxes, with capacity Of 100 OF more poo
pie. aud on the free list are rcserycd?"
III am satisfied that feature will cut M
figure whatever. On the contrary, | be
lioyo II will be an advantage, AZ assuring
the public ~ a respectable attendance
Only one party can be taken In by the
stockholders, making total Of hliy."
care there any other changes your com
mitce are inclined 10 rcoommendP'
"Wcll, We will probably suggest TO thu
: Board Of Directors 10 make the building
iour-story one, with business houses OF
the ground floor, and flats on the upper
In this way additional revenue can b,
realized by the company, and good turn
served the public"
: "when will work on the opora-hous
bcgin?"
"Our report will be made 10 the Iloart
Of Directors probably this week, and thoi
We begin. They tell US II can be finishes