St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-02-11
PRIVATELY PLANNED,
The Auditorium Committee
Listens to Mr.. Davidson'S
Proposition.
He Proposes to SuperSede the
City Auditorium With
His Own, ~ ~
ri
I'd
But Declines to Give q Bond
Suggested by Chairman
McCafferty. -
Aid. Murray Favors the Plan,
Aid. Murray Favops the Plan,
But Objects to the Bond
Idea.

The proposition of Edward F. Dayid-
son, mentioned in these columns yesler-
day, has worked another delay in..lthe
auditorium project. The joint council
committee that has the matter in charge
held an adjourned meeting in the Office
of the corporation attorney yesterday
afternoon at which Mr.. Davidson was
present, aud all action was deferred for
ten days to give him an opportunity to
show just what he can offer.
w. Z. Murray was the first to present
his views. He rehearsed the story that
Mr.. Davidson is the owner Of the old
Grand opera site on Wabasha street, be-
tween Third and Fourth streets, and
and Mr.. Murray amplified by explaining
that he figured as the exponent of the
interests Of taxpayers, and he felt it his
bounden duty to give all opportunity to
private enterprise when 1t will prove a
saving of public money. He urged that
Mr.. Davidson can furnish an auditorium
to accommodate between 5000 and 1000
people. and he maintained that this is
ample for all needs.
Assemblyman Nc Cafferty felt differ
emily. He was perfectly williRg-in-
deed, he said he would prefer TO have
the structure built by private capital
if building of adequate capacity, mod
ern and convenient, would be provided
in that way; but he wanted to be as
Sured that there will be 10 hitch in the
proceedings or progress of the enter
prise. He said he had talked with Mr.
Davidson over the matter the past year,
and lately Mr.. Davidson had told him
that i'll the event the city fails to con-
Struct an auditorium, he was willing to
build on the old Grand opera site. Mr..
McCatferty had responded that he
thought the proposition comes too late.
The city has already been at consider
able expense in giving shape to the en-
terprise, and public sentiment is en-
thused for the market house plan.
But L told Mr.. Davidson"
pursued the astute assemblyman.
auditorium of sufficient capacity and
the sort of a building the city needs.
l was willing to give him full oppor-
tunity TO formulate and present plans
for our consideration. | should insist,
however, that he enter into specific
agreement or. contract with the city to
build the kind of an auditorium we
want, and have it ready for use by
certain time. and that he file sufficient
bond with the city to secure the enforce
ment Of the contract. What we want is
tangible proposition, We want to
know just what the seating capacity
will be. and we want it ready Oh a GER
tain time. 1t occurs to me that two or
three days should suffice for him to be
ready to submit such proposition. and
ten days is too long to wait | will ask
Mr.. Davidson to explain his plan"
MIR. Davidson replied that he had had
in contemplation such building for a
long time. He assured the committee
that he could furnish an auditorium
with capacity of between 5000 and
1000 people, and he would erect mod
ern structure in every way. The pur-
pose WILL be not for theatrical use, but
for concerts and miscellaneous public
gatherings. -.
Have you consulted an architect?p
asked Mr.. McCafferty, but before Mr..
Davidson could reply Mr.. Murray asked
John Sommers, an interested party. to
unfold his views. MIR. Sommers related
that the site is 425 by S3 feet, and he
knew that the capacity of the old opera
house can be increased by one-half. The
plan is to build the stairs in the present
Grand opera block on Wabasha street
so that all the other space will be re-
served for seating capacity.
"Will you be willing, Mr.. Davidson.
to enter into contract with the city,
quered MIR. McCatferty, ito build The
auditorium according to plans you may
propose and give sufficient bond to
have it ready by a certain reasonable
date?'
mo. sir; / advise Mr.. Davidson not
to do anything Of the kind" cried Mr..
Murray with feeling. "rhat won't do.
Let us act like sensible men,"
Are you here i'll the capacity of at
orney for Mr.. Davidson?" asked Mir.
McCatfertY, poignantly.
Dobner or Mr.. McCafferty. | am here
as a simple alderman to protect the
interests of the taxpayers" And here
enSued hot exchange of compliments.
MIR. Davidson asked for a reasonable
length of time in which to prepare a
proposition, and in case it should not
be satisfactory to the council he would
quietly retire.
Mr.. McCafferty explained that it had
been intimated to him that this new
project had been conceived with the
idea of delaying the auditorium. He
had great deal of confidence in Mr..
DavidSOn'S integrity, and he did not be-
lieye the rumor was we'll founded, but
he would ask that bond be filed with
the city to ensure good faith. This
could work no hardship TO Mr.. David
sons interests if he is in earnest, and
Mr.. McCafferty verify believed he is,
and it will satisfy the citizens. There
upon Mr.. Sullivan moved that Mr..
Davidson be given until Saturday, Feb.
20, at 3 O'Clock, to submit proposition,
and this obtaining the meeting ad-
iourDpd