The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-23
With Him is Major Anderson,
Whose Record of Success
Has Been a Long and Bright
One in Topeka.
IF ALL WILL RALLY
Together the Proposed Audi
- torium Will Win.
Mr.. FOUGHT Partially MOdifies
His Proposition.

There Is little reason to believe that
any one man will or can build an audi
torium in Topeka. 1t must be built
through the concentrated efforts of the
citizens of Topeka who have the best in
erests of the city at heart.
J. Il, FOUGHT who thought, when the
enterprise was first suggested, that he
might undertake to build a convention
hall has abandoned the idea of erecting
one himself, but he says that with other
business men of the city he is ready to
contribute to the erection of an audi
Norium large enough to accommodate
5000 people,
Topeka needs an auditorium said
Mr.. FOUGHT, "but 1 would not like to
undertake the management of one. I
know nothing at all about the business
and it would have to be experimental
and l would not like to undertake it my
self, all alone / think that the city
SHOULD put up the building for the city
would receive the benefit and the money
would be well spent"
It has been suggested that the city use
the $4,000 in the coal hole fund to assist
in building an auditorium. According
to the off hand estimates made, the
structure would cost in the neighborhood
of $4,000 and with $1O,O in the fund
to start with there would be encourage
ment 1or people to contribute.
Mr.. P. g. Noel. who has canvassed the
situation, says that he believes that the
money 10 build an auditorium can be
raised. He says that the people of the
city have come to realize that something
must be done soon or the city will lose
its prestige as a convention town.
Mr.. Noel said: "If Mr.. FOUGHT intends
to build an auditorium / am willing to
contribute something to help him, but 1
think that people make a mistake if they
think that it will pay. / do not believe
that an auditorium will pay the people
4 who invest in it, directly. It must be
question of public spirit. OF course It
will prove great benefit to the city, but
as far as individual profits are concerned
l doubt if they would justify the erection
of building.
81 have talked to a great many busi-
aaess men about the auditorium.
81 am of the opinion that such an au-
ditorium as should be built in Topeka
will cost in the neigh borhood of $40,O
ner on account of light and ventilation.
The trouble with Topeka halls is that
they are not well ventilated"
Mr. Noel has made no effort as yet to
raise money, but he will be one of a COM
mittee to push the scheme to build hall
at once. He says that there is no time TO
be wasted, and the citizens of Topeka
agree with him.
Major T. J. Anderson, who is also in
terestod in seeing a convention hall built
In Topeka, thinks the money can be
raised without great deal of trouble
He would also be willing to take hold of
the matter and assist in raising the
funds.
No ore has definite idea about what
a building such as is needed in Topeka
will cost. but Mr.. Noel puts it high
enough when he says it will take about
$4,000. Architect Hadley was asked to
make an estimate but he was not able to
do so without taking some time.
Mr.. Noel thinks that the building
y hould be of brick and one story in
height arranged 40 the sides could be
thrown open for ventilation.
All citizens are taking an interest in
the matter, and among them some of the
~wealshiest and most influential in the
city.
The agitation will continue until
,cennlte action is taken. Our envious
'neighbors have done much to belittIe
ana cry down Topeka as the following
from the Leavenworth Times will show:
topeka Is being stung into action by
tne sharp remarks passed by the press of
tne state. Besides her pernicious habit
OF heecing all visitors to conventions
held there, it is notorious that
Topeka has not proper facilities
for housing a large convention. The
STATE JOURNAL has started an agitation
70 build a decent auditorium, a verv mr.
gent desideratum for a city which claims
all the gatherings in the state and has to
satisfy the greedy nav of its boarding
houses. A hall to accommodate 5000
people is now proposed"
The Lawrence Journal says: "Ths To-
peka papers are just waking up to the
Tact that the town ought to provide some
place for people to meet if they go there
10 have meetings. The loss of three or
tour conventions this year has taught
tne residents of Topeka that there are
oI4er towns besides theirs in the state
from the above Topeka people will
plainly see that we must act for ourselves
and act quickly. If Topeka can be
crushed and pushed into the background