Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-12
CHANCE ID PULL TOGETHER
 J Ringing Appeal for Mardi Gras by the Mayor.
 isi STOCK COMPANY IS URGED Also to Construct Popular Auditorium for the Carnival and for Perma-
 nent Use.
Birmingham, Jan. II, 1896.

l trust you will pardon the liberty I am assuming in calling to your earnest attention two undertakings which, in my judgment, are both timely and will I be- live, meet with the general approval of our people as healthy and clean endeav- ors to bring all classes and conditions into more hopeful, brighter and bene- f1cial relations with each others. Bir- mingham sorely needs for it's people to get together and pull together for the up- building and healthy development of this city and district. Unless we do this we will be long in reaching our best and rightful growth and prosperity. Per sonal antagonisms should as far as pos sible be buried. Personal interest vigor- ously pressed, but ever in a broad and generous spirit. We will never be great as a city or district unless this spirit of mutual hopefulness and cheerful mutual assistance is cultivated and encouraged until it becomes our marked and distin- gushing characteristics as city, district and people.
 With these preliminary remarks made with some hesitation, and with the kind est feeling, but most earnestly, allow me to commend to your attention:
 Music Festival.
 A large music festival to be held here about the middle of May next. You may remember that this matter was favorably discussed by many of you last winter, but circumstances then prevented us from taking active steps to inaugurate the movement. Birmingham has just re- gently at Atlanta achieved marked and worldwide notice as to material and ed ucational progress. Let us now show the world what we have and what we can do in musical development.
 venture to say that in and among the mining towns around us, in the country adjacent and in our own city is an Nf k.,1@ rYrIt FaTa6 hi " which we ourselves hardly know and ap- preciate. It would, I verify believe, amaze our own people to see what a splendid, healthy, bright and sunny world of musical wealth we have all around us if it were properly gathered together and placed before the public, Let us, therefore, take heart again, blow the bugles, get together and have such great musical carnival in May. Set apart one afternoon especially for the clubs in the country; another afternoon for the clubs in the various mining towns around us; one night for the Birmingham College of Music; another for. the Conservatory of Music also possibly make liberal arr engagements for college and city glee clubs throughout the state. This latter feature could, if properly worked uP, draw quite a good patronage for the feS- tival from the colleges and other cities of the state. On these afternoons and nights other numbers would be given by other individuals and societies, but the main attractions would be as indicated Enlist the active aid and hearty co-opera- ton of all lovers of music and societies in the city and district, carefully giving to each and all as full and impartial a place on the several programmes as pos- sible. Have 1t understood that no one would be paid, as the proceeds over and above the actual expenses and cost Of prizes, to be distributed among the sev-
 
 over to. say the Mercy Home, United Charities, hospital and Camp Hardee for distribution among the deserving sick and poor.
 Guarantee Fund.
 Have a guarantee fund, say of $750 raised to guard against all possible con- tingencies. Place this fund in the hands of an executive committee of leading bus mess men, who would have entire charge of the business part of the festival, out line it's work, arrange after proper con sultation with others who are prominent ly interested in music, the programmes, and rigidly control all expenditures. In this connection I would venture to sug- gest among the many excellent men whose name now occur to me, MeSsrS. Chalifoux Munger, Dearborn and Pro lessor Roof, all ardent lovers of music and citizens of the highest integrity and standing, and who, I feel assured, pos sess the full confidence and respect of our people.
 Get the railroads to issue half rates and fill the city with those who love mu- sic. or want to visit Birmingham. Have the prices of admission made low. Popu- lar prices and low rates will bring peo- pie out in crowds to see and hear, and give many a laboring man chance to hear the God-given boon and cheer of good music.
 An Auditorium.
 Now, as to a place, and this is a most important point, where we could prop erly care for such audiences as would naturally pour out to see these great mu- sical gatherings. If no other provisions could be made the opera house can be utilized, though 1t is too small.
 But, and this is the second matter I desire most earnestly to present for your consideration Birmingham needs an au- ditorium and needs it badly We need and must have a large assembly hall, which can be warmed in winter and ven- tilated in summer. You know that the wigwam has been torn down. I would suggest that such a building be con structed of wood and iron, one story in height with wide gallery extending all around it. It should be large enough to seat from 4000 to 5000 people. and the stage large enough to accommodate at least 800 performers. Have many wide doors arranged so as to empty the build- ing in at least three minutes. Have a space of, say 10 feet in width, on the sides under the gallery set apart for arrang- ing a permanent exhibit of the resources of this district. ss
 I venture to suggest that such build5 ing can be put upon leased land, at some central point in the city. for somewhere about $10,000 and would be a paying in- vestment from the start, directly as well as rather more indirectly.
 Birmingham is near the center of the state, has a splendid railway connection with all parts of the world. has excellent hotels and restaurants and miles of mo- tor and electric street railways in all di- rections, as well as miles of splendid pike roads free from all tolls. We should secure nearly every big gathering and convention in the state and many from the outside, such as political conventions. music festivals. annual public school ex- hibitions-in fact, the auditorium, in my
 Goods.