New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-09

h.
the form that to-day 1t wears. Walhalla Hall
has grown up with the East Side 1t is in the
very heart of the poorest section of the city. It's
managers, from the first of a long line have al
ways made It clear that they intended TO appeal
for support to the people OF the lower East Side,
and that the hall was to be devoted to their uses
and to theirs alone And Walhalla Hall seemed
SO we'll adapted to its purposes that it is small
wonder that it is now and has been for many
years regarded by the typical and native East
Slider as the centre around which all the good
things OF his life revolved
Walhalla Hall is the forum OF the East Side
Is there any question to be discussed that in
wolves the deares interests Of any considerable
proportion of any of the many nationalites that
inhabit the Bowery for things go by rationale
ties in the Bowery. their minds at turn
to Wahaa Hall. soon to be followed by their
feet. There is no need for the East slider to
wait for newspaper announcements Is there a
labor union to be formed? He knows we'll
enough where the matter will be discussed Is
there strike contemplated? He knows well
enough where the plans will be laid. and the com
mittees appointed. And If a victory follows the
strike, he knows we'll where the celebration
will be held. where the beer will be drunk and
where the band will play.
The curious thing about the hall is that in
all the course of its eventful existence it has
never been identified with the uses of any one
particular locality Other halls and theatres are
German and Jewish. and Chinese and Italian
and all the rest but Wahalla Hall has always
been for the whole great cosmopolitan East
Side Probably the only race i'm the vicinity
OF this great forum of the poor people some Of
them the most wrctched that the world mas
" hall
Hall with its New-York history is the Chinese;
but the Chinese proverbaliy clannish, partly
because they repealed by other races. and
partly because they repel other
Wahaa Hall u.s. as most New Workers know
in Orchard-st. just south of Grand-st. 1t is In
the centre Of one OF the most populous districts
in the city. Here and there all around 1t are
houses just condemned by the Board Of Health
unsafe for dwelling purposes. and doubt
less there more in the same neighborhood
that will go. 1t is six blocks from the
Bowery. and about halfway between that thor
oughfarc and the East River. It's location IS
as unique as its history. All around it there
TEEN with life buildings that to the stranger
within those streets seem fairly fetid and moi
some. At night the narrow streets themselves
are full from sidewalk to sidewalk with a mass
OF youthful humanity trying to get what lit
Up above the walks the windows and the fire.
escapes full OF women. Down below, the hot
air from the pavemcnts sways To and fro as the
crowd moves, and that is about the only breeze
that blows in a summer night in Orchard-st
Occasionally the crowd Of shouting children
makes wild rush to escape a flying fire engine
or patrol wagon Then they nll the street again
as before. until nearly midnight, when they
go up To sleep on the Horoscopes or on the roofs
Of the perspiring tencment-houses
These are the people Wahaa Hall appeals
to and serves Walhala Hall Is their Cooper
Union. And yet. in spite OF the fact that Wal
halla Hall Is known by that name all over this
metropolis and all over the country besides. the
present manager. Joseph Kempler. proposes to
change It's name. He wishes to call IL New
Prospect Hall and he has had some cards
printed bearing that legend, ana Is trying TO
educate the East Side IN to the new title The
chances are that Mr.. Kempler Will not succeed