The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-11
FOR THE AUDITORIUM.
Commercial Club Takes Hold of
the Matter
With a Villa It's Last Nights
Meeting.
Steps to be Taken to Secure the $1O,-
600 of the Coal Hole Money-To
be Submitted to Popular
Election.

Topeka's auditorium is assured. A
large building where great assemblages
can be sheltered for public meetings
will be built and that not so far off. The
Topeka Commercial club has taken the
matter in hand in good earnest and a
special committee appointed at last
nights meeting will work for a bill to
be introduced in the Kansas legislature
turning the coal hole fund into fund
for the erection of an auditorium.
This same committee will also pre-
sent the matter before the city council
ana ask that the matter be put before
the people of Topeka in the shape of
vote for the transference of the fund
from the old coal hole to the new audi
torium.
Mr.. Samuel T. Howe, of the Com
rnercial club last evening introduced the
following resolution before the club
which was unanimously adopted:
Recognizing the necessity for the
construction of an auditorium at To-
peka, and believing that the citizens of
Topeka generally would favor such an
enterprise, and believing, further, that
the cost of such an undertaking would
be greater than private citizens would
wish to assume and that therefore the
city at large should assist in prosecut-
ing the same, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the COMMERCIAL club,
in order to inaugurate a movement in
the proper direction, respectfully asks
the mayor and council of the city to re-
quest the representatives of the city in
the legislature that they introduce in
the legislature and have passed, if pos
sible, an act authorizing the mayor and
council to appropriate toward the con-
struction of an auditorium the amount
of money in what is known as the coal
hole fund provided the same shall be
authorized by vote of the electors of
the city at the coming spring election -
Samuel T. Howe, Hal w. NeisWanSer
and A. w. Dana were elected as a steer
ing committee for the legislature and
city council These are three of the
most energetic members of the Com
nercial club and they represent varied
interests in the city which will add
strength to their action.
Mr.. Neiswanger was present at the
meeting and he explained his plan for
the raising the necessary money for the
building. He would have public spiri-
ted citizens subscribe to the fund and
issue bonds These bonds would be paid
when due by the rent from certain por-
lions of the building for offices, and
possibly city offices such as a council
| chamber and fire department head
quarters. The rent of the auditorium
for private entertainments and the in
come derived from the private offices
would be turned into a fund which would
be invested in savings bank and when
the bonds would fall due this sum could
| be used in payment.
This plan was discussed and Sugges-
! tions made. Mr.. Neiswanger says he
L
I for the purchase of bonds. There is lit
| tie doubt that money invested in this
project would yield a good return some
| time in the future. There are undOubt-
| edly many citizens of Topeka who will
! come to the front now that the auditor
/ ium is an assured thing and offer tneil
| subscriptions for the bonds
| In regard to the style of building the
members of the Commercial club had
| different ideas. Chas p Adams thoughi
it should be 150x2oO feet. He stated
! that he thought it should be made as
| large as possible, so that it could ac-
| cOmmodate anything which may come
! to Topeka. This wouldn't be a foot
| too big in case a pure food show or q
| horse show We're given.
| Most of the members seemed to agree
| on the size being $50 feet square. Arch
/ fleet L. NJ. Wood stated that building
! $50 feet square would seat $500, ano
that if a fifteen foot gallery was built
! in it the seating capacity would be in
| creased to over 5000. Pictures of au-
| ditoriums at points in the east were
exhibited. Most of them had a floor
seating slanting from the walls to the
stage This idea was not popular with
the members, for they considered that
in case of a gathering such as the food
| show or some other kind of fair the
floor would have to be level.
The location was discussed somewhat
although at this time the main point
of endeavor is the securing of the funds
| in the proper way and amount.
Hal w. NeiSWaDger suggested the
! lots on the northeast corner of Seventh
! and jackson streets. These lots are
; sufficiently large for the building OF
the auditorium and it is thought that
/ they can be bought out for a fair price
( They have a facing of 175 feet on Sew
enth street and 125 on Jackson street
/ This gives an area of q. S75 square feet
about the same as that Of lots Isl
feet square.
The location suggested in last even
ingss Journal of the lots just south OF
Fourth street on the west side of Quin-
cy was discussed, but the members die
not favor it much, as it was considered
a little too far from the central par
( of the business district.
But little trouble will be experienced
in finding a location for the audito
! rum when the time comes. The build
ing is the point at issue now and the
Commercial club has done much for th'
project in taking hold of it. Topeka
auditorium will be built. No public
spirited citizen opposes it, and thu
/ money will be forthcoming
Santa Fe Route the Home Road
Special train Sunday, Feb. 18th, from
Strong City for Sa1ina-Grand Lodge
Leaves Topeka 12:o5 noon. One fare 70