The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-29
ITS COST 10000.
Architect Hadley Makes Esti-
mates For an Auditorium.
Says That a Building to Seat
5000 People
WOULD COST $4,000.
C. J. Prescott Shows Commend
able Public Spirit.
Willing to Give Outright AL
though Not a Rich Man.


Architect H. NJ. Hadley says that an
auditorium 400 feet by 200 feet, with a
capacity of seating 1000 people. fire
proof. can be built in Topeka for $50, OOO
He says that building $50 feet square
that will seat 5000 people. and built in
the same manner, may be built at an
estimated cost of $4,000
Mr.. Hadley has been making a study
of the auditorium question and he is
satisfied that a creditable building may
be built, equipped with thorough heat
ing facilities, for the amount named.
Many people think that the heating of
so large a building would be a difficult
problem, but Mr.. Hadley said in dis
cusSing the matter:
There would be no trouble to heat
such a building. There would be only
the air enclosed in the room to heat
and il would make no difference whether
it were enclosed on three or four floors
or on but one floor.
An auditorium should be built con-
tinued Mr. HadIey, with exits on all
sides, so that the doors could be thrown
open and the building empticd without
crush. 1 had not though of putting
a gallery in, but of course that could
be done with little trouble. The ac-
cOuStic properties of 50 large a build
ing would be an important thing. That
would require careful study, but it
could be arranged.
4 will look into this matter and try
to study out something more definite"
c. j. Prescott of Prescott & Co. is very
much in favor of an auditorium and
he is willing to support his opinion con-
corning the project in substantial
way.
Il would be willing" said Mr. Pres
colt to Journal reporter, ito give $500
or $500 out of my own pocket toward an
auditorium. I would give at least $500.
OF course L would expect no direct re-
turn from the donation, and those who
give could not expect to have dividends
declared soon, but everyone in the city
would receive the benefit directly, and
whatever helps a city helps the people
who live in the city.
Topeka needs an auditorium, and
we should have had one long ago. There
are rich men in the city who should
have the interest of the town at heart
enough to build a good auditorium. but
I do not suppose they would give the
necessary funds. If some rich man
would subscribe So 900 or Sc, 900 to start
the thing, it would take like wild fire
and believe it would not be long until
the money necessary could be raised.
Some one has to start the ball to
rolling. There never has been con-
certed action on the part of any body
of men to build an auditorium. If the
Commercial club would take hold of the
matter, L believe they could make it go.
Some one has to be at the head of the
movement. Nothing can be done with
out leader, and when the right man
arises, we will have an auditorium"
Mr.. Prescott does not believe in a
cheap building. He thinks that one
should be built for all time and should
be made large enough to accommodate
the crowds that come to Topeka in 80
years.
1T would be a great mistake said
Mr.. Prescott, Ito put up a cheap build
towns. When an auditorium is built it
should be a permanent building and
should be an ornament to the city as
we'll a place for holding large meet
ings.
Topeka needs an auditorium, and 1
hope that this movement will give some
satisfactory results. Not month pass
es that would not find many uses for
an auditorium. 1t is the great need
of the city now, and no time should be
lost to build one
The great crowds at the Pure Food
Show at Hamilton hall this week have
opened the eyes of many people who
have thought that Hamilton hall might
be made large enough to accommodate
the largest gathering, but none have
suffered by the want of space so much
as the exhibitors.
Mr. A l.. Baker of the Hutchinson
Salt company, in talking to a Journal
reporter about the crowds at the expo
sition, said:
Il have no complaint to make about
my treatment here, and think we have
been treated very we'll. It has been
has been taken, but the crowds could
not be accommodated
TT is great surprise to me that To-
peka has no auditorium or building
| where a large crowd may be taken care
| of The crush here has been terrible
| at times and the hall is entirely made
| quate for a show of this kind, or, for
| that matter, any very large gathering.
The people of Topeka should realize
| now, if they ever will, that audito-
| rum is a necessity. 1t seems to me that
| in a city the size of this there ought to
| be but little difficulty in putting up a
! building that would accommodate large
| gatherings 1 understand that there
| are more state meetings in Topeka than
anywhere else in the state, and some
| thing should be done to accommodate
| the people who come to attend the
| meetings.
This hall is altogether too small for
| a show like this, and before you have
| another you should see that a building
| much larger is built. Topeka should
| not neglect so important project