The Topeka state journal., 1897-03-19
GET To WORK.
Topeka Must Be Up and Doing
Quickly
To Get the Auditorium Done
by Next Fall.
COM MERCIAL CLUB
Should Take Hold of the Work
of Raising
The Necessary $4,000 to Place
With the City's $4,000.

An effort is being made to offer the
city council as a donation for an audi
torium site ten lots in the Ritchie tract
at the northwest corner of Eleventh
street and Kansas avenue. Mrs. Ritchie
has already made an offer to sell the
lots for $4,000 and make a donation of
$4,000 back to the auditorium fund
which would make the price of the lots
SO, 600 or $500 each. Since the last meet
ings of the council Negotiations have
been opened with Mrs. Ritchie and an
effort is being made to have the lots
donated to the city for the use of an
auditorium.
The council did not consider the ques-
ton when the proposition was submit
ted last night because the members
prefer that the Commercial club act in
the matter and take all the decisive
steps. 1t is probable that when the or
dinance is passed at the next meeting
of the council the site will be made al
tentative SO that if a site more suitable
than the city park is donated the build
ing may be erected upon it. The same
objection to the city park. being away
from the business center would also ap-
ply to the Ritchie tract and it is doubt
full if the original plan would be chang
ed even if the ground were donated to
the city.
Councilman Skinner holds to his orig
inal pOsitOn-that the people of the
money than is absolutely necessary to
complete good, commodious. substan-
tial building. Councilman Skinner said
today that he is firmly of the opinion
that the building should be built in the
park and that the council should do
everything possible to encourage the
enterprise.
Councilman Nettels holds to his po-
sition concerning the inactivity of the
Commercial club and there is some
ground for what he says. He insists
that he is not unfavora BILE to the audi
tOrium proposition but thinks the mem
bers of the Commercial club should take
a more active interest in the matter
The Commercial club is looked to for
action The appointment of a commit
tee came from the club and the club
should have charge of the building of
the auditorium as suggested by Mayor
Fellows. 1t is directly in line with the
objects of the organization for nothing
could do the city more good than a good
substantial auditorium.
The auditorium bill has been publish
ed and is now a law. There is nothing
more to do except to submit the prop
osition and the ordinance will be passed
at the meeting of the council next Mon
day evening.
A. A. GODDARD of the Commercial club
suggested that the council should not
is necessary to conform to the bill. The
measure as it finally became a law
after having passed both houses twice
is as follows:
Section L The mayor and council of
any city of the first class having thirty
thousand inhabitants or more are here
by authorized to appropriate from the
general fund a sum not exceeding $1O,-
600 for the purpose of purchasing a site
or erecting a building, or both, for city
purposes. Provided, that moneys shall
not be appropriated for such purpose
until the proposition therefor, describ
ing the property to be purchased or
building to be erected shall have re-
ceived the approval of a majority of the
male voters voting at a general cleo
ton held in such city.
Section 2 The proposition for the
purchase of such site or the erection
of such building, or both, shall be in
cluded in the mayors prOclama ton for
the election, at which election the form
of ballots shall be: For the proposition
to appropriate money, and, Against the
proposition to vote money.
The Mail says in speaking of the
proposition to build the auditorium in
the city park:
"It seems to be the settled conviction
now that the new auditorium will have
to be located in the city park, where
the ground will cost nothing. This is
the proper place for the auditorium
anyway. Ventilation and light are
the chief requisites of such building
and this can be obtained in the city
park. In the summer it would be just
the place for holding Chautauqua meet
ings and musical festivals. The city
park is not large enough for park
proper but supplied with an auditori-
um and arranged for large gatherings,
it is the very thing needed by the city.
The Mail is for the auditorium in the
city park"
The State Journals belief is that of
all places offered the city park is the
most suitable, but the building should
not be put in the center of the park
where trees and grass plots would nave
i to be destroyed, the place for it is fac
/ ing the sidewalk on Kansas avenue, on
! the site of the present Pat Sherman
house The city council has already is
| sued orders for the removal of this
| house, and site $50 by $50 feet will be
| afforded there without destroying but
! turing the beauty of the park, for it
| must be admitted that there is no finer
| collection of large trees anywhere
around Topeka than those in the city
| park They should be preserved. When
| the new bridge is done, it will beauti-
| fy the entire region in that section of
! the city. A handsome drive running
| westward on the south bank of the riv-
er win eventually be laid out. follow
| ing the suggestion of Edward Wilder
| and others The auditorium, while it
/ may be built of wood, with a steel
| frame can at later date be incased
/ in pressed brick, an ornamental tower
| built on it, and be made part of a river
the west at least. We want all the
| money that can be raised to be put in
| to the building. Every cent will be
| needed. The people cannot afford to
! waste any money buying lots when they
| can have a site for nothing
| The COmenrcial club ought to take
up the task of raising the money nee
| essary. The Journal has not the least
doubt that the $4,000 can be raised by
| the fair proposed if not some other way.
| The Commercial club should appoint
! committees and see heads of local clubs
on this point as soon as possible, pro-