The herald., 1897-08-01
LOS ANGELES AUDITORIUM

|
direction of the business of a private
citizen, intelligent enterprise, in provid-
ing for the wants of the public, Is the
keynote of prosperity. The vigorous
growth and upbuilding of the city of
Los Angeles, even through the years OF
recent and continuous business depres-
sion, when other cities Of the United
States remained in statu quo or retro
the public spirit Of its municipal Off
GERS and the shrewd,, far-seeing enter
prise of it's capitalists and other citizens.
A city is as a rule fair reflex of its
people. They, mutatis mutandis, make
or mar its fortunes and Los Angeles
is to be congratulated in having a rep
7 esentative wide-awake, American COM
munity to guide it's destinies, to grasp
and avail themselves Of it's opportuni
ties. But, phenomenal as has been our
municipal development of late years, we
are only at the threshold Of our for
tunes-only in the callow days of our
city life.
The Herald conscientiously believes.
looking solely to the facts of the case
and without the remotest tincture of
prejudice or prepoesession, that there
exists today in the United States no city
whose outlook and future are brighter
than those of Los Angeles. To realize
the splendid future which the present
status of Los Angeles forecasts must be
the work of our own hands and brains
and hearts. And we cannot commence
too soon. OF course the city cannot
spring in full panoply, like Minerva
from the head of Zeus, but with modern
methods we need not wait a cycle to
largely realize that municipal promi-
nence which we are sure sooner or later
to attain Not so much as a manufac-
turing center, nor yet as the central
point of distribution of commercial and
agricultural products-in both of which
we control potential and ever multiply
Of delightful residence, a social point
d'appui, city toward which cultivated
men and women everywhere will look
somewhat in the spirit that the devout
followers of the prophet look toward the
city of Mecca. Los Angeles to be sure
attracts these already, but we want them
in larger proportion and continuously
rather than spasmodically.
Tho 10 o1ir, ta ic o1
round affair. We have no pet season of
special atmospheric or climatic salubri-
BUSINESS. Midsummer or midwinter,
spring or autumn, the student of china
man existence varying here only in at
tractiveness. There are no deep con-
trasts, no melancholy days" to offset
the charm of sunshine and breezy
cific coast temperature. In simple truth,
though much has been said, there has
not been any "slop-over" in the univer-
sal eulogizing of 'the glorious climate"
of California. The scenic environment
of Los Angeles-what tourist or edu-
Gated native son looks upon it but to
carry with him wherever he goes mem
cries of it's charms? All this. however,
goes without saying. We have combined,
but it is expedient, that upon larger
scale, we of Los Angeles must still more
combine the useful with the beautiful
in the upbuilding of our city.
We should have, for instance, means
here of accommodating large masses
of men and women in convention as
sembled. The suggestion is by 10 means
new, but it is none the less imperative.
Los Angeles should build the most ca
pacious and best equipped auditorium
not only in the United States, but in the
world. 1t should be modern and up-to-
date in all its appointments. 1t ehould
comfortably house from $4,000 to 80 900
persons, the main audience chamber
seating at least 10000 people. Such a
structure, combined with the other nu-
merous and conceded attractions of Los
Angeles, as convention city, would
leave us without rival in this particular
in the United States. 1t would be n
waste of time to discuss the ways and
means incident to the construction of
such a public improvement. The capt.
tai is here, the architectural talent and
skill are here; the soundness of the en-
| terprise as money investment must
needs force itself to the front, and it is
only needed that business men give the
matter serious attention to make the
great auditorium an accomplished fact
| Great, did we say? The Colosseum,
begun by Vespasian and finished by
Titus, in the eightieth year of our era
| 1917 years ago-covered five acres of
land and was capable of containing
81, 900 spectators. Gladiatorial combats
and fights Of wild beasts were then fads.
The people demanded them. Such a
structure as the ampllitheater just men
toned did much to give ancient Rome
the prosperity she enjoyed during the
first century of our era. Public men
catered to the popular taste. Enterpris-
ing Roman citizens. upon grounds of
commercial policy, backed the Emperors
Vespasian and Titus in the concept of