The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-05
THEY WANT AN AUDITORIUM.
LEADING CITIZENS THINK SUCH A
BUILDING is NEEDED.

fer Attractions Tor winter meet
ings-PoIiticaI, Religious and Mu-
steal Meetings Require Larger
Buildings Than Can BE Secured.
There is considerable talk of an audito-
however. Several years ago a movement
was started with a view to building an
auditorium on a large scale. It was never
carried to completion and since then little
has been heard of the matter until recent
ly. There has been a revival within the
last few days of the talk along this line,
and the matter may be taken hold of in
way that will carry it to a successful ter
minaton.
An enterprising Georgia city has just
completed an auditorium. 1t is a place
far smaller than Savannah, and If use for
one can be found there it would seem that
one here is in far greater demand. Large
assemblies can be accommodated in audi
toriums. They are constructed with this
particular object in view, and associations
and societies of large membership can only
be induced to hold conventionssin a city
for their meetings.
Supt. Otis Ashmore was asked yester
day for an expression of his opinion upon
the need of an auditorium in Savannah.
II regard an auditorium as an essential
for a city, he said, "that expects to do
anything in the way of securing the con-
ventions from time to time of the large
bodies that hold periodical meetings. "a
vannah is especially adapted for such
conventions when they are to be held in
the winter, and there is no reason why
they could not be secured if a place of
sufficient size for the accommodation of
the delegates were had.
Considered in a pecuniary way apart
from whatever means of revenue it might
prove for those financially interested in it,
an auditorium large enough to accommo-
date several thousand people would be a
great aid to the city. Many of the organ
izations that meet annually or bennially
are made up of delegates running up into
the thousands. Each of these always
spends considerable sum where the con-
ventions are held, and hotels and board
ing houses are benefited, while trade gem
orally is given an impetus and a stimulus
is felt some time. AS an instance of what
may be expected from a convention of
| one of the largest associations l may
! specify the National Educational Asso-
citation. In this there is a membership
of between 1900 and 10000, while the
| attendance upon the conventions always
| reaches as high 10000. At a low cal
culation each of these attending mem
bers spend $40 in a city, Thus, 100000
is spent in few days.
| Il should think the railroads would be
interested in the building of an auditorium.
The railroad fare of the delegates is the
| greatest expense in connection with q
convention of the character L have men,
toned. For each delegate the fare easily
| averages 800 as, though they travel at a
| reduced rate, they come from all over tie
! country, every state in the Union being
represented. When $4,000 is in it for them
whenever such a convention is held here
/ should think the roads would be will
| ling to subscribe literally toward the cree
ton of an auditorium. OF course, the To-
| cal lines would not get all of this sum, but
they would get their share.
"Cities all over the country of the size
of Savannah are building auditoriums.
| They appreciate the need of them and find
| them of great use when it comes to secur-
| ing big. conventions. The first question
that comes up when an organization is in
vited to meet at city is about the ac-
eommodations. If a large and convenient
auditorium is offered the first point is
gained. l could never hope to bring the
National Educational Association here.
! just as members of other large organiza-
tons could never expect to get them to
come, as long as suitable and adequate
! place of accommodation cannot be offer
ed. l might reasonably hope to get the
Department of Superintendent of the as
ISOLATION, with its membership of some
| 700, but even then Il would be much better
if could extend the use of an auditorium
with the invitation, This convention Is
held in the winter. The theater might be
available at the time, and it might not. II
would not do to take chances and then
find, after having secured the convention,
It could not be accommodated.
MY interest in the matter is purely that
| of citizen who desires to see the proper
thing done for the welfare and advance
ment of the city. l am convinced that
an auditorium would help Savannah In
many ways. 1t would be a great means
of advertisement after those who attend
| conventions return to their homes OF
course, those associations and societies
that meet in the summer could not well
be asked to come to Savannah, as they al
ways go North or West, but this city af-
fords advantages that should secure con-
ventions in the winter. With an audlto-
rum, a strong fight for meetings could
be made by Savannah delegates to winter
conventions
Mr.. Ashmore thinks the location of on
auditorium In Savannah should be central
in the residence portion.
The suggestion of the government prop
erty al York and Abercorn streets as a
suitable site far an auditorium has been
made. The city might, secure it from the
government and erect a handsome struc-
ture. Chattanooga erected last year a
handsome and commodius building the city
bearing all the expense. As a result a
far greater number of conventions are held
there than otherwise would be the case.
The government lot is a large one, 80 by
240 feet and the adjoining property might
be secured from private owners in case 1t
should be regarded as necessary for the
erection Of the building
~ various times there have been as
semblies, political, musical and religious.
in Savannah that have indicated the need
of larger meeting place than is afford
ed by any of the halls or churches. When
Rev. A. Nj. Williams was pastor of 'Wes-
ley Monumental Church he Negotiated
with Sam Jones to conduct a series of
meetings here. he found the greatest
obstacle in the absence of a suItahle
! meeting place He tried IN eyat N ~