The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-18
ANDERSON TO RESIGN
Unless Something is Done by
the Auditorium ASsOcia-
ton at Once.

The question OF choice for the 1oca-
ton of the auditorium will probably be
opened afresh by the communication
submitted to the Commercial club at
the meeting Tuesday night by Judge
Horton, suggesting the purchase OF the
Hamilton hall property.
The suggestion appeals favorably to
some of the members of the Auditorium
association, while to others it is Who'll
ly unfavorable. Among the former are
President T. J. Anderson of the Audi
torium association and Mr.. J. P. Davis,
chairman of the special committee ap-
pointed by the Commercial club to look
into the matter and report to the as
ISOLATION. Among the latter is Mr.. Ed
ward Wilder, who has probably been
the most prominent figure in the audi
forum agitation since it started.
The Hamilton hall property was ap-
praised by Mr.. c. o. Knowles, Mr. A.
L. Daniels and Mr.. w. S. Charles, who
fixed the valuation at $25, 900. Mr.. T.
H. Lescher, the architect who prepared
the plans for the building when it was
built, has submitted to President An
dersOn estimates of the changes needed
to turn the hall into auditorium cap
able of seating between 1000 and 4,5O0
people, which place the expense at not
over $4,000.
There is not a better built building
in Shawnee county, said Mr.. Lescher
today in speaking of the property. 1.-The
walls are more substantial than the
walls of any other building in this city;
and by extending the hall to the north
wall and placing a gallery at the west
END seating capacity of nearly 4 800
could be obtained. Exits could be so
arranged that there would practically
be no danger in the event of a fire, and
by using the second story alone for the
auditorium a good monthly income
Xx-n1 hn 6aT~iN Prov h. 80
the first floor
In his communication to the CONNER
cial club Judge Horton stated that the
property would be sold at auction on
June 26, and that the amount of the
mortgage was $4,000. He said that the
property could be secured by the pay
ment of $4,000, and that easy terms
could be made for the payment of the
balance.
A meeting of the special committee
appointed by the Commercial club to
consider the proposition has been called
for next Monday, and a meeting of the
Auditorium association for next Tues
day evening. The special committee is
composed of Mr.. J. P. Davis, chairman,
Mr.. Edward Wilder and Mr.. H. NJ.
Phillips. In reference to the matter
Mr.. Davis said today:
81 am inclined to favor the PROPOSE
ton, and it may prove to be the easiest
way of securing the auditorium. If by
changing the building a satisfactory
auditorium could be arranged on the
second floor, there would be a monthly
income from the stores on the first
floor, and this income would pay the
fire insurance and taxes, the wages of
a janitOr and probably the cost of the
coal for heating purposes. This to me
is an important feature. While it
would probably be better to have an
auditorium that opened on the ground /
floor, yet it maybe that exits could be
so arranged that there would be but
little or no danger in the event of fire.
Mr. Edward Wilder said of the pro-
position:
while I have not given this mat
it does not appeal to me in a very IA
vorable light. In my opinion the two
most important features in an auditor
ium are first to provide against danger
by providing plenty of exits that open
on the ground, and second,
to protect those farthest away from the
stage from noise 1t has been sug-
gested that an auditorium could be ar
ranged in the second story of the Ham
iltOn building, but personally I would
never vote for an auditorium on the
second floor. While there might be no
trouble for years, some day there might
be a fire and 1000 people could never
get out of the second story of building
without some fatal accidents. On any
paved street there is always consider
able noise, and the people farthest from
the stage. which would have to be |
placed in the east end of the hall. would
be continually annoyed. 1t would take |
money TO tear out the sec |
ond floor, and personally I would not |
consider the building for an auditorium |
only as a building of but one story"
The special committee will probably |
make no more definite report than to |
bring the matter before the attention !
of the Auditorium association Tuesday |
evening.
At this meeting President Anderson
will endeaVOr to infuSe new vigor into |
the work. He says that unless the /
members of the association turn out at |
this meeting and take hold of the work |
again with a will he will resign as pres |
dent of the association and retire from |
any connection with auditorium affairs. |
Today he is sending the following let
ter to each of the twenty-five directors
Of the association:
Dear Strive are going to make |
one more effort to secure a working
quorum of the board of directors of the
Topeka Auditorium association. We |
are incorporated under the laws of |
Kansas and cannot proceed legally |
the presence of thirteen direct
0rs. A meeting of the board is called |
for Tuesday evening, June 81, at |
o'clock at the Commercial club rooms.
We want your advice and active as
sistance in prosecuting the work. If
you find that you cannot serve, it is due /
70 the other members of the board and
10 the enterprise, that you tender your
in order that the vacancy
nay be lawfully filed. We hope that