The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-05-31
AUDIToRIUMS NOT COSTLY.
PLANS AND PRICES DISCUSSED By
BUSINESS MEN.

Last Nights Meeting at the Guards
ArmOry-LOt on Liberty street BE-
tween TaftnaII and Barnard Con-
sidered-Letters FROM Northern
Architects to Mr.. II. e. smart-Mr.
II. r. JohnsOn's Views About the
Building and LocatiOn-Another
Meeting VIII BE Held Next Tuesday
Night mt the Court House.
An auditorium for Savannah was again
under discussion last night. In response to
the can for a meeting. a number of gen
! tlemen met at the Guards armory, among
them Messrs. b. A. Denmark, H. 2. Smart,
| VI. J. Solomon, Otis Ashmore, William
Kehoe, T. f. Johnson, W. S. Tyson, Col.
J. H. Estin, Capt H. c. Cunningham and
| Capt. John r. Dillon. Mr.. Denmark pre-
sized
The sentiment was strongly in favor of
! the erection Of an auditorium. The build
ing would have to be available for theat-
| rical performances. For auditorium pur-
poses alone one gentleman sad it would
not make enough TO pay taxes and insur-
ance. In that view all concurred.
preliminary talk by the members of
the committee appointed at former meet
ing 10 look into the matter of available
sites and TO secure information as to what
sort of a building is needed, gave an .dea
of what can be done, after which the dis
cussion was general. In behalf of the COM
mittee, Mr. Denmark stated that an option
had been obtained on piece of property
100 by $50 feet on Liberty street, between
Barnard and Tattnall, and that several
other locations had been considered.
Mr.. Smart read a letter from a New
York architect Mr.. A. W. Fuller, which
gave considerable information in regard to
auditoriums he has built in the North.
From this it was possible to judge approx
imately what the capacity of buildings
erected on various locations that were sug-
gested would be.
Mr.. 7. f. johnson was asked to give the
meeting the benefit of his experience in the
theatrical business He was asked for an
estimate of what might be realized upon
an investment of approximately 100000.
as that IS the amount generally considered
necessary to buy a lot and build such an
auditorium as it is thought Savannah
should have. He made no calculation
along that line, but said there is no rea-
son why a new theater at Savannah
should not be gladly received into the
Klaw-Erlanger circuit and made to pay.
About 100 bookings a season are regarded
by Mr.. Johnson as what might be ex-
pected for the auditorium, but he did not
see where Il would be necessary TO spend
Il believe you gentlemen are mistaken In
your estimate as to the amount it VIII
take 10 put up fine theater," said Mr..
Johnson. There is not great deal of inz
terror work, and the popular idea that
drop curtains, scenery and the general
run of stage fixtures and settings are
costly is a mistaken one. Buy the lot on
which you want to build. and $4,000
should do the rest and give you as fine
q theater as you would want"
"What about the location on Liberty
street on the site named?" Mr.. Johnson
was asked.
II do not think so highly of it," he re-
piled 1T is not where the best crowds
could be got for performances. My idea
of the very best location in Savannah for
theater would be the property at the
corner of Bull and CASTOR streets. You
have more land in the lot on Liberty
street than you need for a theater.
building with a capacity of about 1850
seats end 400 overflow could be built easily
on less than 80 feet front and l65 feet
depth. That would give you room for
everything, proper stage at the rear,
foyer and the rest
Financial arrangements came in for
share of the discussion in a preliminary
awy Col. Estitl said it might be that an
auditorium open for theatricals would
make money, but that Savannah's need for
a place where large gatherings may be
held is such as to call for a show of pub
lie spirit in the undertaking. Some, he
said would go into the undertaking to
make money and others through desire
to benefit the city. Managed by those
who are in it for dividends, ne thought an
auditorium could be made TO pay.
Although there has been no formal con-
sideration for the financing of the under
taking it is thought there would be an
issue of stocks and bonds. 1t Us believed
q sufficient number of citizens could be
induced to subscribe $1,000 to 5000, and
that any deficit when such subscriptions
as are procurabie are in might be made
up by 800 investments. An advantage
was seen by one gentleman in Obtaining
all the 800 subscriptions possible as by
that means interest in the undertaking
would be more widely diffused.
On motion of Col. Estil 1t was agreed
| that the meeting should constitute an eX-
! ocutive committee for the proposed audi
! torium. To that committee also were
| added the members of the committee APP
| pointed at a former meeting who were not
| present The committee will take matters
| in hand and endeavor TO secure a represen-
| tative gathering at. meeting next Tues
| day night at the court house Cards will
| be sent out, and it is not doubted there
| viii be enough 10 show that there is gem
| era interest in the enterprise. Had it
! not been for the rain. it is believed there
| would have been more in attendance at
| the aTmory last night