The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-02-19
TO BUILD AN AUDITORIUM.
Meeting of Citizens at the Guards
Hall Tomorrow Night.

Hall Tomorrow Night.
An effort is 10 be made to organize the
citizens of Savannah for the purpose of
promoting various projects for the clty's
welfare and advancement. The main pro-
Ject now under consideration by those who
have begun the movement, is the build
ing OF an auditorium capable Of seating
several thousand people in order that Sa-
vaunah may hold out Inducements to large
bodies, religious political and otherwise
state or national, 10 hold conventions here.
The need of such a building, not only for
such purposes as those stated, but for the
use of the citizens themselves, has Tong
been recognized, and the subject has been
frequently mentioned without any active
steps being taken. however, to accomplish
the desired result
Circular letters were sent out last week
TO number of citizens, reading as fol-
lows:
Recognizing your usual readiness In re-
spending when the city's welfare is in
question. il has been decided, after can
vassing the matter informally, to ask you
10 meet with other leading citizens at
Guards hail, Company AS drlR room, 2Oth
inst, at $50 o'clock 9. IN. This meeting
Is purely informal, the object being to
consider the feasibility Of organizing an
association of sufficient strength. financial
~ and otherwise, 20 undertake several pro-
jects for the advancement of the good of
the city, and which seem 10 promise re-
munerative returns. The special business
for the meeting, however, viii be 10 dis
cuss the matter of building an auditorium.
such as can be seen in other important
cities,for the accommodation of large gath
erings OF people, such as national conven-
tons focal meetings etc. IL is unneces-
sary to state, but you should be sufficient
iy interested in Savannah to be willing TO
aid by your presence and advice any pro-
gramme or movement, and as this is mere
~ initiative, ii is 60 be hoped you will
attend. Kindly signify on enclosed (maIl
promptly, whether or not you viii be pres
eot"
The names of Messrs. b. A. Denmark. l.
G.. Haas, John Flannery, II. p. Smart, j.
II. Estill and NJ. j. SOlomons are attached
to this circular
This is not a move in behalf of any
particular interest" said Mr.. Solomons
yesterday. The gentlemen whose names
are attached TO the circular, and others
who are in sympathy with them, realize
that the time has come when concerted
effort is necessary upon the part of solid
citizens for the purpose of organizing new
enterprises, attracting outside capital and
aFouslng the activities and energies of our
own people in their own behalf and for
the good of the city. The auditorium is
only one Of the projects which will natu-
rally be brought before an organization
OF the character proposed In order to
keep pace with the times, we must keep
In touch with the outside world, and there
Is no surer means of doing so than by Sc
curing the assemblages of large bodies in
our city. Such assemblages not only
leave considerable money in the cities in
which their meetings are held but they
are invaluable in attracting attention TO
the city and advertising its advantages
Savannah now has no building large
enough to accommodate any unusual gath
ering of it's own citizens, and the accom-
mediation of any large general body is
simply out of the question. 1t IS for this
reason that we believe the erection of an
auditorium should be one of the first
things to which the proposed organization
should give its attention
Il believe that sufficient money can be
secured among our citizens for the cree
ton of such a building" said Mr.. Solo
mons. 1T would, of course not be a, spec
ulative enterprise. 1t would not be Under
taken as money-making scheme. but as
a public enterprise
Gould a sufficiently large site, conve-
niently situated, be secured for the loca-
ton of such structure?" Mr.. Solomons
was asked.
Such a location can be secured and one
that will be satisfactory in every respect, ="
he replied. In the erection of such a
building, not only must main hall or au-
ditorium be provided, but there must be
committee rooms and all necessary conve-
nences"
Mr.. Solomons said that, although the
movement is yet in its ncipiency, a very
encouraging interest had been shown, and
those who issued the call have reason to
expect a good attendance at the meeting.