The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-06-02


ment-May Include Large Au-
ditOrium.
st. Paul will, in all probability, have q
new armory building before snow files
Adjt. Gen. Lambert is corresponding with
national guard officials in other states
with view to getting suggestions from
experts that may be embodied in the de-
sign Of the proposed new building.
Largely through the influence of Cen
eral Lambert a bill was passed by the
last legislature authorizing cities to lease
for term Of fifteen years armories for
their national guard troops, In lieu of the
old law which called for a renewal of the
lease every year.
This was In line with general plan Of
the armory association of this city to Sc
cure the erection of a new building, as
several St. Paul moneyed men have sig
nified their willingness to build fine new
building, if the city would bond itself to
lease for fifteen years
The general idea, as told in the G l o b
Sunday, Is to acquire the two adjoining
lots on either side of the present build
ing and build on the Sixth street site. AS
the Market hall is practically gone, as far
as any hall for public gatherings is con-
cerned, and the Auditorium is only a
temporary structure, it is believed by
Adjt. Gen. Lambert, Gen. Bend and the
officers of the armory association, that
the new armory building should answer
the tWo-fold purpose of an armory and a
public auditorium, to say nothing of the
gymnasium and the indoor rifle range,
Il
which will be included among the strong
features of the new structure.
The proposition to utilize a portion of
the old structure in the old building is
not looked upon with favor and it is al
together likely that the present building
will be torn down in it's entirety and
fine new brick and stone building put up.
The building would be made large
enough to give ample accommodations to
six companies, as well as serving the
purpose of a regimental headquarters.
AS soon as the armory association Is
able to free itself of the debt of $500,
arrangements will be made for the i'm
mediate construction of the building. If
the present rental paid for the old build
ing is paid for the new it will give a re-
turn to the investors Of a little over
per cent on 100000, besides being exempt
from all taxes and special assessments.
The state law eXempts national guard
armories from taxation, which is an i'm
portant factor. The armory association
is figuring with several gentlemen who
have money that they wish to profitably
invest. and although it will be necessary
to raise the debt, and acquire the two lots
referred to before the building can be
completed, it Is regarded as certain that
definite plans will be made within a few
weeks. The necessary funds will be
raised by individual subscription.
1t was thought at first that a new ar
mory might be completed in time for the
return of the Thirteenth regiment, but
the magnitude Of the enterprise is such
that it cannot be swung in a day. 1t Is
building will be ready for occupancy by
the time the boys of the Thirteenth are
ready to go back into the guard again, If
they so decide, and there is every reason
to believe that they will.
Adjt. Gen. Lambert yesterday received,
plans of Chicago armory which cost
$250,000. The building is intended to ac-
commodate one full regiment of infantry,
and is one Of the finest armories of it's
kind in the country. While one:half as
large will do ample justice to the needs
Of ST. Paul, many of the general ideas
will be carried out in the new building.
Each company is given separate squad
and company room. and rifle range for
use during the winter. All the companies
use in general the gymnasium, which is
a model of its kind. Every other detail of
the building is planned with the greatest
care. yet in utmost simplicity,
Gen. Lambert gave 1t as his opinion
yesterday that the proposed new building
would be complete by fall.