Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-11-15
PLANS FOR THEATRE.
A $4,000 Modern Building i:
Proposed for Rock ISL
and.
CLUB COMMITTEE MAKES REPORT

and VIII Go Ahead With Operations il
He Receives Necessary Public Support
w, uId Erect First-CIass Play
House.
Rock Islands new opera house pro-
lect is taking a tangible form. As
heretofore referred to in The ARGUS.
movement has been on foot for
months, and it has progressed to that
point now where it only remains for
the public to approve the conclusions
of the Rock Island Club committee in
order to secure one of the finest thea
tres in Illinois. The committee, j. j.
La VeIIe, S. S. Davis, Z. w. Hurst,
Louis Kohn and DR.. r. NJ. Pearce,
made its report at the mem bership
meeting of the Rock Island Club as
follows last night:
Your committee on the construc-
ton of a new opera house respectfully
report as follows, to-wit: We have
fully investigated the necessity for the
building of new opera house in this
city and find that such a building is
greatly needed. II should be built on
the ground floor, and on the most APP
proved modern plan, and equipped
with every modern convenience neces-
sary TO its successful operation. We
further find that n large number of
cities of the approximate population
of this. city are now building or have
recently built new theatres of the
character named, abandoning the old
fashioned second story places for new
first floor modern ones. The people
of this city have for long time been
substantially deprived of all first-class
theatrical entertainments for the rea-
son that we have no place to properly
accommodate such entertainments or
to invite the people into or accommo-
date them when there. Ii the people
of this city are to have these privi-
leges at home we must build a new
opera house. 1t has been for a long
time source of annoyance and hui
initiation to be compelled to go to
some neigh boring city to enjoy at
all the higher class of theatrical en-
tertainments.
But One Plan.
As to the way and how to procure
such a building we further find that,
IN nearly every instance of the build
ing of new theatres in cities of the
size of Rock Island, one plan and only
one plan has been followed, in the in
iation of the scheme to build, and
that is that an advance sale of tickets
to the opening entertainment to sub
stantially the full seating capacity OF
the house shall be first made and as
sured. If such sale is made, then a
contractor will bind him self to build
a theatre of the cost and character
proposed by him. This we believe is
the only way we can hope to secure
such a building in the near future.
1t is the plan adopted by our neigh
boring cities of Kewanee, Lincoln,
Freeport. Muscatine and others, and
upon inquiry we find that the thea
tres built in this way have given uni
form satisfaction.
Looking, then, to this method of
procedure as the only way within
our reach to procure such building,
we further report that we have con-
sidered the plans and offers of several
professional theatre builders. aud
have come to the conclusion that the
offer of q. II. Johnston, herewith sub
mitted, is the best and surest way of
getting such building as we desire
and that shall become an ornament to
the city, and at the same time COM
plete and up-to-date theatre.
We further report that we have in
quired into the character of the build
ings built by Mr.. Johnston, his good
faith in making contracts and his abil-
ity and honesty in carrying them out,
and do not hesitate to recommend
that his proposal to build an opera
house in this city be accepted and APP
proved by this club, and that the adj
vance sale of tickets to be made by
him for such purpose receive the
hearty endorsement and cooperation
of the members hereof. Respectfully
submitted"
Mr.. Johnston's Proposition.
Mr.. Johnston's proposition is as
follows:
IF the citizens of Rock Island will
purchase the seating capacity of 4 new
theatre-for the first performance
at $40 per seat, private boxes 800, |
will build a theatre building and equip
the theatre building in a modern and
up-to-date manner. said theatre build
ing and equipment TO cost not less
than $50, 900, said theatre to be in a
good clean locality, free from objec-
tionable features, of course. / would
expect the influence and aid of the
Rock Island Club in making the sale
of seats. Work will commence Just
as soon rs the list for sale of seats is
closed
The committees report was re-
ceived and Secretary Stafford in
structed to invite Promoter Johnston
TO be present at another meeting of
the club, to be called at an early date,
and explain his plans in detail.
Plans of the Theatre.
The theatre that is proposed for
Rock Island has a seating capacity of
900. 1t is modern in every respect,
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