The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-03-11
FIRST STEP FOR
AUDITORIUM
For Building an Immense
Auditorium Here.
PLANS FOR RAISING MONEY
All Agreed That Site Shall be
South of City Building.
PLANS FOR RAISING MONEY

| eSterday, IN the Chamber or Com
/ merce rooms the first step toward build
I ing a large auditorium for Wichita, was
+ taken. This consisted OF discussion of
/ plans for the structure itself, it's extent,
! cost and location, and ways and means to
/ secure money for its construction.
Two committees were appointed, one
/ TO secure plans for building and esti-
mates of cost, and the other to CORES
pond with the postal authorities as to a
permissible method of advertising prizes
to be given away with copcert tickets,
as was successfully carried cut in the
building of Kansas City's auditorium
The first committee consists Of G. L.
| Davidson, Giles Smith and W. F. Schell.
The second committee consists of City
Attorney Helm, Orville Boyle, Victor
Murdoch, Whitney Tucker and James
Stuart.
IN the Informal discussion the opinion
as to the site was unanimous that the
building should be located between the
City building and the Hamilton hotel.
All were in favor of a substantial edi-
fee, brick in the main, with steel girded
roof. Some difference of opinion exists
as to the capacity. Some favor as high
as 5000 seats; others as low as 1900; while
a compromise suggested was the addi-
ton of a lobby to the 1000 seating capac-
ity.
The estimated cost of the building is
about $4,000. One of the projected plans
is to consolidate the downtown fire
houses in a new building, built in con-
junction with the Auditorium and as part
Of it. 1t is figured that it will take SIS. 900
TO furnish the auditorium itself. 1t is
to be under the management of the city,
and it was thought that it would bring
in an annual revenue TO the city Of s. 500.
The suggestion was made that within the
last year Wichita could have used
building of the extent proposed twenty
five times and with the inducements
that could be offered, it can be used the
year after it is constructed fifty-fIve
times in the twelve months In many
instances, star attractions, such as Pad
erewski, could be obtained, because the
building would admit Of the necessary
money guarantee. thing not possible in
Wichita at present. The matter OF the
annual commencement exercises, always
cramPed for room, state conventions.
large lodge gatherings, were also brought
up. It was predicted that with such a
building, Wichita would go into the horse
shows. livestock exhibits and musical
festival attractions. which are a part OF
the life Of most cities, but which are
barred from Wichita because of the lack
of a building which will accommodate
very large assemblages.
In detailing the advantages Of the en-
terprise President Davidson pointed out
the benefit great attractions are to the
retail business of the city. and asserted
that more attention should be paid to
this interest.
The Kansas City plan of giving prizes
with concert tickets, which is mentioned
here, consisted of selling tickets to
concert at twenty-five cents each. Each
purchaser Of a ticket was permitted to
guess on the total vote or a then pend
ing election in Ohio. The first prize was
several thousand dollars in cash. Other
prizes were numerous. pianos. furniture.
vehicles and articles of all kinds down
to the smallest items being offered by
merchants. Business concerns in Kan
sas City, in order TO help along the cause
bought large blocks of tickets and the
subscription was general over Missouri
and Kansas. IT IS said that $50 GO net
was raised in this way
Those present We're agreed that the new
auditorium would DE a go" and it is pur-
posed to push the matter theoretically
from this time forward.
The committees having the subject un-
der consideration represent the city and
the Chamber OF Commerce. Those pres
ent were Mayor Mclean, ]. +. Howard.
James H. Stuart, Giles Smith Whitney
Tucker, Victor Murdoch, w T. Schell, |
Orville Boyle and c. L. Davidson.