The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-11
PEOPLES PALACE IDEA GROWS
PLAN LIKE THE TOWN MEETING
or NEW ENGLAND.
An Organizing Committee OF E'sht AP
pointed TO Take Charge OF the Move
ment-Men known for Their ruo"c
Shirt Speak in Favor OF the scheme.


Prof. Charles Sprague Smiths plan for
PEOPLES Palace, which he announced Tor
the first time at a meeting OF the feopie
Institute week ago, was formally lauhcheo
last evening at meeting arranged LOT inc
pirpose in Cooper Union AT which a num-
her of men known for their public spirited
ness spoke in support Of the scheme, Among
tho sneakers we're ". II. Baldwin, Jr',
DIR. #. r. Slicer, Frederick W. Hinri chs,
DIR. Joseph Silverman. John s. eros by,
Prof. W. ID. Clark of Columbia and Frank
Damrosch.
The idea was advanced by one of the
speakers and taken up by the others that IN
such place meetings could be held OF
kind closely resembling the town meetings
OF New England and that therein its great
value would lie. This seemed TO take with
the audience. too, which 1ppauded heartily
Prof Smith at the beginning OF the as
cussion, said that it was for the people VINO
wanted such great institution to lay the
first stone, and added that if he were to re-
ceive a check for Sl5oOO0O0 at this time
he would refuse it because he believed that
at least part OF the cost should first be raised
by the people.
up in New England, he knew the good et-
fects of the town meetings there, and added;
In the report of the Committee OF FIJI
teen We expressed the hope that the city
would provide town halls in every part
where the people could get together face
to face and discuss questions OF common
interest. No matter what the question Is
there are always two distinct sides. If we
hor aDl look each other IN the
eyes then we can't fool each other. That s
the important thing.
Il don't see how we can accomplish what
we desire by depending on the newspapers
R in haTp e. s fneenss al hsse
separate town halls in districts and by hav7
ing, in addition, one great central forum
All Of us may have different ideas. but in
our hearts We have all got one central pur.,
pose to benefit ourselves, our families and
our country and in no better way can this
be done than by having place where we
can meet and talk il over together
Frederick w. Hinrichs said that by hay.
ing such an institution the people could
demand that those holding pubic onices
come forward and be QUESTION: as at the
town meeting
As long as the town meeting idea is
recognized throughout this country, SAID
he. so long will we have a school for edu-
eating those who come here TO our inst'tu-
JlCDb anu 81 lSIk VIII Wi iAios'N'S''''S ~
safe and perpetuated.'
DR.. Slicer spoke in favor of the town
meeting idea and also advocated an inter
municipal league, the same thing as Prof.
Smiths civic parliament, TO clear the
peoples mind Of fog
Dir. Svermar suggested that the first
work undertaken by the Peoples Palace
he the teaching TO the people the words OF
America" the second verse OF when the
big audience had lust tried to sing and failed
miserably. DR.. Slverman said Peoples
Palace was needed in order to promote the
right kind Of culture He said
There is too much attention being paid
to athletics to-day and the boxing rage Is
one of the grea, est evils of our age. We do
not need so much OF that which our colleges
are laying too much stress upon--physicai
culture Neither do we need the so-caled
ethical culture which has produced more
ingrates and greedy men and women than
has been produced by any other form OF
culture. You can t teach morals by giving
crude principles. What we need IL Gull
ture for the whole man
The suggestion was made that the pro-
posed palace be located farther uptown TO
be more central for the whole city. a
collection was taken up as beginning ana
an organizing committee or eight was APP
pointed to take charge of the movement
TO consist of Prof. Clark, DR.. Slicer.N. Everit
Macy, Robert Hunter. Frank Damrosch,
A. Ahrens, f. A. Moffett and Prof. Smith.
A number of letters were read from
Bishop Potter. Pr. Lyman Abbott. Or.
Rainsford and others approving OF the
sent That was from Golden Rule" Jones
Of Toledo He wrote he didn't like the
word palace" and said he hoped it would
he changed to "buildinR.