The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-06-07
WILL CONSIDER
AN AUDITORIUM
SAVANNAH NEEDS BUILDING.
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INTERESTS
TO CONSIDER NATTER.

Chairman Believes He Has n Per-
fectIy Feasible PrOpositiOn-COn-
templates City Donating Ground,
Presumably from Colonial Park.
1t Is Estimated That $25, 900 VIII
Be Needed for Building, Which
VIII Seat 5000 People.
On Wednesday afternoon the Com
mittee on Public interests of the
Chamber of Commerce, will hold an
other meeting to consider the question
of the building of an auditorium for
Savannah. Mr.. Sig. Gardner is chair
man of the committee.
The first meeting was held Thurs
day, May %, and a second meeting was
scheduled for the following Thursday
but owing to the absence of gentle
men whom it was desired to have at
the meeting, the matter was postponed
Among those invited to meet with the
committee are Col. ]. H. Estill, Mayor
Herman Myers, Mr.. George w. Tiede-
man, Mr.. ]. P. Williams, Mr.. George
]. Baldwin and Mr.. F. c. Battey.
So far the prevailing opinion is that
the city should be asked to donate a
portion of Colonial Park as site for
the auditorium. A stock company has
been suggested as the best way to Sc
cure the money necessary to erect the
building.
1t is estimated that by the expendi
ture of 900 on such a building an
auditorium capable of seating 5000 peo-
pie can be provided. If it is found
necessary to purchase the ground the
members of the committee fear that
the case is hopeless.
Colonial Park an Ideal Site.
That the site in Colonial Park is an
ideal one, all things considered, is con-
coded by every member of the commit
tee, and by the city officials as we'll.
At the meeting it is probable that the
matter will be handed up to City Coun-
Gil to say whether there shall be an au-
| ditorium built With the accomoda-
tions which would be afforded, Savan-
nah would be able to reach many con-
ventions and large gatherings which at
| present go elsewhere.
Where will Savannah accommodate
| the crowd? is a question which is asked
| by the competitors of this city, and.
often with killing effect" said bust
ness man in discussing the matter.
| Provided with such a magnificent
| building as is proposed the representa-
| tives of Savannah would have a strong
| argument for every convention. Other
| cities have auditoriumS of greater or
| less capacity and there is every reason
| why Savannah should not stay in the
rear of the procession.
Then, too, it is expected that those
who put up their money will not be en-
| tirely unremunerated. Each season
| there are a number of attractions which
would be glad to get such a building.
And this number would be still further
| increased were attention directed to Sa-
vannah as having such advantages in
| the way of an auditorium.
MIR. Gardner Has az Plan.
Il have a plan to present which 1
| believe will be just the thing" said Mr..
Gardner yesterday. Il will present
! this plan to the meeting to be held
| Wednesday afternoon. 1t seems to me
| to be entirely feasible and will enable
| us to build an auditorium. OF course
l am figuring on the ground being do
| mated by the city. Colonial Park would
be a fine place and there is abundance
| of room for the building.
Just at present l do not care to
state what my plan is, as 1 prefer to
spring it myself when the committee
meets. There may be flaws in the plan,
but 1 don't see them. The way it looks
to me is that an auditorium can be
built by using the method referred to-"