The Saint Paul globe., 1905-04-30
IT CAN BE DONE

~ SrtiN De OONG
The auditorium project is getting
fair start. The idea of celebrating the
semi-centennial anniversary of the
city by raising funds necessary to this
great work is a good one. 1t is time
to give up the childish practice of COM
memorating events with parades and
banners and fireworks, and set about
the serious and manly task of building
up the city. 1t is not merely that a
given amount of money will be more
Judiciously expended, but the more i'm
portant thing is that the thoughts and
habits OF action of our people will be
turned into more profitable and worth
Ter channels.
Th G / o has heard many times
from various interested individuals the
remark that this was a poor time to
agitate for an auditorium. The reason
given was that the friends of the
Young Mems Christian association are
trying TO raise fund, that there are
other projects under way constituting
a drain upon the resources of our gen.
erous citizens, and that it was not wise
to have too many irons in the fire or
to besiege those willing to give until
they closed their purses out of very
WEAKNESS with such Importantly.
We do not agree with this view of
the case at all. The fact is that Civ
ing grows by giving. as niggardliness
or the feeling that public spirit re-
quires of the individual no sacrifices
quickly hardens into habit. There is
no community more hopeless than that
which admits that certain things
should be done. but refuses to put the
shoulder to the wheel; and salves its
shame by pretending that action will
be taken at a more convenient oppor-
tunity. The city of the future is the
city that does things and does them
today.
If we had no use for an auditorium
at all it would be an excellent thing for
st. Paul to build one. 1t would en-
courage that community of thought
and action out of which great things
come. 1t would make familiar the
idea that money spent in aid of
great public project is money we'll
spent. 1t would constitute a founda-
tion on which good works for the fu-
ture and for the advancement of st.
Paul might be securely built. Aside
from the practical argument the move
ment is thoroughly to be praised.
AS a matter OF fact. however. the
city does need an auditorium build
ing more than anything else at the
present time. Out of the many re-
quirements of st. Paul this is perhaps
the most imperative. Almost every
other city in the country of equal size
and pretension has so provided itself.
The city unfurnished with a place of
assembly for meetings on large scale
is at a disadvantage. More particular
ly is thlS true or st. Paul, since the
Minneapolis auditorium stands as a
constant reminder to the public of our
lack. 1t will not be easy to
raise the amount of money re-
quired. 1t is less easy because
of the failures of the past, and
because of the growth in this commu-
nifty of the habit of applauding worthy
public movements or institutions, while
refusing to them proper financial sup
port. For that very reason its success
Will mean more to the city than the
creation of great public hall. 1t will
be an exhibition of that form of pub
lie spirit upon which other larger and
greater successes are always condi-
toned