The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-04-14
DATA At HAND
FOR AUDITORIUM
Replies to Inquiries From
Other Cities.
BUILT BY STOCK COMPANIES
Information Will Be Laid Before Com
mittees by Commissioner West and
Building May Be Undertaken.

Commissioner Henry L. West pre-
scented to the joint committees on the
construction of an auditorium for in
augural balls and large assemblies this
afternoon, in his office, an array OF. in
teresting information concerning the
construction and use of similar halls
in other cities.
He has correspond "a with officials in
a number of places and has received
considerable data concerning auditori-
un7s of the character designed for Wash
iEgton. 1t is shown by a study OF the
various replies that in many cases the
cost of construction of the hall, which
in the case of Washington will amount
to about $500, coo, was paid through the
organization of a stock company similar
TO the one tlreaiy proposed here.
Cities Own Some.
In one or two cases such buildings
have been paid for from the general
city funds, but rarely so. Public sub
str;ptions have been asked in a majority
of the cities where the matter was in
yestigated. Other questions were asked
concerning the site, size, expense of
maintenance, and manner of manage
ment.
Moines, Iowa, was built on leased
ground through the agency of a stock
company at Il cost of $50, OC9. Several
thousand dollars were subscribed, for
which no stock was issued Shares were
so each, and each share is entitled to
one vote. The building was practically
built by popular subscription, as no one
investing expected to get any dividends
This is very similar to the plan pro-
posed for Washington. The Des Moine 5
structure is S4x165 feet, while the Wash
ington auditorium will probably be
shout o00x232 feet. The fixed expenses
oS the former amount to about S3,OH
per year, and 1t is leased to an amGSe-
ment company for that sum, the stock
holders reserving the right to use it for
ten conventions annually.
Milwaukee has no auditorium OF this
character but is considering the advts-
ability of erecting one at once.
Springer Hall, Cincinnati.
Springer Hall, in Cincinnati, is built
entirely of brick with stone trimmings
Its average annual revenue is from $l2,-
600 to $4,000 annually, and the average
annual cost of maintenance is from 49,
600 to $4,000.
New 'York's Madison Square Garden
was erected by a stock company in 1879
The building covers an area ls. feet by
AS feet and Is about so feet nigh. This
includes the large ;lnDhitheater cover
ing about two-thirds OF the total area,
the rest being occupied by a theaIer and
concert hall. The cost was about 81 ,eo0.-
600. The building was constructed q
steel and brick, the floors being gener-
ally fireproof.
Tomlirson Hall, Indianapolis.
Tomlinson Hall. in Indianapolis, was
erected partly from the general funds of
the city and partly from the proceeds
of the Tomlinson estate, which was be-
queathed TO the city for that purpose.
It cost about $4,000. and is 200x100 feet
in size. 1t is a brick building. 1t is mol
run on moneymaking basis and is open
to public meetings al a nominal cost
The proposed hall for Washington is
larger than any Of those mentioned
The Pension building. which has beer
used for inaugural balls in past years
is 200x400 feet, outside measurement
while the main hall alone in the pro-
posed auditorium Is to be 500x170 feet in
dimension.