Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-03-21
floor might be engaged for other pur-

| floor might be engaged LOT otEei Pun
poses.
| The main hall should. We believe, be
equipped to seat not less than 1000
i people. and should include permanent
seat elevations. holding not less than
four rows of seats, around one end and
two sides of the hall.
| The stage should be large enough TO
seat 100 or more people, and commit
tee rooms should be provided on each
side of the stage. We would suggest
that the stage itself be movable, so
that if occasion required, it might be
set in any position in the hall.
All seats on the main floor should be
after a design of the general charac-
ter herewith submitted, except that
there should be not less than 800 COM
bination desk chairs, for the use OF del
egates to conventions. etc.
The plans for hall. herewith submit
| ted, Mr.. Drack suggests. should be con-
sidered simply as suggesting what can
be done Your committee desires, of
course. TO submit these plans with the
understanding that they are subject to
any change desired: but according to
these plans a hall would cost not more
1
than $4,000.
AS regards a site for the convention
| hall your committee has considered
several. We would call especial atten-
ton to the importance of securing a
central location, accessible from all
parts of the city, and especially from
1.-The hotels. In this connection We sug-
gest the possibility of utilizing the
ground between the postoffice and the
Rock Island Club house. the old rink
property. or the property owned by c.
| ]. Searle, Seventeenth and Fifth ave
nue.
| We desire TO here emphasize our be-
! lief. based upon a careful investiga-
ton. that a suitable convention hall. in
Guiding site, should not cost more than
s25 900. and a convention building at
this outside price should meet every
requirement for some years to come.
| The plans could. if desired, take into
consideration the possibilities of the
future. and provision be made for a
third story hall practically as large
as the main floor auditorium.
The Ownership.
We believe that, as a condition prec-
edent to enlisting the support of the
people of Rock Island generally, guar
antees should be given that the hall
and building will be at the disposal of
the people at all times for all pur
poses.
To give these guarantees, we sug
gest the following plan:
That the Rock Island Auditorium as
sociation be organized and incorpora-
ted, and that $4,000 shares of stock or
that proportion of the $4,000 found to
be necessary. of a par value of 81 each.
be issued, as hereinafter provided, but
on the express condition that as soon
as the auditorium is completed and
free from debt, or before it is free from
debt if it can so be arranged. the build
ing and the property shall be decided to
the city of Rock Island, and thereafter
the city to maintain and conduct the
auditorium, under proper rules and
regulations, for the benefit and con-
venience of the city and its people, the
intention being TO provide a free. or
practically free. local meeting place.
and to accommodate any conventions
that we may be able to bring to Rock
Island.
We believe that the people of the
city will recognize the great advan-
tages that will be afforded them by
hall conducted by the city government
under some such arrangement as here
suggested.
Especially will they come to this
view when they are given to under
stand that not only are they helping
themselves and their city's interests in
the construction of this auditorium,
but also that for every share of stock
purchased they will receive an equiva-
lent in high class entertainment from
month to month
The Plan.
To at once organize and incorporate
the Rock Island Auditorium assOcia-
ton. with governing board of Is
trustees, whose duty it will be to elect
a president. secretary. treasurer. and
board of not more than five directors,
to conduct the affairs of the associa-
ton under such rules and regulations
as the governing board of trustees may
prescribe. The governing board of
trustees to be selected as follows:
Three members to be appointed by the
city government. three to be appointed
by the Rock Island Club, three by the
various church organizations of the
city. three by the Trades and Labor
congress, and three by the various
lodge organizations OF the city.
The association, through its officers,
to cause to be circulated and signed by
the property holders of the city stock
subscription agreements providing for
a cash payment of 81 each month on
stock subscription of not less than IL
nor more than % shares; as payments
are made monthly. certificates of stock
10 be issued. conditioned as hereinhe-