Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-02
COMMITTEE MEETS
ADDRESSES By CoMMISSIoNER
WEST AND OTHERS.
Local Committee Of Arrangements to
Be Announced Tomorrow
Plans in View.

anu permanent convention NAH Is well I'M
der way. The special committee Of one
hundred, organized by Commissioner Henry
l.. West and charged with suggesting the
ways and means for raising the fund, met
last evening at the New Willard Hotel and
decided to incorporate the auditorium as
ISOLATION at once. The meeting was en-
thusiastic and augured well for the enter
prise.
This morning Mr. West received a letter
from Mr.. John Croghan of 1905 street
northwest, lnclosing check for $40 for one
share of stock. and wishing the association
all kinds of success.
one of the most surprised men was Mr..
West. chairman of the committee of one
hundred, and one of the most earnest work.
ers In the interest of the proposed conven-
ton hall. Mr.. West. when he called the
meeting to order last evening, counseled
conservatism, and cautioned against haste,
not because he lacked enthusiasm but be-
cause he was not assured of the enthusiasm
of the public.
The public" or rather the public peck
etbook, was well represented at the meet
Ing and conservatism was scOrned. Con-
sequent1y it was determined to incor-
porate Immediately with fifty thousand
shares at ten dollars each, making the
capital stock 100000 This may be in
creased to $1.000.00O If the money should
come in too fast for the treasurer of the
association.
In calling the meeting to order Mr..
West outlined the purpose of the pro-
posed association.
MI. Vests Address.
Mr.. West in opening his address, stated
that the effort to secure in Washington the
erection of commodious and modern au-
ditorium is the outgrowth of the necessity
for building of this character. This need
was especially emphasized, he said, when
hac
to Congress for the use of the pension
building for the inaugural ball. Apart from
this quadrennial function, however he
said he thought it will be universally agreed
that Washington, the national capital
ought to possess fine auditorium for con-
ventions, concerts, mass meetings and other
largely attended public gatherings. Ac-
cording to Mr.. West, there is hardly city
tainly not one of its Importance, which has
not large music hall or auditorium.
Washington. more than any other munich
pality in the country, Is q convention city.
itor. Not only does 1t delight the eye with
its beauty, but the exhibits in the public
buildings are, in themselves, a liberal edu-
cation. Even with the meager accommoda-
tons which the city possesses in the way Of
an assembly hall for these conventions, nu-
merous organizations visit Washington and
it is safe to say that II there was a fine
auditorium the number of conventions held
in Washington would be largely increased
Continuing he said:
The object of this meeting tonight is to
consider, first, whether as representative
citizens OF the national capital we desire
a building of this character arected here
and, II the answer shall be in the affirIna-
tive, to discuss the ways and means for ac-
comprising that object The work which
has been done thus far has been of the
most preliminary nature. A suggestion that
perhaps the structural steel used in the
erection of the United States government
building at the St Louis exposition might
be utilized for similar edifice in Wash
imgton led to considerable interest in the
project, and result commit
tees to consider the subject were appointed
by the inaugural committee the Board of
Trade and the Business Mems Association
These organizations did me the honor to
name me as the chairman of each COM
mittee. Several sessions have been held. 1t
was the consensus of this joint committee
that Congress should not be asked to do
nate a site. for the reason that there would
be inevitable restrictions and difficulties in
the occupation of public ground.
THE committee was also of the opinion
that the auditorium should be about 500
feet long and about 200 feet wide. AS a
matter of comparison 1t may be stated that
the pension building Is about 4OOx175 feet
Estimates which have been furnished show
that building of the contemplated size
can be built of yellow brick, with one large
central hall capable of being subdivided into
tions and with rooms for various purposes
for about 100000 This estimate includes
the money saved through the use of such
OF the steel in the government building at
st. Louis may be necessary. AS to this
steel, I should state that Congress has
given us an option as to its acceptance,
which option expires upon the 4th of June
next. Further estimates which have been
made show that the cost of the building,
II the proposed size be adopted will be at
least $500, 600 of which $500, 600 will be for
erection, 100000 for the ground and the
other 500, 600 for transporting the ma
terial from st. Louis. furnishing. etc..
Mr.. West said 1t was also the opinion Of
the joint committee that the project should
be launched in the shape of a stock COM
pany II am well aware that business men
do not, as a rule, put money into a stock
enterprise without expecting some return
therefor" said Mr.. West. Upon this point
it can be said that many representative
men in Washington believe that the au-
ditorium will be elf-sustaining. There will
certainly be more Demand for such a build
ing in W shington than in any other city.
inasmuch as more conventions are held
here and 1t is -nown that Washington is
practically ignored in the matter of mu-
steal entertainment simply because there
is no hall available for concert purposes.
Suggestions have also been made to me
that an auditorium would be utilized for
art exhibitions. while from other quarters
comes the promise of Its use for horse
shows such as attract thousands of visitors
to New York each year. The fact that the
railway congress has come
here at great expense indicates the almost
universal desire to meet In Washington. It
seems to me, however as If we might APP
proach this enterprise in something more
than speculative spirit Other cities have
built fine auditoriums through popular
a matter OF local interest
and pride, while the people of Kentucky
erected a state building at st. Louis at q
cost of $25O000. through contributions of
81 each. when their legislature had declined
to make an appropriation. What has been
done elsewhere ought certainly be done
here, especially when the need Is so uni
conceded.
My suggestion tonight is that this gath
ering of citizens authorize the formation
Of the Washington Auditorium Association,
and that this entire month be devoted to
earnest canvass of the city for the purpose
of determining whether stock will be taken
to an amount even approximating the pro-
posed cost. The expense OF this canvass
could. with perfect propriety be met from
the surplus Of the inaugural fund. now
lying idle, and in a month we ought to be
able to know the extent to which the prof.
ect win meet with popular support. Those
who have interested themselves In the In
itiatIon OF the movement have reached the
point where the cooperation Of their fell
is necessary. Through force
of circumstances was placed at the head
of tha movement. You can understand