Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-09-16
CONVENTION HALL
GREATEST NEED
OF THIS CITY
PROPOSED ARM0RY WOULD
BE IDEAL SOLUTION
With Good Acoustic Proper
ties Would Be Worth Thous-
andS of Dollars TO Albuquer-
que.

a wen known Albuquerque lawyer
Yesterday talked for a little while of
the proposed armory to be built IN
This city with the money derived from
the bond issue of 1905 and now ready
in the territorial treasury. His opin-
ion IS that the greatest need that this
city has at the present time. not only
in view of the coming Irrigation con-
gress. but because of the city's posi-
ton as the first city in New Mexico,
is for an adequate convention hall. a
building which win meet the needs or
Albuquerque as a convention city.
There is a very great deal more to
this armory proposition he said,
than the mere furnishing of a hall for
the local companies of the National
Guard to drill and stack their arms
in. If 1t were only the National
Guard to be considered, we could
not take a very great deal of interest
in the matter. for while the National
Guard Is an important matter and its
maintenance Is vital to the nation. we
have not been wont To enthuse about
it in Albuquerque.
The supplying of a home for the
Fuardsmen. however, Is but n fea~
ture of this proposition. The armory
in every city i'm the country with
which l am familiar Is a building for
public 1t Is usually con-
GltNGAtu viii bloAh llObl HRd3t "
only to meet the needs of a drill room,
but to give space for large gatherings
which theaters generally will not ae-
commodate. Take the case Of Spring
field, Ills. The state Of Illinois main
talns "A magnificent armory in Spring
field. II has a vast loor space and
vast galleries. The National Guard
Of Illinois, one of the best militia or
organizations In the country. appears
in hat armory about once a year. The
rest of the time il is used for public
Ii is an ideal convention
hall and will seat almost any gather
ing. no matter of what magnitude.
I'VE eannot hope to build an ar
mory, or arsenal, like the state OF
Illinois has built, but can build a
building which viii be adequate for
convention and other public pur-
poses. This city has established an
enduring reputation as the eonven-
ton city of the southwest. More inn
portant gatherings have been held
here than in any other city In the
territories and more gatherings of this
kind will be held here, largely be-
cause of our enterprise In going after
and our splendid location. II
Is therefore plain hat the sooner we
get an adequate convention han the
sooner will be ready to take care Of
the several large conventions which
are now headed TINS way,
When Albuquerque has furnished
the site there will be ample funds to
build a great building, with large
noor space and sound acoustic prop
critics. 1t is a matter in which every
citizen and property owner Is inter-
ested, for every big convention that
comes to Albuquerque means dollars
in our pockets aud the advancement
Of the city. The greatest care should
had In In drawing the plans for the
proposed armory To see to II
hat Ii is designed as a convention
nall. This was one Of the chiet
purposes which prompted the passage
If the act authorizing the bonds ana I
have no doubt that the board IN
,harge vii. take the greatest pains -
zee to 1t that the purpose of the act -
,arried out. IL Is not a matter for the
sole interest of the National Guard. *
s an Albuquerque enterprise II an
important one and there should be
10 delay In carrying IL out properly.
rhe coming irrigation congress VIII
ak the resources of the city i'm the
way of entertainment. We should NOS
De found wanting In a proper con
hall. for with the delegates
,rowded and uncomfortable h con-
,ress would do US more harm than
and this city should be in a po-
iition to derive vast and enduring
benefit from this congress.