The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1909-05-19
CORNER STONE
OF Au1lgQ!R!|uM
Was LA|0r j. <e:;!!!\y ;;:*s'!y
Something of Marvellous Enter
prise in Rearing Home for
Music Festival
ELoQUENCE ANO LABOR
MINGLED IN CEREMONIES

Even Stopped for Services But Sound
Of Hammer Mingled With Words Of
Eloquence.
With beautiful and impressive cere-
monies the corner stone of the new
auditorium, the magnificent and COM
modious building erected for the pur-
pose Of properly caring for the May
music festival, was laid this afternoon,
the services beginning shortly after
4 o'clock. o. NJ. Hatcher. chairman
of the board of directors of the Grand
Forks Oratorio society, was master
Of ceremonies, and number of citi-
zens participated in the services.
Those who a month ago undertook
the stupendOus task of constructing
a building large enough to comforta-
bly, accommodate the thousands who
will attend the great music feast,
realized the magnitude of the under
taking. But they were not daunted
and in manner that amazed the peo-
pie of this city, accustomed as they
are to witnessing large undertakings
successfully and quickly carried
through, pushed the work until this
evening as the corner stone was laid,
the. scores of mechanics were rushing
to completion dozen parts of the
building. 1t was an impressive ming
ling of ceremony and service; of
form and substance. The scrunch
:of the trowel of the master of. cere-
monies blended with the scrunch of
the masons laying the brick on the
walls. The voices Of the speakers
chimed with the ring of saws and rap
of hammers as the carpenters put the
finishing touches upon floors and roof.
The whole scene was typical Of ora
toria enthusiasm and Grand Forks
enterprise.
The University band, after playing
few selections down town, led the
line of march to the Structure. where
the exercises were held. After an
earnest and eloquent invocation by
Rev. Miller and selection by the
band. Master of Ceremonies Hatcher in
a few words outlined the purposes of
the ceremony and stated the objects
for which the structure is being erect
ed. He then introduced Mayor Taylor
who delivered the address of welcome,
and spoke as follows:
Mayors Address
Ladies and Gentlemen, Fellow Citi-
Zens:.
This is indeed an occasion for
heartfelt greetings. The laying Of
this corner stcne marks another
epoch in the history of this city and
the entire northwest. There have
been other epochs during tho past
year that contribute to our advance
ment, but in my humble judgment
none will compare with this among
the things that make for substantial
progress. To the men who are be-
hind this movement, We as citizens
extend hearty greetings, with our
best wishes for success In financial
way of this movement to your public
spirit and generous giving-two fac
tors that have made this building
possible. In larger sense we also
extend greetings. for the completion
OF this building makes possible other
things which are for the betterment
OF all mankind. In my minds eye
see within these walls magnificent
conventions. religious, educational and
/ political. Exhibitions that will give
to the people of the entire northwest
an insight as to the mighty advances
that are being made along mechanical
and scientific lines, and last but not
least-the prime factor which is the
underlying spirit that is pushing it
toward completion-the home of the
Grand Forks Orotoria society. OF all
the forces that make for the uplift
OF the human race, music always has
and always will hold first place.
h Within it is expressed every human
/, emotion. It holds within its grasp
S not only the individual but the nations
u of the earth. All bow to it's force for
good, and we, the people of this city
a and the entire northwest on this oc-
sS3 casion extend greetings to that society
Il with the assurance to them that we
u appreciate more than words can tell
4 the effort they are making to give us
\ OF their talent-the best that is with
4 In them. On behalf of all our citizens
+ extend greetings to all who have
assisted in making this occasion pos
sible, with the confidence that our
A hearts are with you for its great and
continued success"
Tracy Bangs Talks.
/ Attorney Tracy r. Bangs discussed
"The Auditorium and the City," call
Ing attention to the importance of the
city as compared with other cities of
the same size. He called attention
to the fact that no other city ever
undertook to construct building such
as the one, the corner stone OF which
was being laid. in the time given for
Its construction; no other city of the
size of Grand Forks had as fine a
federal court house; no other city in
6e state had as large congregation
and as costly church as Grand Forks;
no other CITY SDent as much mOney
procuring pure water-in fact while
Grand Forks had an abundant sup
ply, other cities were getting their
supplies In bottles; In no other city In
] the world were the citizens SO patrio-