Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-24
MAY ISOLATE AMER|CA1SUCCESS SEEMS S|JRE|
Europe Alone May Adopt 0ne.Fifth of Amount Needed
Naval Warfare Code. for Auditorium Subscribed.
LARGE DEMAND FOR STOCK
Meeting of Business Men at the New
Willard.
GREAT INTEREST IN PROJECT
Secretary Root and Commissioner
Macfarland Tell Of the Need for
Proposed Convention Hall.

AT public meeting held at the New
Willard Hotel yesterday afternoon near
| ly 100000 was subscribed to the fund
required to build the auditorium which
leading Washingtonians propose to erect
| for holding conventions and similar
gatherings.
That the plan to erect such a building
| is approved by Washingtonians was
clearly demonstrated by those who at
tended the meeting. The closest atten-
| ton was given to those who spoke, and
| the promptness with which the volun-
| tary subscriptions to stock in the enter
prise were given indicated an interest
| much more practical to the extent Of
dollars
| The National Auditorium Company
which will soon be incorporated. will,
1t is estimated. require s500,00O to carry
out its plans. The fact that approxi-
mately one-fifth Of that sum was pledged
at yesterdays meeting was exceedingly
encourag g1ng to the promoters Of the en-
terpr1se. The site on which 1t Is pur-
posed to erect the building in on 18th
street northwest: adjoining the Corcoran
Art Gallery on the south.
The meeting at the New Willard was
called for the special purpose Of arous-
Ing interest in the project. Robert Ba-
con. assistant secretary of state. was to
have presided, but when the meeting was
called to order at $3.50 o'clock by George
E. Hamilton. Mr.. Bacon, who was pres
ent, begged to be excused, on the ground
that he had an engagement which would
prevent his remaining until the close of
the meeting. Commissioner Macfarland,
in response to d request from Mr.. Ham,
ilton. took the chair
Object Of Meeting Announced.
In brief speech Mr.. Hamilton stated
the object of the association, which, he
said. was to form a stock company in
which as many Washingtonians as possible
should be stockholders. and erect and
conduct an auditorium, with size and
equipment sufficient to care for any con-
vention or public gathering that might
care to use 1t.
AT the close Of Mr. Hamilton's state
ment, Mr.. Macfarland called upon Sec
retary Of State Root, who, he said, was
keenly interested in the auditorium prop
osition.
Imperative Need of Auditorium.
Speaking from the viewpoint of one
highly connected with the national govern
ment Secretary Root said that it had long
been a crying shame that Washington had
not a place where the guests Of the nation
could meet. He called attention to the
frequency with which the. representatives
of foreign governments came to WASH
ington. often upon the invitation of this
government. to discuss International ques-
tions At present. he declared, this gov
ernment was nearly always embarrassed
upon such occasions because Washington
had no fitting place for such persons to
assemble.
And must give one word of warning
,t$l>
ment,'' said Secretary Root. Frequently
in appearing before Congress or in talking
privately with members of the Senate or
House in behalf of the District of Co
lumbia, l have had it thrown up to me
that the people of Washington want Con-
gress to do everything. Now in this case
you people of Washington should prove
to Congress that you are in earnest and
willing to do your part. Get your stock
subscriptions up and show your ability to
handle your own affairs
If you do this Congress will do its
share. but If not it will be apt to look
upon the scheme as real estate specula-
ton. l remember the case of the hall of
records. l was told by members of Con-
gress that soon as the money was ap-
propriated for the purchase of the site
all interest In the matter on the part of
the citizens of the District of Columbia
ceased Don't let the auditorium scheme
be characterized as a real estate specula-
ton.
Stand on a firm footing of public in
terest and you will find me willing at all
times to do everything in my power to
further your interests in this matter"
Mr.. Macfarland Predicts Success.
Speaking for the District government.
Commissioner Macfarland said he was in
terested heart and soul, personally and
officially. In the auditorium project, even
to the extent of favoring its exemption
from taxation.
This is a community undertaking.,
said Mr.. Macfarland. ''All will profit by
1t, and therefore all should be interested
in it, The stockholders will profit by a
moderate return for the use of the build
ing on many different occasions and for
many different purposes 1t VIII be
community center, where meetings, eX-
hibitions. entertainments OF nigh order
will be held. 1t will attract conventions
from all over the country and give us un-
disputed pre-eminence as the convention
city But all business and all citizens
will share in the larger profits that will
come indirectly from the gathering here
of thousands of people who would not
otherwise come. 1t will be success un-
less some unforeseen events rob 1t of its
just deserts. If II should not be carried
out every investor will get his money back
from the care Of the trust company to
which it will be confided. But l do not
believe it can fail.
People Of District Defended.
In reply to Secretary Roots remarks
about criticisms in Congress. Mr.. Macfar-
land said that the people of Washington
had always been willing to do their share
in any public undertaking. He called at
tention to the fact that for seventy-eight
years the people of the District had sup
ported the National capital without aid
from Congress; that they had always
done more than their share In time of
war. and had always responded quickly
and literally to all calls for charity
At the close of his remarks Mr.. Mac
farland said that II any one present cared
to subscribe to the stock he could do SO
| through Milton e. Allies. chairman of the
committee on finance of the National Au-
| ditorium Company. Immediately indi-
| viduals. among those who were in at
| tendance. began to announce their inten-
| ton to subscribe. and the amounts they
| wished to be set down for.
| The largest subscription was that of
Christian Heurich. which was $4,000
Emil Berliner subscribed $1,000 and there
| were a number who subscribed $1,000
each, including Thomas r. Walsh c. c.
Glover. Woodward & Lothrop and D.
c. Phillips. There were two subscriptions
4 . OnaA TT