The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1911-10-18
NOW THE OPERA HOUSE.

Denison is up to the opera house
proposition. There are number of
good reasons why the project should
not be delayed.
First: The present alleged opera
house is a disgrace to the city. 1t is
entirely inadequate, it leaks, it is out
of repair, it is not a fit place either to
stage a frst-class performance or as a
place of amusement for first-class peo-
pie. 1t is unsafe and unsanitary and
| it is not large enough for any special
occasion.
Second: The site upon which it
stands is owned by the government.
Questions on which to base the prelim-
mary drawing have already been for
warded to the postmaster and an
swered by him and there is evidence
that the government is about to begin
building operations. One of the first
steps would be to order the removal
of the buildings now occupying the
site.
Third: We understand that the Den
ison improvement company has en-
tered into a contract with the Ger
mania Verein which provides that the
|Verein shall have free use of the hall
until a new opera house is erected
This involves the removal of the build
ling and the purchase or lease OF LOT
on which to place it should the gov.
eminent order the building removed
before the new opera house is com
pleted. BY building at once this ex-
pense, which would amount to sever
al thousand dollars, would be avoid
ed, for the contract expires when the
new opera house opens for business.
Fourth The Improvement company
now owns the building occupied by the
Wilbur hotel. This could be sold and
the money used for the purchase of a
site or it could be traded for site.
The old subscription was unlimited as
to time and we believe nearly all of
it is good and payable on demand.
Fifth: 1t is matter of good faith
with those who urged subscriptions
for the hotel with the promise that
the opera house project would be push
ed as soon as the hotel was completed:
Sixth: Denison is good show town.
The performance of "The Lion and the
Mouse" proves that our people are
willing to pay fair price to hear a
good production, and they would be
much more willing to do SO if they had
an elegant play house to which they
might go. The city now supports two
good moving picture shows. One Of
these could be located in the new
opera house and it would prove a pay
ing proposition, being open every week
might in the year.
Seventh: Denison needs new post
Office quarters as badly as any town
in the United States. We believe that
it occupies the smallest space of any
Office transacting the same volume OF
business that can be found anywhere.
Denison business men should petition
the government to hasten it's steps
towards giving Denison suitable postal
facilities and no stumbling blocks
should be placed in the way.
Eighth: The hotel is largely for the
comfort of the travelling public. A
new opera house would be for our own
enjoyment. 1t would attract high
class shows, theaters that would in
struct as we'll as amuse and that would
give an impetus to good thought rath-
er than to evil.
Ninth: If the preliminary matters
are attended to this fall everything
can be in readiness for building opera |
tons as soon as the frost is out of
the ground next spring and the new
building be ready for use by COM
time.
Now is the time to act. Delay will
but add to the expense and deprive
Denison people for another year of the
legitimate amusement and satisfac-
ton which a new opera house would :
give.