The diamond drill., 1912-02-24

NHi, waiting 10 get some kind of an
expression from the voter as TO whether
they want an Assembly Hall or not in
connection with the City Hall. think
the majority Of the citizens are agreed
on the necessity for City Hall and
better Fire protection. The ouly ones.
tion that seems to be at issue "a
whether there shall be an Assembly
hall IN connection with the City Hall
or not When Mr.. Watson speaks
ABOUT the ten dollar tax payer" and
what little benefit he would deriva
from the erection OF place of anluse.
ment In connection with City Hall,
think his argument is little halting
II we look on the erection of a C,tv
hall and an Assembly Hall in connec.
tion with 1t. as public improvement.
or wonld Mr.. Watson argue that be.
cause all the tax payers cannot derive
oenent from the water works, and con.
sequently lack fire protection, that they
should be exempt from contributinp
by their taxes to the erection of sucb
waterworks. or because owners OF apto.
mobiles and horses. etc. etc, derive the
most benefit from street improvements
that the "ten dollar tax payer who
lives in the out lying districts of the
city should be exempt from contribut.
ing his part OF the taxes for the main.
tenance OF street improvements. A.
greeing that the majority of people
wish city hall. and the only question 4
at issue is whether there shall be an
Assembly Hall or not in connection
with the City Hall, why not submit
the whole question to the voters and lei
them decide at the coming special
election. II the bond issue il defeated
the whole question, OF course, falls by
itself, but suppose IL is carried. let
every voter that votes be handed a
special ballot on which ne Is to express
mis- opinion for or against an Assembly
Hall in connection with the CITY Hall
Inc Council wolld then have nm ex-
preston from the voters as to what
they want and the public would not be
In the dark. in what 70 expect in the
erection of the new City Hall. | have
not said much in regard 60 the neces.
ty or desirability OF an Assembly Hall
n connection with a new City Hall. hut
allow me briefly TO express a few rea.
IONS why we should have such an As
embly Hall. We have. at present.
lot no place where the citizens can
gather in mass meeting. or where
political meeting can be held. ORR
visitor welcomed. We
emember well how when our present
senator and other political speakers of
lote have been visiting us in the past
hey have been compelled 10 speak
rom carriage or the steps at the
otel. ! do not believe that an Assem-
ly Hall la connection with CITY
iali would in the least interfere with
ne management OF the present opera
ouse. The present Opera House is
iost exclusively now deyoting its
pace to moving picture shows and
'ller skating. and, as place Of public
| believe, most people will
Init that IL Is quite little out of
ACE. Mr.. Watson speaks in his ar.
Gle about the possibility of the As
mbly Hall being opened MP for
'ncert given by Madam Schumann.
eink or some other celebrity for
ncert or other high class entertain.
ent and that such an entertaiaxpent
ould be an imposition ON the small
< payer who mas through his taxes
ntrihnted to the erection OF the City
all do not know III my views are
rect but believe that such
tortainmenis are more OF
neht than "a detriment 10 the com.
unity High class music or high
'ss art can never work detriment 10
y community. and for one believe.
~ IL is pity. that we do not
ssess a place no that we may be
'ored by more entertainment OF that
ld Briefly. Mr. Editor. I only wish
suggest this. that the voters nj the
ming election be given chance TO
'ress their views, whether they want
Assembly Hall or not in connection
IA the erection OF a City Hall. and
. the council take such action AZ
y see tt 10 give the voters chance Z
express themselyesaat the polls
q. Fritriof I,arson