Omaha daily bee., 1913-11-07
Gillian Tells of the Good
Done by the Auditorium

dreds OF letters 10 this office from all
over the United states inquiring about
the building. how Il was constructed, how
the funds we're secured and how much
It cost II has advertised the city far
and wide by the cuts OF the building
placed on programs Of numerous conven-
tions and exposltlons and cent broadcast
over the country.
Helps AutO Trade.
The Auditorium has put Omaha on the
map as one Of the greatest automobile
distributing points in the country,
through ;he agency OF the annual auto
mobile show. The Auditorium has
brought to Omaha every year since It
was opened anywhere from 2O.000 to 10000
people to attend conventions and enter
tainments. who would not otherwise have
come 10 the city The Automobile show
alone last year brought fully 5000 people
into Omaha during the week OF the
show.
The Auditorium has enabled us 10 take
exceptionally good care OF the State
Teachers convention, which meets here
IN Omaha his week for the third conse-
eutive year. This building enables US
20 give them a great convention hall
and magnificent concert Without this
building Omaha would be off the map
when II comes TO the matter OF con-
ventions, exrositions. big mass meet
ings and Attractions requiring large seat
ing capacity.
| Unfortunately. We have in Omaha some
kckers and knockers who always find
fault with those who are trying TO 10
something 20 build up the city. We
should look and lift up" and instead
OF trying to tear down and throw away
the work Of years. we should encourags
tie city 10 buy the Auditorium, finish 81
up, make Il a place OF beauty where
I oven the Crouch and the knocker would
have to enter. take OFF his hat and say
| well done"
Present Problem.
The problem confronting the city now
is whether the Auditorium is to be aban.
doned aud sold for private use or pur'
chased by the city and maintained ai
an Auditorium BY the expenditure oi
about sSo,oc0 the building can be well ant
beautifully equipped and finished. som'
Of the city commissioners ami real cs
tate men figure that II would require
about $4,000. but / am figuring on wha
know can 90 done. not on the amour
OF money that might be squandered cI
the Job With an expenditure OF abou
$4,000 added to the purchase price o.
tz26O0O, Omaha will have an Auditorium
costing the city s255.Oo0. and say. with
out the least hesitation, that we woul,
then have an Auditorium property IA
better for the amount OF money than an!
other city between New York and SaI
Francisco.
But suppose the Auditorium should b
sold to private parties, then what?
will require Mt least $4,000 20 buy
half block OF ground as well located
considering car service. hotels and al
that goes 10 make up a desirable locatioi
for such building. II will require abou
$4,000 to put up another Auditorium
even az good as the one we now have
but TO erect such a building as the critic
and knockers demand viii require $685.
TO s4o0.oOo. All this will mean nm invest
ment OF practically half a million do
lars and II viii also mean that Omaht
II we should lose the present buildnl
viii not have another Auditorium for a
least five years 60 come Under th
present law. the city OF Omaha cannC
vote more than s250,Oo0 for tho purchas
or erection of an Auditorium. This az
cannot be changed until the legislator
meets in 1915. Even II II should be pos
slble to ket the law amended or change
In 1918 enabling Omaha TO vote half
az well conclude that II the present Aud
torium, VIZ shall not be able 90 even g'
started before the fan of 1915 Then
} viii require at least two years riore I
build new Auditorium SO we NAY jul
as well conclude that II the present Aud
torium is sold 10 private parties, IN
city will be without an Auditorium fC
J at least four or five years
Tells of the strugaIe.
l have lived Ia Omaha for almoi
twenty-five years. have spent te
years struggling with all sorts of di
couragements and difficulties trying I
help the splendid. enterprislns buslnes
, - 80 10 l,,,