The Detroit times., 1915-01-05


ed further action and the effort came
J 70 naught.
Again. when the new charter was
framed, a clause was inserted, enab-
ling the city to construct convention
hall, but when the city charter was
defeated, the issue was blocked as be-
fore. Now Corporation Counsel Law
son advises It may be done by charter
amendment and this is the procedure
recommended by the convention bu-
reau.
How much Detroit has lost because
ot having no large convention nan
and auditorium no one Is able to estl-
mate. The Detroit convention bureau
estimates that Detroit entertalns an
nualiy 100000 delegates and visltoTs'
who leave S3,000,0OO In the city'
These delegates, representing gener,
ally the brains. influence ana ire vi
their own communities, give Detroit
tremendous and invaluable puphcity
IN their home districts.
4 According TO the hgures when the
convention bureau has gathered, there
are about 90 OF the large bodies whlch
meet annually that Detroit cannot In
vite at all II Detroit were able 10
OFFER accommodations, IL Is beheVea
by those who have these matters IN
charge that her visitors would Dc
doubled and new money doubled as
well.
Detroit is often called the conven-
tion city. This Is due to It's great
natural advantages and widely known
beauties. and 10 the universal desire
OF persons east, west, north and soutn
TO see Detroit and enjoy what 1t OF
fers, but the city Is greatly handi.
capped. for Il has no hall capable OF
taking care of more than $500 people.
and Il Is said by those in charge tnat
even this place, the armory, VIII soon
cease TO be available, as the military
organizations within two years VIII
use II all the time.
An instance OF the difficulty In
finding a place for large exhibit.
something which Is a part OF many Oh
the larger and more desirable conven-
tions. Is at hand In the automoDlle
show. For time this was held in
the WAYNE Gardens. A year ago the
automobile dealers were compelled TO
seek another place. BY chance the
Henry Ford block at Woodward-ave.
and the Boulevard, not yet occupied,
was available Those in charge or the
1915 show. after long hunt, settled
upon the plant OF the Detroit Lumber
company, which had erected new build
ings out vert Jefferson-ave. that 1t had
not yet occupied. Where this organ
ization will find place for the 1916
show is problematical. These dealers
represent Detroit's 80 automobile man
ufacturing companies, whose products
total 6S per cent OF the output IN the
United States. They are not expect
lag something for nothing, in fact they
are willing and anxious to pay we'll for
what they need.
Detroit Is also the home OF other
great industries, In some or which she
leads the world All have tremendous
trade avenues into every section or
the world Adequate quarters III De-
troit. where conventions OF men rep
resenting their lines could be he'd. is
of great value to them. The coming
OF such bodies brings not only trade
TO their own particular channels. but
TO other lines, and large sums or mon
ey as we'll. None OF the larger con-
yentions can be held in Detroit ~
present fer the one sole reason.
The Detroit convention bureHu has
information that Detroit Is one OF the
few large cities in the country With
out large auditorium and reports ibr
ther than hair oozen sulaner cities
in Michigan are better provided. The
State Teachers association. which
meets every year and has an attend
ance of 5000 shoulu nave met In De-
troit this year but it will be held in
Saginaw instead, where there is
greater convention hall room.
Detroit IL Is asserted, can not hope
TO entertain national political conyen-
tions. although the seventh city in the
union, until IL has a proper conven-
ton hall. Neither would 1t be posi-
bic to enjoy great musical festivals
ana hippodrcme attractions, or to
have here nationwide educational or
church gatherings with present hall
facilities.