The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-09-15
.CANNON'S VIEWS ON
 THE AUDITORIUM Thinks Birmingham Should
 Have the Best ST. LOUIS EXPERIENCE Building Should Have Space for Ex- hibits to Be Rented at Reason
 able Charge to Pay for
 the Upkeep
ST. LOUIS EXPERIENCE
To the Editor of The Age-Herald:

To the Editor of The Age Herald:
 As citizen of Birmingham, I wish to cooperate with those who advocate constructive policy, based on princi- ples of the greatest good to the great est number. I submit for consideration to my fellow citizens the following, based on knowledge and experiences: Birming- ham deserves the best auditorium to be had. The Grand Central Palace. New York; the Bourse, Philadelphia, and the Auditorium. Chicago, arc successes, be- cause they are provided with exhibit space for the exposition of wares for sale and exhibitors are willing to pay fair price for spaces. Chicago and New York have increased ground floor spaces
 There are quite number of auditoriums and colosseums in different cities. The question of ratio of fixed expenses and benefits or burdens to the respective cities.
 As an illustrati only. the following case is used. For more than % years the St. Louis Exposition company was con- ducted as a mi-commercial, semi public propaganda to carry people to that city. It was for number of years a success from both standpoints.
 A public park was turned over to the exposition company by city authorities at nominal rental, if any. The building was paid for by popular stock subscriptions.
 The largest hall seated about 1000. There the great orchestras of Seymour Gilmore Sousa, Innes and others played. Henry w. Savage presented the leading light operas. Grand opera was presented on numerous occasions. National conven- tions, festivals and expositions were held The music hall seated 800.
 Was Very Successful As a drawing card for visitors year after year, time and again, 1t was un-
 equaled. As a commercial venture it paid fixed charges, paid small dividends and gradually reduced the bonds. Con- ducted along those lines, it would have liouidated all bonds and paid good dividend to the stockholders as a perma- ment investment and would have in- creased the attendance of visitors. However, the basement was used as ex- hibit space and brought rental. Around the auditorium and music hall was con- siderable space to sell for exhibits. Such revenue made provision ample for fixed expenses and brought financial success. Faddists thought great ampitheatre, 6ICdt duultOTiuLi, 6Todt NOlObSeulAAS to seat 10000 people was necessary. Sucn clamor arose as to excite a supposed de- mand. The colosseum was built to seat 2O,00O people. New bonds were issued. Additional expenses added. More fixed charges incurred.
 The exposition buildings and the great colosseum did not pay. In a few years the property was taken over by the bondholders. The buildings were torn down. The park passed from the people. The exposition disappeared. The crowds quit coming. Today the grounds are occupied by the Carnegie library. with & sunken garden in the rear and signs all about for the people to keep off the grass"
 A new generation of rich men came into the city life They wanted the horse show and grand opera and many such features beyond the reach of the Income of the very best men and wom- en of that city.
 large sum of money was raised and a great colosseum was built at a cost of near $500,00 An annual horse show and few other annuals with an occasional trade exposition con stituted the income. The receipts from all sources did not equal fixed charges. Individuals indorsed colosseum deficits When I moved from that city a strong effort was on foot to hand over to the city the colosseum property. It was a squeezed lemon, loaded with white elephant. And the taxpayers were be- ing urged to assume the burden of men who led without leadership knowl- edge. experience or ability.
 The colosseum was too large for y9 of 100 conventions and was totally un- fit as an exposition building The arch itect who drew the plans. the commit tee that accepted thes pfans the men
 who paid the cost were incompetent and failure follows rank incompetence.
 Use City Land
 Birmingham should have an auditor ium among the best. if not the very best in the land. The commissioner should use enough space for the build ing at Fifth avenue and Seventeenth h street and save purchase price of land or annual rental cost.
 The building should have ample ex-
 hibit space or rental space on the ground floor to produce revenue to pay all fixed charges and create sink ing fund to liquidate the bonds.
 The second floor should be arranged with offices for executives and sev. eral small halls for use or rent The main auditorium should be SO ar- ranged as to be thrown into several smaller halls as demanded. or open cd
 up as the finest auditorium in the country
 The best obtainable figures show
 there are approximately 1s.00o conven- tions or meetings held annually Th< trend is for the larger bodies to selec permanent places for meeting, where l suitable quarters can be had on ac ceptable conditions The greatest diff.
 nculty is hallrooms with exhibi | spaces.
 The city that supplies that neces