The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-02-08
BUILD OR ENLARGE
Two Auditorium Propositions
Before the Commercial Club.
Addition Would Make Present
Structure Hold $500.
HOLLAND HAS MADE PLANS
He Guarantees Maintenance of
the Acoustic Properties.
Estimated Cost of New City
Hall Is 100000.
HOLLAND HAS MADE PLANS

Two auditorium propositions We're
presented to the board of directors of
the Commercial club at their regular
meeting this noon. One entails the ex-
penditure of approximately $500 for
charging The present structure to a
seating capacity of $500. Another
would mean the expenditure of APP
proximately 100000 for an entirely
new auditorium at a new location. AT
2:15 o'clock the meeting adjourned
without arriving at any decision. An
other meeting will be held at noon to-
morrow.
j. C. Holland presented a blue print
of remodeled auditorium that would
extend As feet to the east An in
crease in the size of the stage, a change
in the setting of the pipe organ, a
change in the rear StairwayS, a new
roof, new floor and other minor
changes are embodied in the final esti-
mate of from $25, 900 to 100000 for a
remOdeled and enlarged auditorium.
Mr.. Holland assured his hearers
that the acoustic conditions in the en-
larged auditorium would remain as
good as in the present structure. Mr..
Holland asserted that the excellent
acoustic conditions existing in the
city's auditorium drew much praise
from visiting teachers who had en-
deaVored in vain to catch one or two
words of speeches delivered from the
suggested in the event of deciding to
adopt Mr.. Hollands plan for an en-
larged auditorium that experts in the
acoustic line be called in and assur-
ances received from them that the
proposed change would create no trou-
BILE along this line.
The question of the safety of the
present structure was discussed at
some length. Mr.. Holland declared he
is willing to stake his reputation on the
=
gested that concrete floors be installed
to lessen the fire danger. Mr.. Holland
told the board that there are Sc feet
Of exits in the building while W. w.
Webb, president of the Commercial
Club, made a statement to the effect
that the entire auditorium can be
cleared in five minutes.
Hard Maple Floor.
Mr.. Webb further suggested that a
hard maple floor be placed in the
building in place of concrete and thus
enable the city to press the auditorium
into service as a skating rink and
dance hall in the event d time would
come when a big dance is desired. If
this is done Mr.. Holland believes as
bestos sheetfhg should be placed I'M
derneath the flooring which would
make it as fireproof as concrete
floor
f. L. Copeland disclosed the fact
that the 19 and 20-inch seats in the
auditorium at this time are too large
and that 1S-inch seats are those most
generally used in such buildings. Mr.
Holland admitted that the seats are
too large and stated that if 18-inch
seats are installed the seating capacity
can be increased several hundred.
II. B. Wright, of the real estate
committee reported that some of the
property owners had not made a state
ment whether they were willing to sell
their real estate needed to increase the
size of the auditorium while one mad
told the committee point blank that
he would not sell at any price. Com
missioner Porter was asked if the city
had a right to condemn property for
public improvements. He replied that
he believed it did. w. w Webb eau
toned the board that it would be bad
policy to condemn more than twenty
five feet OF the property which to-
gether with the alley and real estate
now owned by the city would be suf-
ficient for the Improvement. Mr.. H"l-
lands estimate does not include the
cost of real estate.
]. viii Kelley tcld the directors
that he had found much sentiment
among members of the club favora bic
to abandoning the rebuilding PROPOSE
ton and erecting an auditorium i'll
Topeka that would be a model of It's
kind all over the middle west He
estimated the cost of such 4 structure
at 5000 600 which would mean . tax
of 81 a year for thirty years on a So
900 property to retire 4 bond issue at
the end of thirty years.
4 don't believe any $4,000 prop
erty owner who understands the pro-
position would object to paying $50
for a building OF this kind in Topeka
said Mr.. Kelley.
Continuing Mr. Kelley outlined a
plan to move the police station into
the auditorium and make it the alb
solute center of all city activities
Would Build for Future.
A new location would be sought for
the auditorium and in addition to
supplying Topeka with one of the best
convention drawing cards in the coun-
try could be utilized a civic center
with various club headquarters in the
building. Father John Murphy. who
is strong for such a building, declares
that the rent to be derived from the
Commercial club alone would pay the
interest on the bonded Indebtedness.
Z, H. Crosby and w. w. Webb both
assured the board that they wish to do
the best thing for Topeka but feared
such a proposition at present would be
smaller property owners. Statistics
will be produced to show whether To-
peka property owners are being taxed
as high. higher or lower than those of
other cities
Mr.. Kelley believes a new auditor
ium should be large enough to seat
$500 people. Community singing
which begins tonight will become
regular annual event, the Farmers
Union has decided to hold its meet
ings here regularly and will increase
in size. the number in attendance at
teachers conventions will increase
each year and in any event ten years
from now will find Topeka with an
other auditorium situation on its
hands. So why not one now. Mr.
Kelley asks.
*. L. Team Invades Missouri