The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-20
The Auditorium Is Second Only
to Santa Fe Shops.
The Necessity of Making 1t
Bigger and Better.
WILL BE PUT UP TO CITIZENS
A Bond Issue Sufficient to Make
1t Over.
Will Have a Seating Capacity
of 5000 Persons.

A practically new Auditorium, with
three floors of reinforced concrete
seating capacity of 5000 persons, fire
proof throughout, to cost $4,000, Is
the latest solution of Topeka's well
known municipal problem.
The plan for the improvement has
been worked out by a committee of
well known citizens, who believe it is
complete solution of the question,
What shall we do about the Audito-
rum?
The proposition contemplates
bond issue of 100000, to run 80
years at 4 " per cent, with sinking
fund provision which will retire the
debt when due.
Seventy-seven thousand, five hun
dred dollars of this money is to be
spent on the Auditorium, and the 9TH
er S22,50O is to be used in building a
new city jail.
So sure are the sponsors of this
proposition that it will meet with the
approval of the public and solve the
auditorium troubles that petitions will
be circulated at once, asking the city
commissioners to call an election, in
order that the people may endorse 1t.
The increased seating capacity of
the auditorium, which will be prac-
tically double the present capacity,
will be obtained by purchasing 80 feet
! of ground on the east side and ex-
tending the building that much. The
north, west and south walls are to re-
main as they are. The roof is to be
raised four or five feet, and the
ground floor lowered even with the
street, thus creating room for gal
| lery.
Concrete Floors.
The floors, including stairways, will
be concrete, The only wood in the
| building will be the chairs and the
stage. New seats will be placed on
the lower floor, the old ones going to
the balcony and gallery, where they
will be put down permanently.
The pipe organ will be moved TO
the east side and a modern removable
stage will be built, so arranged that
entertainments requiring scenery can
be given. AT present it is impossible
for any play to be put on in the Audi
torium that requires scenery.
| Provision is also contemplated for
| a basement in which will be a kitchen
and equipment necessary for the serv-
ing of dinners for banquets, conven-
tions or other gatherings.
Rolling curtains will be hung
around the balcony, so arranged that
they can be lowered. thus cutting the
first floor into four different rooms,
upon occasion, and permitting as
many different conventions to hold
simultaneous sessions.
The present auditorium seating ca
pacity is inadequate to accommodate
the largest meetings and conventions
that come to Topeka. 1t grew too
small for the State Teachers associa-
ton two or three years ago. Upon
occasions such as the visit of the pres
ident or other notables in whose COM
ing there is unusual interest, the
building will not accommodate halt
the people who vainly endeavor to get
inside.
One of Our Big Assets.
The Farmers Union is another large
state convention that is growing larger
each year. 1t met in Topeka in Feb
ruary, with nearly 1000 delegates
present Ultimately this organization
| will be the largest in Kansas and with
an adequate convention hall Topeka
should be its annual meeting place.
Next to the Santa Fe shops and
allied railroad interests, it is stated
that conventions are Topeka's best
asset as a business producer The
city must therefore equip itself to take
care of every convention it can induce
to come here.
For the past year or so the audi
toriums capacity has been gradually
lesSened in order to make the build
ing safe At present. it is said, the
capacity is not over 1000, although il
| originally seated 1919 persons and
was built to seat 4,400.
4 On Thursday night of the last State
Teachers association convention the
north side walls were cracked ovel
an inch when those in charge risket
taxing the capacity. 5000 were
crowded into the building that night.
In self defense, therefore, Topeka
must do something to get a new audi
torium. She must be able to take
care of the conventions that come Il
her and safeguard the lives of the PEG
pie who come to attend them.
There has long been need of new
Jail and it is believed public sentimen
will favor the proposition to erect it.