South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-31
THRESH OVER
PROPOSALS FOR
COLISEUM SITE
Shall City Or County Build
Structure? Question De-
bated at Meeting Call
ed by Mayor.

Whether the proposed coliseum,
which is to be erected as a memo
rial to the soldiers in the county in
the world war, should be built some
where in the heart Of South Bend,
or whether Springbrook park would
provide a better location for such
an institution was the subject of
earnest debate at a meeting Of city
and county officials and prominent
citizens in the council chambers at
the city hall Tuesday morning
The meeting was called by Mayor
Carson, who frankly told those pres
ent that while he is open to convic-
ton he at present favors the loca-
ton Of the proposed coliseum some
where in the heart Of South Bend.
The mayor said that before any ac-
ton is taken by the city in the mat
ter, he wanted to get the opinions
of citizens generally as TO whether
the coliseum should be located in
this city, and as TO whether it should
be built by the city or by the county.
Looks to Future.
Samuel Leeper was the first one
called upon by the mayor to express
| his views in the matter. Mr.. Leeper
! favored SpringbroOk park as the
l most suitable place for the coliseum
He pictured the future growth Of
South Bend and Mishawaka, and de-
clared that a coliseum that would
be abreast Of the time in 25 years
I from now should be built.
II have always contended that
\ when a coliseum Is erected it should
/ be located between South Bend and
Mishawaka." said Mr. Leeper. "A
| coliseum means more than a mere
auditorium. 1t means a place where
exhibitions, such as poultry, stock
and other shows of that kind can be
| held. II should be a place that will
I be an institution that will be acces-
sible to the entire county and one
that the entire county will feel an
/ interest in"
Advantage of site.
Mr.. Leeper also pointed out that
the site at Springbrook can be OBJ
tanned without cost to the county,
arguing that a suitable location in
| the downtown portion of South Bend
would cost an enormous sum Of
money. Mr.. Leeper urged the lack
/ of a suitable auditorium I'm either
I South Bend or Mishawaka for hold
\ ing large gatherings, and declared
that the masses of the people of the
county need better amusement than
they are nov afforded He cited the
/ coliseum at Pittsburgh as an exam
/ pie Of what can be given the people
/ of the county. although perhaps on
la smaller scale. telling Of the excel
/ lent music provided there absolutely
| free 10 those who visit the Pitts
/ burgh coliseum.
In his opening remarks Mayor
/ Carson referred 70 the possible
amalgamation Of South Bend and
I Mishawaka at some time in the fu-
ture. urging the great influence such
city would exert throughout the
state
Mayor Ralph W Gaylor Of Misha-
waka agreed with Mayor Carson
that such a thing is within the
realms OF possibility. and argued
that the location Of the coliseum at
/ Springbrook would tend 20 draw the
two cities closer together. He de-
clared that inasmuch as the coli
scum project is to be a memorial 20
all the soldiers Of the county. IL
should be a county proposition. and
that SpringbrOok so far presents the
most suitable site for such a memo
rial.
Disadvantage OF Distance.
city Controller John ". Swygart
favored the location Of the coliseum
in South Bend. pointing out that
South Bend is the county seat Of s..
Joseph county He declared that il
the memorial were located at Spring
book il would he difficult 10 induce
conventions Of the larger kind 20
come here on account of the dis
tance Of the meeting place from the
hotels OF South Bend
G. 4. Elliott, president OF the
board OF public works. declared that
the purpose OF the city i'm wanting
10 locate the institution in the heart
OF the city is TO combine il with the
public market in order that 81 might
be made self-sustaining Mr.. FL
lott, however, like Mayor Carson
and Controller Swygart declared
that the coliseum should be located
where the majority of the people
OF the county desired
Miles O'Brien. president OF the
Cham her Of CONNIE erce. also favor
! CONTINUED or PAGE FOUR)