The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-04
THE AUDITORIUM

The avidny with which Memphis banks took over the entire
issue Of Auditorium bonds proves two things, each OF which is
gratifying. 1t shows that our banks have the money and 1t also
shows that they have faith in Memphis.
The need of an Auditorium was again emphasized the other
day when William Jennings Bryan sought to address the people
OF Memphis. Because there was no hall to accommodate them
hundreds and perhaps thousands Of people were denied the privi-
lege of hearing him. The loss was a great one. Whether we
agree with him or not, all will concede that he is one OF the
worlds greatest orators, and no matter what his subject, he is
always edifying and educational. This is only one instance. There
are many others. With a hall big enough to accommodate the
people, we can hear grand opera without paying an exorbitant
price OF admission, and when big orchestras are on the road they
will make Memphis, where, for a small admission, our people can
hear Handels masterful oratorio, "The Messiah" or the inter
mezzo from "Rustcana.' The average man or woman cannot
afford to pay the price which is necessary to hear grand opera i'll
a hall of limited capacity. With plenty of room Caruso may be
heard ringing out: "Ah! che la morte, or from the make-beheve
donjon tower mon ii cordardi mi, and the SouEsatlsying sweet
ness of Home to Our Mountains by a splendid mezzo and a
competent tenor. All these things are within the reach OF the
masses. All the great operas can be heard-an the great musical
and dramatic productions, and Memphis Will be known as a
musical and dramatic center and the patron of the best OF every
thing elevating and refining.
Besides this, there will be accommodation for conventions
and great conferences that will bring thousands of visitors to the
city. Lacking accommodations for these things, Memphis has
suffered sorely and her people have been deprived Of what is
supremacy best and most excellent.
BRYAN had to deliver his address in sections to a group here
and a group there, which is unjust to an orator who always feels.
the evocative influence of a great crowd and is at a disadvantage
when he has to repeat himself and condense his delverance.
1t was not like Memphis to delay so long. Now that the
money is ready the capable business men who have worked so
long and so hard on the Auditorium proposition will soon begin
building and push 1t TO completion. IL VIII ne a memphis lnStl~
tuition and it will be used for the benefit of Memphis.
Private greed cannot drive important events away by charg-
ing p%rohibitive rentals, The time is coming when we can hear
Gall-Curci for the price Of admission to a ball game. Great events
and great people will be attracted to Memphis and our people
will become familiar with them. The people OF Denver paid 10
cents admission to hear Schumann- Feinke and a tilc to hear
the great Irish tenor, John Mccormick. They had the room to
accommodate a big crowd, which made the price to each one pres
ent a trihe. To category everything the great Auditorium can be
used for would require more time and space than is available, but
it may be said that Memphis will soon be in a position to attract
the best of everything that is going and the DeODle of the Sur-
rounding country will flock here to participate in whatever is
presented. The saloon is no longer an emblem Of hospitality in
Memphis, or a measure of culture and spiritual development. The
Auditorium will be a more powerful magnet and it will attract
in large volume better elements.