The daily Alaska citizen., 1920-01-25

ly and delight the children with his legerdemain: the Howard company which played a season here and whose leading man, Robert Mckim, is now a popular movie actor and was seen on the screen at Thornes few nights ago in the part of a German spy disguised as Spanish nObleman the Ray Roberts com pany, which played here two sea sons in succession. the Royal com pany, the Cleveland Buresque com pany; and the Juvenile Bostonians who used to come every other year until war conditions interfered. And then there was poor old Charlie Fay Tor, one-time husband of the now famous Laurette Taylor, who under estimated the theatrical standards of the camp and made the mistake of bringing in a company of cheap transformers which promptly went on financial rocks after the first nights performance.
 The old hall has housed the annual fairs and bazaars given by the Vari- ous churches and which used to be such banner social events Here was given the big banquet in honor of the commissioners sent in by the President to investigate the report upon the feasibility of giving us a railroad, and here was held the grand jubilee when the news of the pass ing of the railroad bill reached us. 1t will be sad indeed if the grand old building is not still here to furnish the setting for the celebration to be held in honor of the driving of the last spike when the railroad is fin ished
 The Auditorium is so interwoven with the history of the camp that the tearing of it away will leave a rent in the fabric that can never be repaired, and is certain to induce a psychological reaction detrimental to the spirit of optimism which is so necessary to be maintained during these temporary dull times. There is no other hall that can take it's place in the civic life of the camp. With it's adequate seating capacity, it's large stage, cOmmOdiOus dressing rooms, scenery and equipment, am pie cloak rooms, the balcony, the large front room on the ground floor, and the supper room on the second floor it is admirably suited for any large affair that may come up. No other hall has the seating capacity, the floor space and general convent ences necessary for handling large crowd. There are other halls suit able for small dances, but the passing of the Auditorium will leave no place for the big events, nor for home talent or professional shows, as none of the other halls will hold the crowds that turn out on such OCCa- sions, even with our at present de pleted population. Thorne's theatre is the next best place, but recent experience has shown that a feature film, or any unusual offering, will have Dick hanging up the s. R. o. sign within fifteen minutes after the doors are opened and turning away hundreds of disappointed amusement seekers to wend their ways dejected- fly back to their firesides.
 The Auditorium has always been with us and we have taken it for granted, like the hills and the slough, and the snow, and have never given a thot as to who owned it, or why, nor cared nor considered whether it was a paying venture to the owners or not. As a matter of fact, of re- cent years, the owners have given the use of it free for all kinds of charitable and public affairs, while the paying amusement enterprises and dances have mostly hired the smaller halls. This, of course, can not go on forever, so the mortgage man, who has family to support and cannot hold up the institution all by himself for the benefit of the rest of us, must step in and recover what he can.
 Fairbanks will come back There is no question about it. And when the railroad is completed the the atrical companies that now play the coast towns every summer will come here for a side trip. Besides, the town will always need the Auditorium for it's local uses. II there is any possible way to save this historic and necessary building for the bene- fit of the camp it should be consider ed matter of public policy to do so. Either some of the lodges, or the city, or an organization of public spirited citizens, should endeavor to save the camp from the inconveni- ence, loss of prestige and disgrace of having this building torn down