Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-06-23
THE AUDITORIUM EIIEur1oN.

The people Of Grand Forks will vote next Monday
on the question Of purchasing the auditorium on
Fifth street for the use OF the city, The subject h one
which has been under discussion for n long time. and II
Is Of vital importance to Grand Forks. The history Of
the auditorium is a somewhat complicated one. The
building was erected years ago by the Oratorio Society
which had departed from its original function Al 4 must
cal organization; and embarked upon q building enterprise
which it was not properly equipped to handle. There
resulted a number of transactions In the way of stock
issues. mortgages, guarantees. etc. which were entered
upon for the purpose of protecting the investment and
making possible the continuation OF the building a :
public convenience. An attempt to trace all OF these
transactions would be confusing and would not be In the
slightest degree useful. Those who originally invested
money in. the project have long since donated it and the
voter need not concern himself with them.
The present situation is exceedingly simple. The build
ing, II reproduced now would cost IS to 10 thousand doll
lars. Five or six thousand dollars more will make all
the repairs necessary to put it in hrst class condition. By
the payment Of the sum asked. seventeen thousand and
some odd dollars, the city OF Grand Forks may acquire
title to the property with no incumbrances and no claims
of any kind outstanding against it. That looks like q
good investment, provided the city needs this or any
similar property. IL go
. The auditorium is the only building in Grand Forks
in which a large meeting can be held. 1t is the only
building in Grand Forks capable Of seating an audience
which would warrant the appearance here Of musical
and other artists such as those who have visited the city
from time to time during the past year. 1t is the only
building which we have in which there can be held a
winter fair, a spring indoor carnival, an automobile show,
a stock judging demonstration. or other agricultural gath
ering, similar in character; or the annual convention Of a
large state body. With the doors OF the auditorium closed
by its utilization for ordinary commercial purposes, the
city would be destitute Of a place in: which to house
any one of a score Of gatherings profitable and desirable,
and which are absolutely essential il Grand Forks Is to.
retain its position as 4 state center, and II its,industries
and its commercial interests are to be maintained. The
possession Of such . building is necessary to the welfare
Of the merchant and professional man, and the laborins
man whose Job whese daily wages depend upon the
prosperity Of the. community
All that rs necessary to. insure the city the permanent
possession OF this building is an Affirmative vote at the
election on Monday. The enterprise can be financed
without any difficulty, all that is necessary being the
authorization of such financing by the voters. The city
commission is ready to proceed and awaits only the af-
verdict of the people.
The purchase Of this properly at the merely nominal
price for which it can be acquired has been recommended
organizations Of the city which have quarters therein,
and is approved generally by all thoseswho have studied
the subject with any degree Of care and who understand
just what 1t means. The Heralds suggestion is that IN
considering this question the voter ignore entirely the
figures which have been involved in the past
history Of the property and which have now no bearing
on the situation, and conhne himself to a consideration
Of the question whether or not it is desirable for the
city Of Grand Forks to purchase at less than one-third
Of its actual value such a piece of property which Is
needed for so many uses and for which there is now and
will be for years to come. no satisfactory substitute. we
are confident that II the subject be considered on this
basis the vote cast next Monday, will be Overwhelmingly
in the Affirmative. 8s##a -