The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1925-02-05
A GREAT CIVIC NEED.

It is admitted that there are well defined
limits to which the expenditure Of public funds
may go and that it is unWise to go over estab-
lished limits and unfair to extend these limits,
but Kenosha would be rendered wonderful
service if some plan could be worked out for
the erection of a great municipal auditorium
in the city. Other cities, with even lesser
need then Kenosha for such an institution
have worked out ways to build them and it is
just possible that if the proper study of the
problem would be given by the officials OF the
city some plan could be found to meet this
crying need of Kenosha.
The lake front park at the foot of Wiscon-
sin street offers a wonderful site for such an
auditorium. There is abundant room for the
location of such building there without the
slightest interference with any future use
which might be made Of this property. Abund-
ant site space offers provisions for public rec
reaton ground about the building, there is
plenty of room to provide parking space and
safe parking space for automobiles and the
property is set off from the other property in
the neighborhood in manner which would in
sure against any complaint from neighbors.
This great open space is large enough to pro-
vide wonderful indoor and outdoor play
ground for the people of Kenosha
ium. Kenosha must get along without an an
nual automobile show, it cannot have a display
of the poultry of the city and county, there is
no place in which to hold farmers institute
and no place in the city where gathering of
two thousand people may be held. j
Distinguished leaders of the political life
of the state and nation who come to Kenosha
to discuss great public problems must speak
from soap box on a corner or from the steps
of the library building.
Kenosha business suffers losses every year
on account of the fact that it is impossible
to hold these great meetings for trade stimu-
lation. Kenosha people lose lot of the fun
there is in life because they have no place to
stage big indoor and outdoor athletic meets.
OF course such an auditorium and the proper
development of the grounds about it would
probably cost a hundred thousand dollars, but
it is certain that some of this money would
be returned to the city every year in actual
cash and lot more would be returned in bene-
fits conferred upon the people
Such an auditorium and recreation center
owned by the city and under the direct man
agement of the city would go long ways to-
ward solving the question of regulation of
public dances. This great floor could be opened
or many nights in month with the under
standing that the dances would be properly
supervised by city officials and the city would
be directly responsible fol-, the conduct of them.
Thousands of parents in Kenosha would feel
an assurance that they could permit their
children to attend parties at this place with
out submitting them to the ever increasing
dangers of the unregulated public dance halls.
The proposition is one which should be given
the most careful consideration by the officials
of the city 1t is not "some fool suggestion
to spend money, but a big constructive PROPOSE
ton for the advancement of the business,
social and cultural interests of all the people
of the city. Such a building would appeal
strongly to every class of people in the city.
1t could easily be made great properly con-
trolled melting pot for the complex population
of Kenosha, and while it might never prove
self-supporting, it would bring benefits which
would be worth vastly more than the expend-
ture.
Undoubtedly many public spirited men Of
the city who recognize the need of such an in
stitution for Kenosha would be glad to aid the
city in any temporary plans which might be
necessary to carry out this proposition in the
way of raising the money and providing for the
repayment of it in small annual payments