Evening star., 1946-02-24
Need
Of Auditorium
Again Stressed
No action Taken
To Further Plan
For Building
By Alice Eversmon

Well, what about the auditorium
Washington needs SO badly? Moth
ing more has been done about it
and time is passing swiftly Re-
peatedly 1t has been agreed that a
proper place for presenting large
musical events is necessary and
that 1t can serve also for affairs
other than purely musical ones.
But the talk has not led to action
in a big way and the prospect of
accomplishment seems as far dis
tant as in the days when such a
plan never left the realm of
pleasant dream.
AS the musical season draws to
an end, the public must be more
and more convinced that facilities
for presenting events properly are
poor indeed. Constitution Hall has
served valiantly for all purposes as
lar as its construction permitted
and its dignity and charm have
added a special atmosphere. But it
is not the type of a hall that the
Nations Capital should have for
concerts and opera for its stage is
not adaptable for the latter or its
acoustics of the best.
Community Responsibility
While the whole country and es-
pecially its citizens is proud of the
leading place Washington has as
Sumed in world affairs, this leader
ship puts other responsibilities on
the community. 1t cannot remain
just political center but must be
known also as cultural one. This
status will be forced upon it pro-
gresslvely for the expansion of its
population and the type of people
who will congregate here more and
more will require it. Even now,
with all eyes turned toward the
Capital, the interest in its cultural
activities is widespread.
Is it necessary for our full de-
velopment to have a great deal of
music Of all kinds at the disposal
OF the citizens of this communitv2
Most civic leaders think so and have
co-operated by supporting and
planning in generous fashion. They
have thought of the children, of the
young people and the adults in
sponsoring the National Symphony
and have been regular patrons of
other musical events. The number
ot men who attended concerts was
very small few years ago but look
around the audience now and see
now many men have sought re-
freshment from their labors hy lis
tenlng to music. And many of
tnem occupy the highest posts in
the National Government.
Must Be Given Adeauafely
If we are to have music of the
best, it must be presented ade-
quately. 1t is laughable to think
that the Nations Capital would
sanction the giving of opera and
paHet as 1t is given under present
condltlonS when smaller cities do
SO much better. All over the coun-
Try the buildings that house con-
certS, operas and ballet are the
show places of the cities to which
every one points with pride. But not
IN Washington. Here we have mag
nlncent governmental edifices, beau
tl1ul art galleries, the noble Cap-
ltol, the historic White House. fine
ola trees, lovely vistas and parks
at every turn, but no building to
De called our temple of music.
At the anniversary concert of the
National Symphony, DR.. Kinder
spoke of his hope to have a home
Tor the orchestra that would house
also an opera auditorium and a
conservatory of music. Is that too
much to ask of the leading citv
OF the world? Do we not need to
nave music active in our midst, to
nave ideals for its pronunciation and
oetterment, to foster its growth
among the young, to stand as CITY
that believes in spiritual and cuI-
tural values?
We need a sport arena. perhans
and a place for conventions and
coVerage in bad weather for our
Dig ceremonials. But while sports
are valuable asset in civic life.
the others are but passing affairs
that leave no deep imprint on the
cultural aspects of a community
we have been doing our best for
many years, thankful to have what
we have. but this devotion deserves
reward. 1t can be bestowed by Wig
orous and united action toward the
erection OF monument of art. And
there Is no time like the present to
begin.