The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-12-03
THE ARMORY PROBLEM

THE ARMORY PROBLEM
There is a good old maxim tina
says Speak we'll of all or not at all,
and newspaper is expected to keel
this in mind in publishing matter re-
lating to the social and business at
fairs of the town.
We have often been impelled Il
say things about the Armory with 8
vew of bringing about better condi
tions, and have generally felt thai
there were perfectly proper reasons
why we should hold our peace and
let things take their course. We fee,
that a crisis has now been reached
in its affairs, and we present a review
of the situation SO the public may
see what is needed and consider the
means Of remedy.
Several years ago we published an
article prepared by some of the ma
litia company asking people to take
stock in the Armory company SO the
town might have a building suited to
its needs In which to hold entertain
ments. drill Its MALTA, carry on ath-
letic sports, have reading room, baths
etc. Many people responded, and part
of the things outlined became a real
ity. But there is generally difference
in the picture that Ia drawn and the real
ity when 1t takes material form, and
for want Of funds the Armory was
never really finished SO as to have 1t
warmed with a reasonable amount of
fuel. A number Of old heating stoves
were bought at auction when the
county sold Its stoves after installing
its steam heating plant, the stove
pipes were not all fitted so as to give
proper draft, the chimneys are not
high enough to draw well, the SCOT
has not always been kept out Of flues
and the cinder and ashes in the stoves
have usually been left from time to
time until the CRATES could not escape
melting and bowles varying If much
heat was generated.
The doors at the 'front.' are open so
much of the time during the even
ing that there is an intermittent rush
OF cold air from that source that
keeps the floor cold and is responsible
Under these conditions the Armory
was never SO we'll patronized as 1t was
hoped it would be, and notwithstand-
ing 1t received from $500 to $500 a
year from the government, 1t has not
been profitable to the stockholders,
and its credit Is impaired.
We are informed that some imple-
ment company Is now bidding for 1t
to use for their business, with some
prospect of getting 1t as soon as they
want 1t. The MALTA company has
been disbanded and the $500 a year
which the government has been pay
ing as rental, has been cut off.
SO much for conditions as they con-
front us. 1t now becomes plain that
If the public is to have a place of en-
tertainment. 1t must rise to the occas-
ion and provide It, We have con-
suited nobody as to the amount need
ed to put the building in proper con-
dition, but Blackfoot owes 1t to the
young people and those who are fond
OF entertainments. to provide place
for them. 1t will cost much less tc
improve the Armory than to put ur
new building after 1t has passed in.
to other hands. Then. too, there are
honest investments that ought to be
protected If possible. for the patriotic
fellows who bought Armory stock
are entitled to consideration.
If facts were available we have nc
doubt 1t could be shown that people
have lost enough through sickness
and exposure to finish the buildine
and put In good heating plant. !,
might also be shown that under such
improved conditions 1t would have
been well patronized and would have
been financial success. In thai
event we should now be listed as {
good show town. whereas we are suf
fering a reputation that keeps us OF
the other list. For example, good
singers who have appeared at tn,
Armory and met only fair audienc,
and taken a cold that kept them from
filling the next engagement woult
not come again If guaranteed a full
house. They could not afford to
Good troups in any line would fee
the same way about 1t and will seel
other towns where comfort Is found
II we put the building in good condi
ton 1t will take some time to over
come the reputation we have alread,
gained. but the longer this is put OF
the harder 1t vii be and nobobd,
doubts that a town the size OF Black
foot with It's boom days ahead OF |
will have some kind of an oper,
house-it cannot get along withou
It,
In this connection we wish to cal
attention to. the need Of the slopin,
floor. and as it is impractical to hav,
a good dancing floor where SO man
uses are made Of 1t, we believe tina
Progress Hall should ba mada to serv
the dancers for some time TO com an,
The Armory put in condition to Civ
satisfaction as an opera house.
MAY WOMEN WORK AT ELEC
TIONS?
An incident at BirminRham. Ala