The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1910-11-10
IMPORTANT MEETING
ON SATURDAY
OF Vital Interest To
All Our Citizens
Nearly Every Business Man Says Pro-
position Should Be Opposed.

Every voter In SkoWhegan should
plan to attend the special town meet
ing called for p. m. Saturday to con-
slider once more, the proposition to
lease the Opera house for a moving
picture show. At that time the select
men will submit the facts that have
guided them in forming their opinion
Of this project, and the question
should then be settled definitely and
on its merits.
The feeling has become quite gen.
eral that the Opera house has been
too much devoted 10 high priced
shows, but this suggestion to Man
ager SWEET brings out the informa-
ton that good line of popular priced
attractions has been booked for the
coming season. Furthermore he says
that he can introduce both moving
pictures and vaudeville whenever the
selectmen consent. This suggests the
idea that if moving pictures and vau-
deyille are what is wanted, then it
would be better for them to be run
under town management rather than
by lessee. This would permit try
ing these features out before making
any long time contract
At the special town meeting last
month, large proportion of the vot-
ers left the hall before this article in
the warrant was taken up, and the
vote at that time can hardly be con-
sdered as representing public sehti-
ment. But it was unquestionably the
sense of that meeting that the Opera
house should be leased The select
men would probably have been in
structed TO that effect, if the adyo-
Gates of this project had understood
parliamentary procedure
The debate opened upon motion
to pass over that article in the war
rant. The motion was lost by a sub
stantial majority E. n. Merrill then
secured the floor and with the OBJ
seryation that it was evidently the
sense of the meeting that the Opera
House be leased, moved that the mat
ter be left in the hands of the select
men 1t WIS a clever move, and the
majority promptly fell into the trap.
several attempts were made to amend
this motion. but each was ruled out
81 order by the chair, and the original
motion .in L.
the situation right back to where ii
WIS before the meeting was called.
The Selectmen have not felt that the
facts justified them in leasing the
property, except under instructions
from meeting largely enough attend
ed to be representative. Advocates
of the lease have notified them how
ever, that they should petition tor an
other meeting If the lease was not
executed, while the opponents have
announced similar course If any
move towards leasing was made. Tn
der the circumstances the selectmen
decided to call the meeting anyway,
give the voters all the facts obtain
able. and let the question be settled
Meanwhile they have asked for bids
from several show managers. and
have made inquiries that will enable
them to give an accurate estimate of
the extra expense involved. The
thing for each man to do is turn out
hear the facts, and then bury the
question where ii will stay The
meeting will be lively one. and the
man who stays away takes chances
on regretting it later.
Skowhegan has one of the best NUM-
cipal buildings that can be found in
New England. II is ever winning
praise from everybody and those who
have come here from other states
pronounce it credit to the town. 1t
Was built for a municipal home for
the citizens of Skowhegan Now that
a meeting is to be called to see if
the town will lease it for motion pic
ture shows and vaudeville acts nearly
every business man on the streets
rises up in opposition. Men who pay
the heaviest taxes, who are assessed
more because of the debt of this
building consider it with pride
They reason that enough mon
ey, no matter what the building is
leased for. cannot be realized in any
one year or years to offset the depre
citation and the detacing of the build
ing that will be caused by the CON
tinuous use in this way. If it is used
even for one year for this purpose
it would take far more to replace it
in the good looking shape that it is
in now and there is doubt if it could
ever be restored to have its present
appearance. There is another phase.
1t has always been considered that
children going TO school should not
have their minds turned too much
away from their studies. Some of the
best men of the town say that to have
the main public building of the town
opened for motion pictures and lyau-
deville shows for the school children
to resort to would be a serious mis-
take.
1t is the duty of every citizen to
attend this town meeting. The ques-
ton is an important one. 1t means
something to every person and 1t is
believed that, If they vote intelligent
ly nothing but the best results will