The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-02-17
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS,
!: PUBLIC OPINION /:
s.94.s..Ma.M.1Has.xsgss.st
To the Editor

To the Editor
In the discussion Of the proposition
to erect n place Of public entertain
ment ia connection with the proposed
City Hall by the City Of Crystal Falls
"A number OF citizens have asked me for
my views This being u subject in
which the people OF Crystal Falls have
general concern. l take il that the
views OF every citizen are of more or
less interest to the public and therefore
offer mine through your columns
am against the proposal 10 put the
City OF Crystal Falls into the theatrical
business | do not believe in the
municipal theatrical business because,
first, il is unlawful under our Charter .
and, second. because / am eternally
opposed TO Socialism. do not desire
the City to engage an attorney TO
transact the general private business
OF the public for the reason that | be-.
lieve that IL Is my right in common
with my fellow practitioners to prac-
tice my profession in Legitimate way
for private gain. untrammelled by the
competition OF the City of Crystal
Falls as municipal unit.
Believing that my fellow citizen has
the same rights as possess, be he rich
or poor am unalte-ably opposed to a
municipal meat market. a municipal
dry goods store or municipal black
smith shop
IL the butcher, the baker, and the
candle-stick IN aker is TO be protected
from municipal competition. can see
no reason why the same should not ap-
ply to the owner and manager of
house for public amusement. It 40
happens that we have in Crystal Falls
an opera house, that prior 10 the recent
unfortunate fire, was a credit to a city
Of this size. I am advised that ii is 10
be re-habilitated Its owner has spent
large sums OF money in the renovation
and decoration OF the place. Ita beau
tifui exterior is decided ornament to
Superior Avenue and in my personal
judgment. his expenditure was not
warranted 10y his business prospects. ri
have never talked with him about his
enterprise or about the municipal opera
house. bnt know enough about him
TO appreciate that he is entitled TO !
square deal and should not be harrassed |
in MS private undertaking by public /
competition.
am against a municipal opera |
house oi other municipal place OF on.
tertainment, for the reason. further,
that such place will. so long as human
nature continues as il is. be controlled
and operated TO suit the pleasures and
OF the official CLIQUE
which happens from time 60 time 10 he
In control OF our city government.
The place OF entertainment will he
built with the dollars which have been
from the taxpayers. great and
small but IL will be conducted 10 snit
the whims and desires OF such select
lew ss shall from time 90 time he IN
he favor OF the city administration.
That great class of taxpayers who con
iribute Ten Dollars or less annually to ,
he burdens OF government. as is well {
'nown. are paying more IN proportion
o what they own than ore the more {
ortunate citizens who pay greater ag-
gregate sums in taxes. This Ten Dol. I
ar class is the great working class OF
'ur community. Under the high cost I
4 living many OF them find il difficult /
o support their families and pay the '
axes which are exacted from them. 1
They have no Surplus money 90 pay I
oliar and a halt or two dollars or
ome other snm for seat 40 an enter.
given by Madam Schumarn. p
ieink or some other celebrity who has 4