The Harrison times., 1912-03-09
CAN SAVE BY COOPERATION
Interesting Narrative Of Experiences
Of One Community In Washington
entertainments Pay.

On July 4, 1910, the citizens of our
community in Nellita, Washington
met in a grove and organized the Pio-
neers' association, The membership
comprised twelve men-four bachel-
ors and eight heads Of families-al-
most the entire population within a
radius Of four miles, writes Joel Sho'
maker in the Country Gentleman,
Our public schoolhouse was three
miles from the place Of meeting ana
the voting booths four miles, through
roadless forest. SO we decided to
build q hall to be used for entertain
ments picnics, conventions and other
community purposes.
Ten days after the organization OF
the Pioneers, we had two OF our mem
bers working on the foundation OF q
building so by so feet They were
paid 81 $50 and SO a day, the funds be-
ing raised by an assessment OF $40
on each member, the money to be con'
sidored loan without interest untN
the income Of the hall should return
the investment The membership OF
tho association consisted Of mIlloWn'
ers who furnished the lumber on cred
It, one merchant who supplied DOORS
windows, roofing and other material
farmers, city payroll men and gen
era laborors.
The new hall was completed and
dedicated September fourth, the first
entertainment producing over $3.50, or
enough to pay the worklngmen and
leave a balance in the treasury 1t
has floor space Of $500 square feet,
was we'll built, with piles driven on
the waterfront for foundation, and
was considered the most modern hall
of the kind within sixty miles, 1t cost
the association about 5000, Then a
player.plano was put in at an expense
Of $500, payable IN monthly Install
ments Of SIS, and the work OF max
ing the property pay for itself was
begun.
At the end Of the first year the Or
iglnal building bill had been reduced
to small item, and the piano &C
count cut in two, The committee In
charge Of affairs had so managed
them that the hall receipts agregat'
cd almost 500 a month from the date
OF opening. The entertainments were
patronized by people living rs far as
twenty miles away, and many even
ings the crowd numbered above two
hundred, Such figures suggest the
query; How could twelve men build
a hall, without cash, and make II pay
for itself In one year2
Tho business Of tho association 10
handled by board Of three members,
known as tho entertainment commit
tee, Members Of that board serve
one, two and three months; the cleo
ton Of new one Is THUG necessitated
at every monthly meeting Of the asso-
citation, That committee takes care
Of all receipts, paying the money to
the treasurer and dIsposing Of all
bills. II employs two musicians at
Sj each an evening, supplies fuel oil
and other necessities and settles tho
accounts without tho aid Of the osso-
cIatlon
Two entertainments are given every
month and a charge Of Sl,2b Is made
for all the men 70 cover tho cost OF
tIclots Of admission and supper All
members pay this whether they at.
tend or not, thereby creating an an.
nual fund OF S369 Eight women,
wives Of the members, provide the
suppcrB and are to do so without com.
ponsoton untIl the original building
indebtedness has been wiped out,
Thon other arrangements for supper
serving are 20 be made 70 relieve tho
wives and daughters Of members, The
association arranges for all holiday
entertainments, making no charge for
tho hail. and providing for necessary
rIfroshmcntB and fireworks, Funds
for such purposes are not collected
by donation, but are taken from the
treasury Of the association, Thus
tho celebration Of Independence day
with It's fireworks at night, Christmas
with Its tree Thanksgiving with itB
supper, and other eyontful occasions,
are duly carried out and funds pro.
yided without any begging, soliciting
or gcheming 90 get money
! . z-,aaH 80 ~ AaI- -AHEA