The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-12-04

make arrangements to meet 1t. But
we do no hold meetings merely be-
cause places can be found in which
to hold them. If We have anything
to e about. and wish to meet. We
seek meeting places. The school
house may be the best place to meet.
or it may not. That depends on the
character Of the building. it's location.
the kind Of meeting. and a number Of
other things. The whole thing is
largely a matter of convenience. In
country districts the school houses are
usually the most convenient places
for public gatherings of all kind. and
they are commonly used for that pur-
pose. In the village some public hall
may be a much more convenient place,
and if it is it would be folly to insist
that the school building be used in
preference. Some parts Of some cities
are so situated that the school build
ings are the most suitable for local
gatherings. while in others they would
not answer the purpose nearly as we'll
as a down town ROOM. In that case
common sense would indicate that the
down town O is the best place to
meet. No general rule concerning the
use Of school buildings for social cen-
ter purposes can be laid down for the
conditions in each city. and in each
part Of each city, are peculiar to IT.
self.
1t is undeniable that great things
can be accomplished through the
agency of the schools in the cultiva-
ton of a n%eighborly spirit among the
people. Parents Of the children can
be brought together in a social or
semi-social way, and familiarized with
each other. n with the work OF the
schools. to the benefit Of all. But this
particular class of work is outside the
realm of what is generally considered
under the head Of social center work.
When that subject is under discussion
what is usually meant is such things
as the organization of clubs. the car
rying on Of public meetings. various
features Of amusement, and. in short.
the turning of the school house into
a sort of neighborhood club building.
Whether or not there is need for that
particular sort Of activity depends on
the conditions. not only in that par
ticular city. but in the immediate
neighborhood of that particular build
ing. What would be successful in one
city would be out Of place in another.
and that for which there is a crying
need in one end OF own may easily
be a dismal failure in another. No
argument is needed to prove the en-
cellence Of plany of the things that
the social center workers are trying
to bring out. The development OF the
n%eighborly spirit, the discussion of
public problems, sane and healthful
amusement. all these are things of
such universally recognized excellence
that it is a waste of time to argue
about them. But the best means of
bringing all these things about. the
agencies to be employed in promoting
them, the places where the work may
best be Performed. whether in the
school house, the church. the home
or the town hall, are matters which
are governed by location. density of
population, community habits. and
special community needs. as we'll as
a multitude of other things concerning
which no CONGRATULATIONS are possible.
The problems Of each community are
it's own. and are to be settled by and
for itself in the light of its w needs
and according to Its own equipment.
In most of these respects the things
that other communities have done are
worthless as models for us to copy.
The experience of other communities
may. II Discriminatory studied be OF
immense valuc to US in shedding light
on our own problems and aiding US
to solve them in the way which shall
appear best for us.