The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1915-06-25
Entered at the postoffice at Black
foot, Idaho, as second class matter.
CHAUTAUQUA COMING HERE

Blackfoot can have itself included
in the chautauqua circuit for next
June If it's people wish it. A chau-
tauqua is an educational treat last
ing week, and consists of lectures,
musical and other entertainments by
the best talent the land affords, 1t
is handled by bureau that sends out
the speakers on circuit and keeps
one good thing following another in
each town for the seven days for
which engagement is made. The ex-4
penses of the work are handled in
such way that they are reduced to
a minimum, and are only fraction
of what such an effort would cost If
handled separately. The bureau sup
plies a large tent for each town
where suitable hall cannot be had,
and several thousand persons can be
accommodated. Folding chairs go
with the tent, and carload of ap-
paratus is placed upon the ground
at comparatively low cost and all
moved away when the engagement
closes. A superintendent goes with
the car and has charge of all the
entertainments. In this way 81 high
class entertainments such as one us
ually finds only in the cities, are
brought to any village or city where
there is business enough to justify it.
The citizens are required to guar
antee a couple of thousand dollars
in admissions, and this is generally
done by the local people going out
and selling season tickets in advance.
The sale of thousand season tickets
at $3.50 each gives fund of $500,
and large number of admissions
during the week at from 35 to rs
cents doubles the fund. The amount,
of course varies with the size of the
town and the desire of it's people to
get something good in entertainment.
Blackfoot and surrounding country
could easily support the chautauqua,
and it would bring such lasting bene-
fits in its educational and moral up
lift, and would satisfy so many peo-
pie who would otherwise make long
trips and extended visits to get just
such things, it would build up the
community and keep money from
going away.
1t is true the chautauqua takes
money away directly, in salaries paid
to the speakers and to the bureau,
but 1t also brings those same persons
to town to spend some money, and it
attracts people for the week to the
town where the entertainments are
given. 1t makes for better things in
every way. attracts better settlers,
helps to make those contented who
are here and gives higher ideals to
all who attend The parents an
business men of Blackfot should get
in communication with the bureau
that is making contracts for neigh
boring towns for 1916. and should
secure contract while the oppor-
tunity is open. II 20 or 80 leading
men and women of the community
make the engagement, Its provisions
will be carried out when the time
comes, and the whole community will
thank those who took the respon-
sibility. N
We shall expend as much on the
Fourth of July as the chautauqua
would cost, and the keen fun and;
substantial benefits will compare sub
stantially in favor Of the chautauqua,
but we should have both. The COM
munity will expend infinitely more
on the fair than the chautauqua w'll
cost, and the fun and benefits will
be vastly different. We can have
both, but the community is over
looking a good thing If 1t neglects
the chautauqua. 1t is something diff
ferent. 1t is something better, and
the community needs it. One of the
best assurances that the community
will support the chautauqua with a
liberal patronage is the fact that
large number of citizens very firmly
objected to allowing the carnival
company to stop in town, and many
others expressed regret about their /
not coming, because they said, some !
thing is needed. They are right on
both sides; we need something, and
we do not need to make any blunders |,
in selection.