Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1916-01-12
MUNICIPAL BUILDING
PROJECT DISCUSSED
Business Mems Meeting Gets
Busy on Civic improvements.
f. &. DOudna, Speaker OF Evening,
Tells Of RichIand Center Auditor
ium-Up to City Council Soon.

The committee in charge OF the
program Friday evening meeting OF
ne local business men did not disap-
point the large crowd of guests. Those
quests were there in huge numbers
and paid close attention to the remarks
Of Mr.. p. G.. Doudna, the speaker OF
the evening. Mr. Doudna is pr1ncl-
nal of the Richland school system and
also chairman of the municipal audit
orium committee. Mr.. Doudna pref
aced his remarks by saying that he
had no intention of making a speech
and the audience must not expect any
oratory. This was very modest way
of putting it for Mr.. DOudna impressed
every one as an excellent speaker;
) uuiet and common, but forcible and Ell
'ectiye. His remarks were right to
The point.
The speaker touched first on the 10
cation of Richland Center and told
something about the town. Richland
is about the size of Lancaster. but has
a higher property valuation about
81 900 900 The tax rate is "a mills
but this is because the city pays one
eighth of the total tax in the county.
The school district was bonded sew
eral years ago for a new high school
plant which cost 100000. The high
school enrolment has increased SO
scholars since the new building was
erected. many of them coming from
outside The city owns its own light
plant, water works and rock quarry.
Mr.. Doudna spoke of Kenilworth,
Ill. where a high school, city hall and
library are located in one group
unite a saving when operating ex-
Dense is considered This is not the
situation at Richland Center, however.
1909 may be said to be the inception
Of the municipal building idea at Rich
land Center. Then Mrs. Minor, pub
lie spirited woman, offered two lots
of ground to be used for municipal
purposes at S4,000-$1 900 less than
their actual value. Some local bus
mess men asked the council to accept
this offer and guaranteed $1,000 an
nually toward the expenses of build
ing. The city council, after consider
able discussion accepted Mrs. Minors
offer.
AT a special election in the summer
of 1910 the city, by majority OF "A
votes. decided to bond itself for S25,-
600. 1t afterwards voted by MAORI
ty of 1O4 to increase the indebtedness
to $4,000. The bonds were sold at
a slight premium and draw per cent
interest. plan was provided by Mr..
BENTLEY. a La Crosse architect, which
called for a club room for the wOmen's
civic leagues and another room for
the commercial club. The plan also
DrODOsed a council room and an audit
orium capable of seating 92S persons,
46x27 TT. stage and modern system OF
heating. lighting and ventilating.
The building was completed March,
1913 at a total cost of S55,000. The
additional $4,000 beyond the bond is
sue has been carried along with the
general fund since that time, but will
ultimately be arranged for.
To handle the auditorium a group OF
business men leased the building.
They turned the management over to
a committee which hired manager
at a salary of $25 a month. They
agreed to turn over the net receipts
and make up any deficit under $1,000
year.
The auditorium is used free OF
charge by entirely public meetings
which are not operated for profit, such
IS graduation exercises, farmers in
;titutes. memorial services and such
ike. Strictly home talent affairs are
.harged a low rate and travelling COM
,anies pay 20 per cent gross proceeds.
Summed up the committee has been
making gross nearly $1,000 yearly
rom the auditorium. They have
urned in about $4,000 yearly to the
itv which is more than enough to re-
ire each bond of S1,750 as it falls due
early. This year the business is the
est yet and fair week alone Melted
1000. The city has been paying the
lterest which is gradually decreasing
the bonds are amOrtized.
The committee in charge endeavors
have at least four high class at
FACTIONS yearly and numerous others
lesser value Mr.. DOudna believes
lat the auditorium affords the youth
the city amusement and serves to
eep the young people at home.
In the round table discussion that
.,llOwed the project was discussed at
myth. George Baxter made motion
hich was moved and seconded that
" present committee consisting OF
ert Schreiner, Henry Henkel and r.
:. Adams be instructed to go before
he city council and ask that steps be
AIKEN toward providing a municipal
uiIding. This committee Will also
btain data and information from var
JUS cities that have erected buildings.
he city at the present time has no
lnded Indebtedness. On its assessed
,luatfon of $2.3OO,OOO it Will be pos
Die to bond it for about $4,000 on
per cent.
1t seemed to be the sentiment OF the