The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1917-06-28
LEASE OPERA HOUSE
AS n TAEATlR
Town Meeting Saturday
Decides Question
Question Discussed Freely. Many
Fa,or Idea of Town Managing Theatre


The principal question at issue dur
ing the special town meeting, held Sat
prdav afternoon, had to do with the
leasing of the Municipal building for
moving pictures and vaudeville. After
a rather heated discussion it was voted
TO lease the building for this purpose
There were few voters present
about $50 in the aggregate, but what
was lacking in numbers was more
than accounted for in spirited argu-
ment. Many didn't want to let the
city building for moving pictures and
were not afraid to express the why's
and wherefores. Many others thought
the scheme good one, hence the
arguments.
Prior to the opening of the meeting,
l.. L. Walton was elected moderator
Scarcely had ceremonies opened than
J. P Thibodeau entered a motion to
raise the sum of $500 by loan or other
wise. to aid in completing the $50 feet
of macadam road on North Avenue.
The motion was carried. Upon mo-
ton OF L. L. Sandford 1t was voted to
raise the sum Of $1,000 to construct a
road from a point opposite the Almon
Sandford homestead to the Canaan
road for distance of 1885 feet. First
Selectman, Clyde H. Smith, suggested
that the contract be let to the lowest
bidder as the road commissioner had
about all he could tend to at the pres
ent time. This suggestion was car
ried out.
Next followed the momentous ques-
ton, that of leasing the Opera House,
Judge Fred F. Lawrence advanced the
theory that it would be an excellent
thing for the town to lease the Opera
House. maintaining that it would
create a constant source of revenue
and that it would be to the advantage
of the townspeople to have a we'll
ventilated theatre to attend. He made
motion that the selectmen be allow
ed to lease the building on such terms
which would in their judgment, be for
the best interests of the town.
Bin W Page did not agree with the
argument presented by Mr.. Lawrence.
He claimed the Opera House was the
only place where the townspeople
could assemble in large numbers. AS
he viewed it the constant use for NOV
ing pictures would injure its appear
anca and freshness. He believed the
town could we'll afford to keep it for
occasional large gatherings as in the
past A X Butler and others sup
ported Mr.. Page energetically in this
sentiment.
First Selectman, Clyde II. Smith,
stated that at a town meeting Nov
enber s, 1910, the matter of leasing
for moving pictures was left to the
Selectmen. He spoke of the cost of
maintaining the city building and of
the fact that $500 was needed at once
for repairs He Furthermore stated
that an out of town concern had Of
fered $4,000 a year for the building
With an agreement that the town
should have it on any occasion after
2i-hour notice. Pictures would be
of the best and bond would be given
TO the effect that the hall would be as
good at the expiration of the lease as
when it was taken.
Carleton p Merrill declared he was
sorry to use the hall as a moving pic
ture house but that if the town SO de-
sired he would be glad to be one of a
syndicate to get a company to run 1t
for the profit of the town. At this
point the question was put and 1t was
voted to lease the building according
to the motion of Judge Lawrence.
After considerable argument 1t was
agreed to issue but one license for
moving picture theatres in Skowhe-
gan. The matter of raising money for
repairs was passed over, 1t being
thought that rentals would be suffl-
cieht To pay for repairs.
By action at the town meeting Sat
urday, Skowhegan will have but one
theatre but according to plans created
by the town this theatre will be up to
date in every respect, well lighted and
ventilated and theatre showing only
the best of pictures and producing the
best vaudeville