Perth Amboy evening news., 1919-08-20

warrant, the FUNDS for memOrla
buildings may be raised by a combin-
alton of popular subscription an6
public funds. In many cases where
the popular subscription method is
being employed, the city council OF
county commission has been invited
to subscribe under the same terms
as private contributors. In one in
stance, the total amount to be raised
is being divided into three equal parts
one-third will be furnished by the
county, one-third by the city. and
one-third by popular subscription.
EQUIPMENT
AS a general rule, the costs of con
struction and equipment are COM
bined, and the funds for the joint
purpose secured at one time. The
equipping of the building, however,
offers a unique opportunity for special
memorial features. Even in the case
where construction funds are raised
by taxation it may be found desir-
able to accept popular contributions
for a large part of the equipment.
Certainly some provision should be
made for gifts from those who de-
sire to commemorate f1ttingly a rela-
tive or friend. These gifts may be in
the form of money to be used in the
equipping of some special room, or in
the form of appropriate paintings, or
QUIET uGllflile memorial features. II
lodges, societies and other organiza-
lions desire to recognize the services
of their members by special m
iialS. such an arrangement will be
found most practicable. For example,
the Camp Fire Girls may desire to
raise funds for the construction of
a large open fireplace; the local art
society may. contribute a group of
mural painting or appropriate pieces
of sculpture.
A special committee on equipment
and furnishings should be detailed to
develop this feature and c~o-relate
such contributions so is to avoid dup
location of effort and insure the prop
er harmony.
MAINTENANCE
The method of securing funds for
construction and equipment will de-
termine to some extent the source
of maintenance. Yet some other
factors will enter, chief of which will
be the revenue derived from the use
of the building. This in urn de-
ponds upon the nature of the build
ing and the purposes to which 1t will
be put.
1.-Revenue From Buildings
(a) Rents.-If the building is to
become the headquarters of various
patriotic, civic, art, literary or dra-
matte societies, the rem charged for
office room and the use of the audi
forum will largely, if not entirely,
solve the problem. Then, too, the
various facilities may be rented for
special occasions. This will apply
particularly to the auditorium for
concerts and other public gatherings,
the gymnasiums and halls for dane
ing parties, and the banquet room for
private purposes. In many cases the
local chamber of will make
its headquarters in the building, and
the secretary of this association may
serve as general custodian of the
building. In other communities the
building may be under the control of
the local post of the American Le-
gion, or OF the local community ser
vice organization, where a similar ar
rangement may work out.
In a large humber of cities the
community building will doubtless be
definitely linked up with the public
school program, so as to permit the
~recreational facilities to serve as a
gymnasium for school children. In
such cases the renting of the COM
munity house to the school authori-
ties will go a toward solving the
maintenance problem.
! (b) Fees.-Fees may be charged
for gaming privileges. as, for example
bowling alleys and billiard and poo,
tables. Nominal fees may also bt
charged for adult gymnasium classes
and use of the tennis courts and othel
playground facilities used by tn.
~grown-ups. AS a rule, there shoult
be no direct charge for children, an(
where the school board does not pro
vide for them, some other mean'
should be utilized.
(c) Profits and Concessions
Many community houses, when con
Quoted by a working organization, will
maintain r~efreshment facilities, sucl
as soda fountains, cigar and cand,
stands and cafes In such cases tn,
the maintenance expenses. In othe
instances these concessions may b.
sublet to private parties at appropri
ate charges.
2. Popular Subscription
Maintenance funds may be provided
or augmented by popular subscrip
ton. which may be secured by any o
three methods or a combination
thereof.
(a) ANIMAL Membership Dues
There is a danger in the membership
, idea, as those who are not invited
or for other reason feel left out
may be the very one most in nee,
of the fellowship and services pro
vided by the community house. B,
taking special care to make the or
! ganization democratic, however, thi
objection can be overcome.
(b) Some communities are plan
: ming to conduct annual drives 70
!, maintenance funds, similar to tn
: Red Gross and other war fund drives
!. Such a method, while perhaps serv
ing to keep alive community Interest
! contains an element of possible risl
/, in hat the enthusiasm may wan
!, during the course OF years, and som
, more systematic method may con
J mend itself from q business view
| point.
/ (c) The living endowment plal
J is finding hearty endorsement /
) many cases. Let us explain TIL
method by illustration: Surprising
/. is found hat an annual budget G
: $4,000 Is needed. If money will yiel
: require an actual permanent endow
l ment of 500. 600 to provide an an
{ nual income of $4,000. To raise sue
. an endowment fund at h time c
5 the drive for the construction of tn
: building is seldom advisable, if, in
!, deed, possible. Again, the existence {
: such an endowment large enough t
support all activities removes fror
4 the community house project the ele
inert OF democracy, as it makes tn
users of the community house priv
: leges the beneficiaries OF those VIII
' contributed the endowment it estat
fishes a patronage hat end I
thwart the impulse to pay ones wa,