The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1919-11-07

ming pool. The memorial room in
some cases is known locally as the
Hall Of Fame, and in 1t are incorporat.
ed any war trophies as well as tablets
giving the names of men of the COM
munity who served in the war. The
building has featured the auditorium,
but it has managed to include great
many other features; nothing appears
to be omitted. In the basement are
bowling alleys, locker rooms, game
rooms etc.
This is very fine example Of
community memorial building for
town falling in the ten to thirty thou
sand population class.
There are many more county men,
orial buildings, for instance the Des
Moines county community building, at
Burlington, Iowa.
Many of the memorial buildings
have provided for removable seats in
assembly rooms and details are care,
fully thought out, such as having floors
so built that they may be raised to
form an inclined plane for an audi
torium or 1t may remain level, for
dancing, etc. Some have kitchens
The community building kitchen Of
fers an experimental center for all
sorts of demonstrations, dietary stud
les, etc. Community canning and SIM
liar activities suggest the community
kitchen.
Gets Large Support
Some of the best known names in
educational and artistic circles, as
well as people prominent in social
welfare work are included in the list
of the advisory committee and the
movement is receiving strong support
from artists throughout the country.
The aim is to make the memorial
building the home of the arts in the
community.
AS pointed out by the bureau it is
quite possible now that the committee
on memorial buildings represents
some of the greatest artistic interests
in the country, to get travelling art
exhibitions for even the smaller COM
munities. With proper facilities an
adequate place to show them, includ-
ing proper lighting, and with promise
of the right handling and care, paint.
ing and statuary and other forms of
art expression should be obtainable.
Chamber music will be brought
within reach of the people, too, and
with the big auditorium for mass sing
ing, 1t is expected that the arts will
receive big impetus throughout the
land. 81 "a,
In the case of the South Carolina
state memorial building committee,
the money has been actually .raised,
and the commencement of operations
is only delayed pending q decision as
to what form the memorial building
will take. The community is torn be-
tween state memorial hospital and
building to be erected in connec-
tiOn with the University of South Car.
olina. The latter would be univer.
sity building, memorial chapel and
college hall. State legislation has
provided for the erection OF this build.
ing, and simply the inability to decide
Is holding it up. 1t Is reported that
the idea for the hospital Is largely
favored by the returned men.
1t Is felt in many localities that the
war has stimulated reading and llbrar.
les have been brought to the atten.
tion OF tho communities as human,
democratic things. The A. l.. A. ma.
tional headquarters and the state II.
brary organizations are working to.
gether In some sections of the cOun,
try to cover the community with more
adequate library systems.
In certain sections of the south
particularly, the need OF books Is
great From one community comes
letter stating that the books furnish
ed for distribution among returned
soldiers were being read by all. 1t is
easy to understand the demand for q
library community building In such a
locality. In both the Carolinas, In
Tennessee, and Kentucky still exist
what are called moonlight schools,
and men and women of so and 60
tramp three and four miles at night
over some of the toughest mountain
trails. to get little education. II
is said they want to be able to read
their Bibles.
If these people can come to the
nearest town, eventually the commun
ity organization will reach out and
include them in its fold, and the small
est community will have its little
group.
The state OF Michigan has given it,
government support to the commun
ity memorial building movement. Dur
ing the war there was established tn,
Camp Custer community house, whlcl
proved II splendid rocre" I'm cN1.er
This was at Grand Rapids. frl bu''
Ia. IL