The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-12-20
THE MASS MEETING
-
Sale or Reservation of Opera
House Discussed


Opera House Monday might at $50 Al
call of.SCity Council. The object OF
the meeting was to ascertain what
the general pubic desired to do with
the Opera House, which also con-
tains the various city Offices, and a
store room.
as large crowd attended as
was expected, but a representative
gathering of Sunter's citizens We're
among those who responded to the
cali.
and explained the situation, going into
detail about the various debts of the
city and the burdens on the taxpayers
of the city, He also enumerated the
good tina. had resulted in the laying
sof the present, streets and sewer eSs:s-
TENS, the profit netted on the water
works system and what was to be
hoped from the electric lighting plant
recently purchased.
The chairman stated that he was
not in favor of selling the present
building and lot at sacrifice. that
the lot was worth $1,000 front foot
and that the lot was 20 feet wide. He
favored spending the 100000 to put
the building in first class condition
that would then have a value Of
about $3.50, 600, instead Of less than
s1ea. 900, its present estimated market
value,
After the chairman had explained
the situation and the object OF the
meeting, stating that little difficulty
would be encountered in selling the
bondszand within or years the new
building would be paid for, he open
ed the meeting for discussion.
DIR. E. S. Booth was the first to
voice his sentiments against the re-
modelling of the present building. He
did not favor selling the building at
sacrifice.
Mr.;I. G. Strauss saw no reason why
Sumter should not go out Of the opera
house business and allow some pri-
svate concern to build, stating that il
a per cent investment was avail
able "a nice theatre would soon be
erected He opposed the city owning
the opera house, stating that they had
equally as much right to own and op-
crate grocery and drug stores.
az Judge r. O. Purdy did not favor
the renlodeling Of the present build
ing or selling it at a sacrifice.
Councilman J. P. Booth stated his
opinion as being opposed to the meas
ufes He said that the city already
had enough debts and still had plenty
6f streets to pave and the sewer sys-
fgm ITO extend. He also said that
the present building could be used un-
tn q private corporation. saw fit to
Build
Councilman McCallum took practi-
cally the same position as Mr.. Booth,
hut did not seem quite so much oppos-
sed to it as his colleague.
Mr.. J. W. McKiever who erected the
present opera house was in favor OF
cfosing up the building at once. be-
cause Of the danger from fire. He
emphasized the fact that only one
exit was available at present.
,Mr. Abe Ryttenbery stated that he
believed nice, spacious and modern
opera house would rent for about sS,-
Gee per annurn.
T..
arguments had subsided, that nothing
be: done within 80 days. and in the
meantime give notice that the city OF
Sumter will go out of the opera house
business, provided private capital
will build. This motion was carried.
This will give the people plenty OF
time to both think and act.
A substitute motion that meeting
be called after Christmas and that
nothing be declared done at TINS
Meeting was defeated by an over
whelming majority.
The meeting was very orderly from
beginning to end. Some good argu-
naents were presented on both sides
of the question.
Another meeting will probably be
Held in three or four months to take
farther action. This is a matter of vi
tai importance to Sumter and large
gathering should be present.
CONGRESS STANDS
EnD DDnuIPfTION