Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-10-10
DANCE HALLS AND MEMORIALS

the proposal to establish a dance hall or pavilion in Grand
Forks either as a memorial to soldiers or as an indepen-
dent enterprise. 1t has received and made public such
suggestions as citizens have wished to make, believing that
the subject is one which is of public interest, and which
)merits consideration. In justice to those who presented
the original suggestion at this time a comment may be
appropriate.
1t is unfortunate that the term dance hall' is Gus
tomarily applied to a place where dancing is conducted,
and that this term has so frequently carried with it the
suggestion of those very undesirable dance halls which
have been features OF the lower type of large city life. and
which have usually been found operated in connection with
saloons. 1t is scarcely necessary to say that no one whose
opinion has been quoted in favor of increased dancing
facilities in Grand Forks, has had in mind any institution
of this sort. The thing which they advocate is of an en-
t'rely different character. and it has it's parallel in many
cf the larger cities in institutions established through the
efforts of public spirited people who have only the well
being Of the community at heart.
There are those who consider dancing an improper
cd IT, any enlargement of the opportunities for this form
Of entertainment. but a very large number of people con-
slider { ancing under proper surroundings a form of enter
ta:nmert. not only harmless. but beneficial. They recog-
rlze that young people will dance. Denied wholesome
surroundings they are quite likely to choose surroundings
OF the other type, and when this is done there can be no
question that the amusement is harmful. 1t has been the
thought, as we understand it, Of those who have urged IT,
erection of a dance hall in Grand Forks to provide a
dancing place which. would be easy of access, and where
the gatherings would be so supervised and so conducted
that they would be entirely free of the Injurious Influence
which so often characterizes public dancing unregulated
and unsupervised. They believe that the making of such
provision would be a public service conducive to the phys
ical and moral well being of our young people.
The connection of an enterprise such as has been
suggested with a plan for a memorial to the Grand Forks
county soldiers who have died is a separate matter en-
urelS 1t seems that whatever objection exists to such a
must be based, not upon the theory that dancing is
immoral or improper, but that a place of entertainment,
ether FOR dancing or otherwise, is not an appropriate
memorial. The same objection we must assume would ap-
ply t" a theater' or to any other place of entertainment,
no matter how popular the entertainment might be in
i~srlf. N
e. we understand the suggestions which have been
made with reference to the memorial feature they con-
tenn late a place not for dancing alone, but a community
bu'"'ing which would be used for various kinds of gather
inss OF city and county people, with rest rooms and other
facilities for the convenience Of out-of-town visitors.
character OF a memorial is a matter of sentiment,
custom and good taste. 1t is evident that there are many
whose sense OF the fitness of things would be offended by
the establishment of a memorial, one of whose principal
features was that of amusement. If that is the prevalent
sentiment, and we have reason to believe that it is, that
you'd dispose Of the combination feature and would leave
the establishment of a community house with conven-
fences for dancing and other forms of rational entertain
1nent to be decided on it's own merits.
A word may be said as to the matter of location. IF.
forts were made last spring to select a site for a dancing
pavilion and each selection proposed met with objections
from owners of property in the immediate vicinity. This
does not imply that the DIRECTORS either regarded dancing
as a improper amusement or regarded a place for dane
ing as something which should not exist. 1t implies rath-
er what we believe to be the almost universal objection to
tne existence OF q regular place of amusement In a rsi-
dence district or Immediately adjacent to such an insttu-
ton as the university whose dormitories constitute a res
idence district by itself. The Herald knows Of some VITO
have objected to proposed locations for such a Mace ~
amusement who approve Of it in principle and who regard
the downtown business district as the one and only proper
place for IT. This view is based upon consideration Of &C.
feasibility, but based more especially upon the feeling
that residence districts should be freed from the annoy
aaces which would be insutferable from the existence Of
any regular place of amusement nearby.
The railroads are to be returned to private ownershin
the first Of the year unless congress takes steps to the con-
trary. It would be q crime to have them returned With
out adequate provisions for their regulations such a. the
experience of the past few years has shown to be neces-
sary.
When one runs across the names Of BOZ and Hastings
In connection with the socialistie financial deals which
have beensput over in the state--and one usually does run
across then--he Is reminded 81 the words THE trail Of the,
serpent US over them Ill"
s4ss
Resardless OF ~individual preferences. the prevailing
opinion seems to be that in the worlds series Of b.seb.l
gannes the public sotits noney's worth. even II the runs
aid Pile up nsthS laA game.
&E 49,