Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1920-07-22

In the rural sections and smaller towns of the
country. Tie amount of money invested in these
buildings varies according to the population and
wealth of the community and the method of tnan-
cling, and ranges from a few hundred dollars in
lsparsely settled communities, where considerable
lamounts of labor and materials are often donated,
TO $4,000 in the small cities.
The methods of financing these buildings may, in
a general way, be divided into classes: those
which are financed through individual subscrip-
lions, those financed through club or society
initiative, those financed by local government, and
those financed through community endeavor. The
last is by far the most numerous group, and un-
der this plan money is usually secured either by
the sale of stock in d community organization or
Through the solicitation Of general contributions.
Both of these methods are often supplemented by
the giving of Entertainments of various kinds, the
proceeds of which go into the construction fund;
and a part of the amount required to pay the
cost Of construction is often borrowed on the Sc
curtty of the building itself, to be repaid later
with money derived from dues, assessments, or
rentals. Contributions of labor Or materials as
well as of cash, are often secured. Where funds
are secured through the sale of stock, the incor-
porated stock company of course owns or con-
rtrols the building and where funds are secured
Through general contributions the ownership and
control rest with a permanent community organi-
cation formed for the purpose.
The simplest of these buildings generally con-
tain, first, an auditorium, the movable seats of
which permit 1t to be transformed into a dining
room. an athletic room, or a hall for dancing;
second, a stage, with curtains and dressing rooms
for theatricals; third, a kitchen, equipped with
stove, utensils, dishes and cutlery. Often the as
tsembly room is on the first floor and the kitchen
and a separate dining room In the basement.
farmers buildings frequently contain special
rooms for the use of cooperative economic en-
t~terprises.
In the smaller towns. besides these rooms.
lthere are often O library and reading room. a
game room, women's rest room. and rooms which
serve as meeting places for various organizations.
In the county seats and larger towns the build
ings are often quite complete, having besides the
usual rooms and Office room. special rooms for
bandgats, a cafe, q gymnasium. billiard and bowl
Ing rooms, an agricultural exhibit room, and
rooms for the county agricultural agent, the coun-
tty home demonstration agent, secretary Of the
commercial club and the visiting nurse. The Red
Cross stands always ready to help.
Equipment in these buildings varies from the
lpIa.n chairs and tables, cook stoves, utensils,
dishes, and organ of the simpler structures, to the
fine furniture, opera chairs, stage scenery, gym
nastic. bowling, billiard, athletic and CAMERON
apparatus. books. magazines. piano, moving-picture
machine, and first-aid facilities of the finer ones.
jqhose in the open country are generally heated by
stoves. Lighted BY oil or gas lamps. and 50 on,
while those In the towns have furnace heat, cleo
uric lights, running water, inside toilets, and hot
and cold baths.
These buildings have become the centers Of
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