The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1920-08-14

In the fural sections and smaller towns Of the
country. The amount of money invested in these
buildings varies according to the population and
wealth of the community and the method Of finan-
cling. and ranges from few hundred dollars in
sparsey settled communities where considerable
amounts Of labor and materials are often donated
to $4,000 in the small cities.
The methods of financing these buildings may in
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 I'M
der this plan money Is usually secured either by
the sale Of stock in community organization or
through the solicitation of general contributions
Both of these methods are often supplemented nv
the giving of entertainments of various kinds the
proceeds Of which 60 into the construction fund:
and part OF the amount required to pay the
cost Of construction is often borrowed on the Sc
curity 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-
trolls the building; and where funds are secured
through general contributions the ownership and
control rest with permanent community organi-
zation formed for the purpose
Inc SiIHpieSt OI tneSe buildings generally
tain, first, an auditorium. the movable seats ar
which permit 1t to be transformed into a dining
room, athletic room, or hall for dancing.
second stage, with curtains and dressing rooms
for theatrcals; third kitchen, equipped with
stove, utensils, dishes and cutlery. Often the a.
sembly room is on the first floor and the kitchen
and a separate dining in the basement
Farmers buildings frequently contain special
rooms for the use Of cooperative economic en-
terprises.
In the smaller towns besides these rooms
there are often a library and reading room. a
game room, women's rest ROOM and rooms which
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
banquets, cafe, gymnasium billiard and bowl
ing rooms an agricultural exhibit ROOM and
rooms for the county agricultural agent the coun-
ty 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
plain chairs. and tables cook stoves. utensils
mshes 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
Those in the open country generally heated by
stoves. lighted by oil or gas lamps. and 50 on
while fanse in the towns have furnace heat. cleo
tric light stunning water. inside toilets and hot
and cold baths.
! These buildings have become the centers Of