Montana labor news., 1937-02-25
BEAUTIFI(ATI0N OF new HIGH
SCHOOL ENDORSED BY CENTRAL
LABOR COUNCIL TUESDAY NIGHT
Mr.. Griffith, Teacher at the High
School, Addresses Delegates ON
Value of Project.

Mr.. Stanley Griffith, Assistant
Principal at the Butte High School,
was admitted to the session of the
Silver Bow Trades and Labor Coun-
Gil last Tuesday and addressed the
delegates in behalf of the project to
build a stadium and to further beau
tify the grounds of the new High
School by a proposed issuance of
new bonds to the extent of $50, 600.
At the conclusion of his address and
after he had departed the delegates
voted to endorse the proposition and
to furnish their support.
Some of the delegates were in a
little mental confusion as to the
status of the former $500, 900 bond
issue that was voted for the erection
of the school. 1t was brought out
during the discussion that it is now
estimated only $640,000 of this issue
will be consumed, the remaining
100000 to be cancelled or retired.
Up to the present time about $780,
600 worth of the bonds have been
used. The citizens are only required
to pay taxes on the amount that is
used. For instance, if less than $780,
600 worth of the bonds are used in
the construction of the new High
School taxes will be paid on only
that amount.
Owing to stipulations on the orig
inal bond issue of $500, 900 it could
only be used in the actual construc-
ton of the new High School so that
it is now necessary to have a new
issue of $150,000 to take care of
building a stadium and identifying
the grounds. 1t is proposed, should
the people vote f~avorably on the
bond issue, to build a stadium for
the accommodation of all sporting
events, particularly football. The
games will be played at night and
the stadium provided with lighting
facilities similar to that now being
used at Great Falls and Billings.
The advantage of this plan is that
men and women who desire to see
these events and who work day shift
would be able to attend. However,
the erection of the stadium would
only be part of the plan. The pro-
posi- includes the building of tennis
courts, erection of fountains, and
further embellishing of the grounds.
Options have been obtained by the
School Board on enough property in
the neighborhood to provide room
for all of these purposes. One real
estate firm and another individual
came in for some condemnation dur
ing the discussion due to their ap-
parent desire to extort unreasonable
prices for some of the property. Sug-
gestions were made that if necessary
condemnation proceedings be insti-
tuted and a reasonable appraisal be
made of the property. One of the
speakers said that in his opinion that
it would be more economical to go
ahead and pay for the property
rather than be involved in court
which would take time and would
prohah1y taka nora uoopav than tho
price that had been asked. However,
the majority of the property owners
in the district are asking very rea-
sonable prices and the Board is for
tunate in having secured the options
at these figures.
During Mr.. Griffith's talk he men
toned that the grounds could be
used for band concerts and that
benches would be placed in different
places on the grounds for the use
of the public if desired. Butte is
sadly in need of such a place. Gen
eral satisfaction accompanied the ac-
ton of the central labor body of the
unions in the endorsement of the
proposition. The prevailing senti-
ment seemed to be that as long as
Butte was the richest hill on earth
that it should provide a suitable high
school for its children.