by Laurel | February 4th, 2013
January 4, 1913
There was little discussion at the meeting, although Committeeman O’Connor made a point which was well taken relative to the opening of the school halls for public dances. There is little doubt but that if the committee throws the school halls open for this amusement, it will not be long before there will be a reaction and the halls will be closed for all public affairs.The entering wedge was placed last week when a dance was given, for the stated purpose of applying the proceeds toward the purchase of a Victrola. While there was no fault to be found with this entertainment, yet the precedent established would allow the school halls opened for these entertainments with almost any excuse given, and eventually for holding public dances where admission would be charged. Which such entertainments are harmless enough, yet it has been the experience of the city in the past that the damage done to the halls is not made up by the prices asked, and there is a question whether the school buildings should be thrown open for such entertainments. the effort of Committeeman O’Connor to have the board go on record regarding the use of school halls for the purpose did not meet with success Monday evening, but it will have to be met later. It would seem that the use of school halls ought to be more nearly limited to use for educational purposes, and that dances can very well be held in halls built for that purpose even though the price asked for these halls is in advance of what is required at the present time for the use of school halls.
From The Springfield Republican.
