RURAL COMMUNITY BUILDINGS. 29 



ship as a unit, through a common l)nil<ling dosi_2^n('(l to sorve for large 

 public gatherings, su(;h as farmers' institutes, iniion church services, 

 high-school entertainments, and for township offices. 



The financing of a township building was recently made practicable 

 by a special act of the Kansas State Legislature permitting to\\Tiships 

 to vote bonds for the construction of such buildings to the amount 

 of $5,OO0.i 



The library association, the farmers' institute, and the schools had 

 formerly worked for a social-center building, but without success. In 

 compliance with the provisions of the new law a petition was placed 

 before the township board, signed by 25 per cent of the voters, re- 

 questing that the bond question be submitted to vote. As a result, 

 a building was erected in 1916 by the township board, at a cost of 

 $6,809, including $1,809 from general funds. 



The total cost may be itemized as follows: 



Land - $500 



Building: 



Materials $2, 589 



Labor 1, 920 



4, 509 



Furnishings 1, 800 



Total outlay 6, 809 



The chief maintenance expenses are those connected with light, 

 heat, and repairs. There is no regular janitor, and the building is 

 cared for largely by the organizations using it. Expenses are met 

 chiefly by rentals, which are $3 per night for each entertainment. 



The building is 50 by 90 feet and is m.ade of brick, with a cement 

 foundation, and with metal ceilings and plastered walls inside. 



The largest room is the auditorium with 600 chairs on a floor which 

 has an incline of about 1 inch to the foot. It is furnished with a 

 piano and is lighted by six 150-candlepower lamps and four 100- 

 candlepower lamps. 



At the front of the auditorium is a stage 20 by 24 feet, with an 

 opening 12 feet high. The stage has five drop curtains, six wing 

 curtains, and a curtain for moving pictures. At either side of the 

 stage is a dressing room 8 by 10 feet. At the rear of the auditorium 

 is a gallery 12 by 48 feet, seating 175 people. Underneath the gal- 

 lery are the library room and the township officials' room, separated 

 by an entrance hall leading from the front door to the auditorium. 



The library is 15 by 17 feet and is furnished with chairs, writing 

 desks, and magazine tables, and with bookcases containing 600 volumes. 



The officials' room is 15 by 20 feet and contains office furniture, 

 the township records, a safe, a stove, and a telephone. In this room 

 also is a ticket window, from which tickets to the various entertain- 

 ments are sold. 



I See Laws (State of Kansas), chapter 118, section 9560, as amended by chapter 332, Laws of 1911. 



