Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-07
Communicated
OWN THEIR HOMES.
Residents of Apollo and Leechburg
Prosperous and Happy
UNDER LOCAL PROHIBIT0RY LAW
An Attempt Being Made TO Have Licensed
Saloons Permitted.
ATTITUDE OF THE LEADING CITIZENS

factions in this place and Leechburg on the
temperance question, caused SO much COM
ment here that the leaders OF those who pre-
fer that the two boroughs should remain
free from saloons decided to secure the ser
vices of some person entirely neutral TO give
nlain statement of the conditions of affairs
there at present.
For that reason l came TO Apollo and
have talked to men prominent on both sides
of the question. The peculiar part of the
whole matter is the absence OF what are
sometimes termed 'cranks" on the temper
Rnce question. Very lew were found who
considered it wrong TO take a drink, if a
man would stop at that; but the
great majority Of men can't do
that. For this reason the majority
OF the public-spirited people in Apollo and
Leechburg are on the side of temperance,
and declare that the licensing Of saloons
would work great harm TO the boroughs in
many ways. They argue that Apollo is at
present enjoying siege of prosperity that
promises to continue. But they say that
Fortune is at best a tickle goddess, and it is
not well to try too many experiments with
her for fear she NAV withdraw ner patron
age, leaving the field 10 that hard worker,
Poverty.
Temperance People Hard at Work
Thus, no sooner had the persons interested
in having a couple of licensed saloons
started to work, than the other side was on
the alert, and they have been keeping a
close watch on the moyementssof the liquor
faction, well as to put forth every effort to
counteract the effect of the more or less logi-
cal argument advanced.
Upon arriving in Apollo, 1 stopped at the
Hotel Chambers, which, by the way,
is alleged to be the bone of conten-
tion, the temperance people claiming
that 1t is not a paving institution
because it has no bar attachment Mr.
Chambers, the manager is genial gentle
man, but he is decidedly unpopular with
MANY of his townsmen, because he heads
thu list OF petitioners for repeal of the
temperance law. He is accused of working
entirely for his pecuniary interests, and
during a conversation with the writer he
was told of what was being said, to which
be replied:
For my part | will not run a saloon, as
1t is against my principles. l am working
for nv own personal interests in this mat
ter, and suppose that other members OF the
hotel company are doing the same. We
built this house at an immense outlay of
money, and II is not doing the business it
should. If a license could be secured for
tn, house we could rent or sell il to a good
advantage"
AHe9 hdnI h8IIefS ENeneu Ips
Mr.. Chambers further insisted that be
believed it would be good thing for the
place ii it had a licensed saloon, as there
would not be so much drinking. At pres
ent several messengers go 10 and from Pitts |
burg to supply residents of Apollo with their |
various wants, and the main one seems to be |
quarts OF beer ana whisky. In their |
petition for the repeal OF the law they al |
lege that it is unfair, inasmuch as it does |
not give Apollo citizens, who want to engage |
IN the sale OF liquor the same chance it does
those Of kittannlng. 1T is UNFAIR" said !
Mr.. Chambers, 'and if two wrongs don't |
make right, it at least evenS things up
". c. Hunter is the proprietor of the
Hotel Apollo, and he will be an applicant |
for a license should he get the opportunity. !
He holds an opinion similar to that OF |
others on his side OF the question, and re-
marked that as he isn't a church member |
hesls at least consistent.
Cashier S. NJ Nelson, of the Apollo Say
ings Bank, is one of the stockholders in the
hotel property, but so ar has not expressed
himself on the liquor question. However
he points out the terrors of the town as be
now sees them and offered to stand on his
steps and throw stone into three speak
easies, but did not say in which direction he
would throw. Then he told of every alley
being an amateur barroom and how every
tram brings in beer IN quarts and kegs TO
be transferred into the inner courts of man.
Enough Drunkenness at Present.
Mr.. Nelson said he didn't think the
could be anv worse than it is
now, and wouldn't say whether or not it
might be bettered by opening up saloon
where everybody could drink as often and
as much as might suit his fancy. DR.. Will
lam McBryar, Sr., and T. A. Cochran, the
4 al M in he |
company, but they seem inclined in favor of
the law As ii now stands. The latter Is de-
CldeGly 50, while the doctor prefers not to
agitate the matter as he says it Will do no
good. Colonel 5. NJ. jackson, another hotel
sJockholder, was not TO be found, but it is
said that he is decidedly in favor of the
license system for the two boroughs.
Without its mills Apollo would hard
" have an excuse for its exist
those mills, that OF the Apollo Iron
aud Steel Company the proprietors have
been encouraged to make large extensions
during the past five years, mainly on ac-
count OF the temperate character of the town
nd nigh class of workmen to be obtained in
the vicinity. The company wants sober,
men, and recognize the fact that
the removal of direct temptation carries
with it three-fourths of the dangers from
the evil
WOrkinEmen Can Save Money.
1t works for the best interests of the men
rs well, as they can save money if they do
not spend 1t for drink, and can buy their
own homes. AT present it is impossible to |
rent house in the borough, and almost i'm
possible to buy one. because about every
lnau owns his own home and is reluctant to
leave it.
The works of the comnanv are marveIs of |
neatness and accidents rarely happen. Since
its starting, over five wears ago, no one has
been killed, and the most serious mishap
was that Of man who had his hand crushed
ln the rolls. The breakingS of machinery | ,
have been reduced to a minimum, and on |
the whole the members OF the company be-
Iieve that they have without drunkenness
what they would not have with men who
are in the habit Of Imbibing too freeIv Mr.. |
s S. Jack, chief clerk of the company, was
asked if the company was not too exacting
with their employees in regard to drinking,
10 which he replied:
In employing men our superiniendents
never ask impertinent questions, as to what
hey eat or drink. If temperate and COM .
Detent we want them, otherwise we do not :
'M hat is your opinion of the working of
your present local option law?"
No Discharge for Drunkenness.
Il can answer this conciseIy by stating
hat we have not discharged a skilled work
nan on account of being Incorporate dur
ng the past three years, and yet we have
luite number who acknowledge that they {
ormerly drank too much for their own good !
This they attribute TO saloons and the treat .
NJ system. j
Have you any difficulty in securing such I
nen as meet your requirements"