The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-01-11

i has suffered from lack of breadth
among its exponents. Effects have
been dwelt upon with continuous
iteration, while causes direct and in
direct have been relegated to the rear.
Temperance has as a rule been re-
duced to problem of one dimention,
and its constituency has been unnec-
essarily narrowed to those who be-
lieve, but believe intensely, in one
legislative panacea.
/ do not wonder at the bitter con
centrated hatred manifested against
the saloon as the recognized agent of
the manifold evils which flow from
the traffic. As a social institution it
is indefensible. AS a political power
of vast magnitude it is corrupting
AS an engine of immortality it occu-
pies the front rank. 1t is intrenched
in social custom and depraved appe
tite, and is backed by huge money
power.
Measuring its forces, therefore,
with care and judgment, it will be
recognized as no contemplate enemy
and one against whom we must use
indirect as we'll as direct agencies,
and, not satisfied with an attack in
front, must also harrass his flank and
rear.
One of the most important of these
indirect issues is that of counterac-
tions to the liquor saloon. With New
York and it's 1900 liquor saloons as
an object lesson, it is impossible in
covering this limited area to treat
even this one department of the sub
ject exhaustively. l will, therefore,
leave out Of view the direct and effec-
tive counteraction involved in the
abolition of the "rear tenement" the
erection of improved buildings" )"
with extended breathing spaces, and
better sanitary arrangements, the
multiplication of small and accessible
parks, and the provision of baths,
washhouses and retiring conveniences
by the city, and deal only with that
direct competitor of the liquor saloon
known as the coffee tavern.
The Church Temperance Society
divides its work into four sections,
viz, O prevention, (2) legislation, (3)
counteraction, (4 rescue. These seem
to me to cover naturally and theo-
retically the whole ground. On the
third of these sections | was requested
during the past summer, to investi-
gate and report on counteractive work
in Great Britain and how far and
with what advantage it might be
adopted in New York. l visited
Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham,
London, Leeds, Edinburgh, Glasgow
and Belfast, and reported substan-
TALLY as follows: That direct counter
active work may be divided into four
classes
/. Coffee barrows.
2. Night lunch wagons.
3. TEN perance cafes.
t. Workingmen's clubs and coffee
taverns.
The Coffee Barrow.
The first o.. these is comparatively
small and inexpensive agency. 1T
consists of light barrow with two
wheels, with receptacle in front for
provisions and in the rear a vessel
holding six gallons, with central
division for tea and coffee. On the
top is a guard rail for cups. The
wheels are light, with pneumatic rub
Der tire like the ordinary bicycle, and
it can be easily handled by one man.
In all large cities there are numerous
evening entertainments where driv-
ers, coachmen and cabmen are de-
tanned. 1t is for this clas 8 that | pro-
pose to utilize the barrow. That it
shall go out at 10 P. NJ, return at 3
A. M, drawing its supplies from the
wagons, to be hereafter described,
and which l think may be made self
supporting.
Night Lunch Wagons.
OF this second counteractive / can
speak with greater certainty the
defniteness born of experience.
got no hints on this matter from
my Investigations in England. The
American lunch wagon is much su-
perior to that of England in con-
struction and interior economy of
space. Our own are Is feet long, Z
feet wide and feet high. They are
built of quartered oak, fitted with
refrigerator and gas ranges, aud ac-
commodate eight customers at once
We supply an ordinary light lunch,
with coffee, milk, ETC., and have lately
added a special soup each day AT
noon. During the present wear (asti.