The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-08-05

BIsHOI Err
CHURCH AND TEMPERANCE.
WORKERS CONDEMN HI
WORDS AND DEED IN SUB
WAY TAVERN.
HIS PARTICIPATION IN DEDicA-
TON OF MODEL SALOON &"uN-
NECESSARILY REMARKS
ROBERT GRAHAM.

participation in the public ded-
| ication of the Subway Tavern, a
model saloon at Mulberry and Bleeck-
er streets. the announced object of
which Is to lessen the evils of intem.
perance, Bishop Henry c.. Potter has
provoked veritable tempest of pro-
tests, denunciations and criticism
from clergymen and prohibitionists in
all parts of the country.
Bishop Potter is trustee of the
Church Temperance Society, whose
headquarters are in the Church Mis-
sion House at No 2S1 Fourth avenue.
Robert Graham, a leading temperance
worker and founder of the society,
yesterday visited the Subway Tavern.
He said that, in his opinion, Bishop
Potter had laid himself open to Sc
we're criticism in helping to add an
other to New York's already large
number of saloons.
Many clergymen also objected to
Bishop Potter's statement that the
of the most comic and tragic failures
of history. Scores of letters and tele-
grams reached the Bishop from men
and women eminent in the temper
ance cause, pleading with him to re-
consider his course in helping to adj
vertise a saloon and soda water
fount from which beer was sold.
Criticism Coined Money.
AT the Subway Tavern, however, the
denunciations3 of clergymen and tenn
perance advocates had the effect of
causing a golden harvest to fill the
cash registers. Thirsty and curious
throngs began to fill the place during
the early morning hours, and the rush
continued until the tavern doors We're
closed for the night.
Taking advantage of the fact that
his establishment for the time be-
ing occupied a prominent place in the
public eye, the manager of the tavern
placed a big black board beside the
front entrance, ION which the follow.
ing legend was scrawled in chalk:
this is the saloon dedicated
by Bishop Potter. You are welcome
Joseph Johnson, the tavern man
ager, expressed his satisfaction over
the way business was booming. III
tell you one thing" said Mr.. Johnson.
81 have been here since ten o'clock
this morning, and not sinS1eb intox-
icated person has entered the doors.
In discussing his visit to the tav-
ern and Bishop Potter's attitude re
garding the novel institution, Mr.. Ora
ham, founder and manager of the
Church Temperance Society, said:
81 do not think that the Bishop, by
lending his presence to the dedication
of the tavern, meant to antagon1ze
the temperance movement. He is, it
is true, a trustee of the Church Tenn
perance Society, but only nominally
so, for he never attends our meetings.
"But he has made himself liable to
severe criticism by making an address
at the opening of the saloon. 1t Will
be said by many persons that Bishop
Potter could have occupied him
self with better employment. AS it
is there are far too many saloons in
New York City, and it seems rather
Unnecessary, to say the least, for the
Bishop to aid in adding another to
the list.
Like to Call Meeting of Protest.
"If the members of the Board were
not scattered so widely at this season
meeting so that we could discuss the
question of this tavern. 7 think there
will be quite a storm of protest
against the place
The unwise Feature of the saloon,
in my opinion, however. is the soda
fountain where beer is sold. A place |
where women may enter and seat
themselves to drink soda, beer or
stronger drinks, is not likely to aid in
1essening the evils of inte1nperance-
With all it's good manasement, L doubt |
whether it Will be possible to do away
with intoxicaton or disorder in sar
loon situated in that part of the city"
Many members OF the Women's
Christian Temperance Union did not
hesitate to express their disapproyal
of the Bishops course. Mrs. Belle
de Rivera, vice president of the City
Federation of Women's Clubs. said
that whatever might be the personal
opinion and motive of Bishop Potter,
he was supporting a scheme that was
decidedly wrong.
1T is "a great pity" said Mrs. de
Rivera, that the Bishop of New York
should take the stand he has for any
"a loon however NAV ha cnn6urfa1 4