Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-06
THE SUBWAY TAVERN.
Criticisms of Bishop Potter's
 Model New York Saloon.
DIVERSITY OF OPINIONS EXPRESSED

DIVERSITY OF OPINIONS EXPRESSED Some Pastors Praise Fearless Inde-
 pendence of the Movement - Tne
 Bishop's Participation I'm Dedicat-
 ing Model Saloon Unnecessary, Says
 Robert Graham-vievv of a Woman Temperance Worker.
 By his recent participation in the pub lie dedication of the Subway tavern, a model saloon at Mulberry and Bleecker streets, in New York, the announced object of which is to lessen the evils of tntemperance, Bishop Henry O. Potter of New York has provoked a veritable tempest of protests, denunciations and criticism from clergymen and prohibit tionists In all parts of the country, says the New York Herald
 Bishop Potter is a trustee of the Church Temperance society in New York. Robert Graham, leading tenn perance worker and founder of the so- ctety, who visited the Subway tavern, said that, in his opinion, Bishop Potter had laid himself open to severe criti- ctsm in helping to add another to New York's already large number of saloons.
 Many clergymen also objected to Bishop Potters statement that the ef- fort to abolish the saloon was lone 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 temperance cause, pleading with him to reconsider bis course in helping to advertise a saloon and soda water fount from which beer was sold.
 At the Subway tavern however, the denunciations. of clergymen and temper ance advocates had the effect of caus- ing 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 were closed for the night. Taking advantage of the fact that his establishment for the time being occupied prominent place in the public eye, the manager of the tavern placed big blackboard beside the front entrance on which the following legend was scrawled in chalk:
 "Yes, this is the saloon dedicated by Bishop Potter.{ You are welcome''
 Joseph Johnson, the tavern manager, expressed his satisfaction over the way business was booming. ''I'll tell you one thing" said Johnson, T have been here since the opening, and not sim gle intoxicated person has entered the doors.''
 In discussing his visit to the tavern and Bishop Potter's attitude regarding the novel institution Mir. Robert Gra- ham, founder and manager of the Church Temperance society, said: T do not think that the bishop by lending his presence to the dedication of the tavern meant to antagonize the ten1- perance movement He is, it is true, a trustee of the Church Temperance so- ciety, 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. It will be said by many persons that Bishop Pot ter could have occupied himself 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 add ! ing another to the list.
 @The unwise feature of the saloon, in my opinion, however, is the soda foun- tain 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 lessening the evils | of intemperance. There can be no two opinions about the danger of a placeSof I this sort which is sanctioned by high 1 church authorities leading young men | into temptation. Personally I think il i is a great mistake for them to sell whisky. Those who are working for the public good should not be liquor sa- loon keepers.
 q am glad my hand is not in this movement, for do not believe that church organization has the right tc provide liquors. H have talked with l Earl Grey about moderate drinking 1T England. He told me of three smal places in Scotland where the saloons were entirely controlled and directed I by the workingmen. In these places the I plan was successful, but Earl Grey ha' not yet solved the liquor problem fo1 large cities, which is the problem VI face today. do not believe in attack ing this tavern from all points. It promoters should have fair oppor tunity to prove their claims, and l hop they will be equally fair about ad hitting their failure if they fail. Mucl depends on the men in charge. and
 hope the directors have chosen wisely.
 Many members of the Woman
 Christian Temperance union did DO hesitate to express their disapproval Q
 the bishops course. Mrs. Belle de RI
 vera, vice president of the New For City Federation of Women's Clubs, sal
 that whatever might be the persons
 opinion and motive of Bishop Potter, b was supporting a scheme that was de