New-York tribune., 1905-08-31
SUBW AZ TAVERN ENDS.
Project Bishop Potter Indorsed
Fails after Thirteen Months.

Bishop Potters benediction has not preserved
the Subway Tavern. After thirteen months Of
existence. in which it bred many religious dis
cussions. but attracted few customers it has
passed into other hands. AT l. O'Clock last night
1t became the property Of ". 6. Skidmore, who
has for some time conducted the rathskeller
there With the elimination OF Joseph Johnson.
Jr.' president Of the Subway Tavern Company.
the sociological experiment will be ended in any
thing but success. Business principles are to
De put into operation from Monday morning.
The sign Will be taken down Saturday night.
The Tavern was opened at Bleecker and Null
berry SITS. on August g. 1904 Bishop Potter
consecrated il with prayer. The enterprise is
similar to many that are working we'll in Eng
land. In the front men. women, boys and girls
are invited TO buy soda. and the place has the
appearance OF an ordinary soda water store. A
curtain in the rear leads TO a saloon, where
liquors and free lunch abound. Downstairs is a
restaurant.
Joseph Johnson. IT, president of the Subway
Tavern Company. who has been identified with
the concern since its inception as manager.
could not be found. Mr. Skidmore said that Mr..
Johnson had been about the place yesterday
You can't follow the Lord and chase the
devil at the same time" said Mr.. skdmore in
relating how he has come to be identified with
the management Of the place. 7 have had the
restaurant privileges for more than three
months he continued. Il used to run restau-
rant in Brooklyn, and think 1 can make this
one go.
4 expect that by Thursday or Friday the
whole tavern will be transferred to me. Negotia-
uons are now in progress looking that end.
intend % rip the place TO pieces, tear out the
water wagon attachment and run the place as
& straight saloon and restaurant"
The saloon was run by a corporation known
as the Subway Tavern Company, with the fol-
lowing officers: President, Joseph Johnson. tr;
secretary. James J. Farnsworth; capital $4,000
The directors listed Joseph Johnson, jr.;
James J. Farnsworth and Henry G. Colvin.
Throughout the coantry the venture aroused
The most intense discussion. some of which was
rancorous criticism CT the part that Bishop Pot
Ter had taken in the affair. He answered the
criticisms. and insisted that the venture was
devised along The right lines, and could not fail
10 exert a beneficial influence. One of the rooms
was fitted up with soda fountain at which,
however. women might be served with beer
This was in the end Of the building at BIeecker
and Mulberry SITS Behind il was a smaller
room, partly set of by partitions intended as a
reading room where magazines and newspapers
were kept on file. The bar and cigar counter
were behind this room. The outer walls of the
building had been painted some months ago
advertising tae excellence of the tavern. In the
basement was a sort OF rathskeller, where
luncheon was served at noon, announced by a
white aproned empIoye by the ringing OF an old
fashioned dinner bell.
Joseph Johnson ir. the president Of the con-
Germ. and supposed TO be its protector. was also
president OF the Order Of Acorns-
Patrolman Hines. Of the Muberry-st, station
on beat III front of Police Headquarters investi-
gated q rumor in regard TO the liquor tax GER
tthcate OF the tavern being missing. Going into
the tavern he asked the bartender:
do you sell liquor here"
Yes"
Where's your certifCate2'
We'll. I've never seen IT, but I suppose we've
got one"
You'll have TO show it or put your hat"
DO you mean it,"
Il surely do"
Then there was much more hustiing to find
the certificates when the manager. Skidmore, en-
tered.
Arrest the manager" said the bartender.
L will if he can't show me the certificate"
said Hines
Why. the certificate is in the window" said
Skidmore
But a careful search high and low failed
disclose its wherea bouts, and just when Hines
about 10 arrest him the missing certificate,
tucked away behind the soda water fountain
Hines advised that il be displayed in more
prominent place
PRINCE LOUIS'S ESCAPE.