New-York tribune., 1905-04-02
SALOONS AS PUBLIC CONvENIENCEs.
Suggestion That Reformers Should Fight
Fire with Fire"

To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: Many Prohlbitionists and total abstinence
advocates not only denounce and condemn the
liquor traffic but abuse the dealer and his calling
as criminal This Injuries more than it benefits
their own cause for the fact is well known that
among saloonkeepers are men OF noble. generous
natures and many bartenders do not use intoxi-
cants themselves. True-as in every busness-there
are greedy ones who abuse propriety for the sake
o. gain or 20 meet the exorbitant license: st the
fact is well known there are those in that business
who refuse 10 sell 20 persons imbibng 10 excess.
Many saloons have collection boxes for the Saliva
ton Army, and give permission TO members OF the
army to sell their papers 10 patrons. As an evidence
OF deeds OF charity have watched the little news
boy with his batch Of papers looking wistfuly anG
hungrily at the luncheon counter. and have seen
the proprietor as he flied the boys pockets with
crackers and a chunk OF cheese-no fragments but
with the Hberallty OF our grandmothers-
But the principal point would call attention to Is
the convenience and accommodation furnished by
the saloon viz toilet room. reading room. smoking
space abundant and free lunch light meal
al a moderate price It seems almost unfair that
while tobacco stores. soda water stands, etc, are
open wide on Sundays the saloons are not per
mitted as openly 10 sell cigars, soft drinks butter
milk beef tea, clam broth, etc. (Which is part OF
their trade well their neighbors, especially
considering the immense amount OF license money
they pay.
Now. on the principle OF fight fire with fire.
and aght devil with devil-as 1eetotalers look upon
the tTaTlC II the line OF iIoSe NdI4StthuS p'F'ti
il would behoove the reformers and Christian pub
lie 20 emulate the enterprise of the saloons. They
should provide similar accommodations OF toilet
rooms. tables with newspapers on them. a room
where the tired of labor or traveller could en-
ioy his pipe and an Innocent game. and. in addi-
ton. coefee and sandwiches at nomina! or reason
able cost. Ia Great Britain this plan is a success
also in YonI5ers near by. and the Palace Beautiful
in CITY a blessing 10 young men ana
those Of older years Had means Would maze
the experiment, and. anyway, would contrlpCle
gladly for such a purpose anu CIV" 'lle anu ~
1uence TO make the effort success
There is a confident expectation II the cnui Caes
Of a great religious revival Throughout the l2aq
would suggest that these comfort places would re
very Httfne in anticipation Of such blessing, de
,-oiitlv 10 be wished" Then after the spirtua!
harvest ingathe-ing IS consummated they ~ould
he the means Of keeping many converts from the
fer,pta ton OF going back into old ways and former
habits The subject IS. / think. worthy or con-
siSerafon by our nthrOpists by our churches
missions and especially the societies organized
ressIone 10 their ranks The experiment is certain
Iv worth trying and would bring better results
Than faulthnding with plans like that OF blshop
Pofter and others who are endeavoring 10 I'M
prove conditions in way they think pFacuca pc.
f1stead Of eondemning others, our good brethren
and sisters should institute other means 1T re-
brooklyn March q. 1865.