The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-12-04
CITY NEWS
BUILDING Up The
SALOONS RIVALS
REV. M. D. SHUTTER WOULD IN
CREASE COUNTER ATTRACTIONS

Library Should Be Thrown open-lf
Sunday Theaters Rival Saloons They
Are Good. II
Rev. NJ. D. Shutter, pastor OF the
Church Of the Redeemer, is deeply IN
terested in the problem of lessening
the popularity of the saloon and pro-
yiding places where men nen.o may ENJOY 10y
which will supply all the attractions OF
the saloon except liquor. He has pre-
pared for T he journal an article
dealing with the subject, which follows:
The recent order of Mayor Jones
closing the saloons on Sunday has fur
nished the occasion for discussing
subject which, after all, is not a sun
day question alone, but question for
all the rest of the week as well: What
shall take the place of the saloon? We
may as well admit at the outset that
for those who go to the saloon prlmar1-
ly to drink, nothing can take it's place.
This article is written in the interest
they have no other place, and who
might be kept out Of the saloon If some
other place were provided. |
The first thing to consider is the
agencies already existing that might be !
encouraged, or still further utilized.
The Public Library.
Some years ago, when the agitation
was on about opening the reading room
of the public library on Sunday, the
writer was the only clergyman in the
city who came out in favor of Sunday
opening. He now goes further. The
whole library, museum and art gallery,
all day and evening. This can be done
and ought to be done. It ought to- be
done in the interest of public morality.
1t is a measure Of prevention. Hun
dreds would find here a refuge from
temptation as well as means of i'm
prOvement.
The Theaters.
While we are looking about for means
of competition with the saloon, the the
aters suggest themselves. 1t is said.
on good authority, that the opening of
already impaired the receipts Of neigh
boring saloons. If this is the case, one
should hesitate about interfering with
the good work, even on Sunday. This
: is written, not for those who can 90 to
the theater on other days and nights,
and who are under no necessity of using
Sunday; but for those to whom the ques-
tion Of Sunday is a choice between the
saloon and something else. If the the
aters can furnish that something else,
and do it in creditable way, then let
them be kept open. We believe that
it is better to go to church on Sunday
than to the theater, but we believe that
it is better to 90 to the theater than
to the saloon. This is said on the as
sumption that the theater is one which
is fit to run any day of the week.
The next thing to consider is the use
that might be made Of our public school
r buildings. -..
New York has led the way in the use
of school buildings as social centers. In
1899 five recreation centers were estab-
lished,. under the board Of education: in
-Four years later there were twenty.
Some of these are for boys and some for
girls. The ages run from IA to 20.
Clubs are formed at these centers
including literary. debating and ath'
letic clubs, and a gymnasium with
instructor. There is a library and the
evening often closes with dancing. A
room is also set apart where studiously
inclined boys and girls may have the
benefit of library, or may. go to look
over their lessons for the following day
or take up some special subject in which
they may wish to improve themselves
This room is always in charge OF some
one competent to help the boys ant
girls and on whom they are priv
legged to call.
Popular Lectures. .~e'
This is not all that is being done il
New York, and more recently in Chi
cago. Under the efficient lead Of d.
II. NJ. Leipsigcr, supervisor Of lecture
for the board of education, New Ior]
city, is showing what further use ca
be made of school building, and hoy
adults can be reached by free lecture
to the people The following statemen
will explain "These lectures diffe
. from the ordinary lyceum course of lee
lures in that they are absolutely free
a part of the public educational sys
TEN; all cost being betrayed from tn
pnoe re tre omnoxed arse Of fh Hor dGG
people, The lectures are usual
illustrated, and upon historical and SC
entifc subjects. During the winter {
1908, 1921 lectures were given in IL
centers. with an2average attendance
2S5 persons at each lecture.
The Lower Education. d
It is easy to understand the. difficu
ties under which the board of educ
Minneapolis has to labor. The fun'
are inadequate; hundreds of childre
are on half sessions, and others cam
be accommodated. Demands outr,
supplies. But private Eenefcencc cou
do something. A man might sa
"Open a night school in such di
trict and I will pay the teacher,'' {
81 bear the expense of certain nul
Der Of illustrated lectures. - We
not say that the higher education
being overworl-ed; but it see1ns som
times as it the lower education we
being underworked When phila
thropist wishes to do anything for ed
cation, he Pounds professorship,
dowmcnt Of a university mi 1 " II; This
right; but an equally legitimate fe
for philanthropy would be. the comm