The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-12-18

Sohtiidy 90 thC VIZ" bieky oSSAAA,
the regulation closing saloons in
this city from to 5 a. m. is work
ing out an undeserved benefit for
the saloon men and is contributing
nothing perceptible to civic moral
ity. Observation of the operation
of the regulation and analysis Of
its effects even prompts the idea
that it must have originated among
the saloon men themselves, as
something designed to serve as a
sop to the closing movement and
at the same time work no hardship
upon the saloon proprietors. Re-
CARELESS of theory, here rs now the
thing works out.
The saloons are permitted to OPP
crate until they have about all the
spending money of the night in
their cash registers. linen, instead
of being compelled to furnish
warmth and shelter through the
frigid morning hours for the mis-
guided mortals who have impover-
ished themselves for liquor, they
are enabled to close up, save the
cost of light and fuel for a few
hours and turn the crowd on the
street to suffer, steal or rob as
their dispositions and necessities
seem to require.
And this also includes numer-
Gus men who come to the city and
are unable to find empty beds, even
though they have money. There is
nth chnltAn fo
At a. M, when the night loafers
have disposed of themselves as best
they may. the saloons open up
again to catch the chilled working
man who has to turn out before
daylight and has fallen into the
habit of taking liquor through the
mistaken idea that it warns him
up. The saloon men have been re-
lieved of the pleadings of their
night victims for another drink or
small donation from the amount
that has earlier been showed over
the bar. No matter how the propo-
sition looks theoretically, the sa-
loon keeper wins both ways.
And the city suffers. On no
ground can it be maintained that
the public is safer with a gang Of
penniless or drink inflamed men
loose on the streets in the cold
than with these same men huddled
around stove filled with the sa-
loon keepers coal and shelter by
his roof. And where can the po-
lice best watch them? Scattered
in the dark or gathered in well
known resorts?
ton lies in its permitting these
men to be rendered capable of COM
hitting crime and then given the
alternative of committing 1t or
walking the deserted streets, shiv-
ering and hungry. The saloon
keeper sleeps none the less com
fortably.
If the saloons must be permitted
to put men in this condition there
is very reason why they should also
be required to afford them shelter
until daylight makes conditions en-.
durable on the streets and close
surveillance possible.
The idea that permitting men to
remain in saloons after a. IN. en-
genders crime Is ridiculous. The
professional criminal designs his
crookedness in places far less pub
lie and whether a saloon is open
or not makes no difference in his
calculations. On the other hand,
being turned out in the cold with
temptation all around him Is more
than likely to turn criminal a man
whose worst previous fault was
weakness for drink.
He was criminally foolish to
waste his means indisputably, but
men have always done so and prob
ably always will. He realizes that
bitterly himself-when 1t is too
late. The reflection Is not one to
sweeten or soften the victims