Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-08-09
THAT DRINKING cur Law,

The law now in force in New Jer-
sey abolishing the public drinking
cup is being discussed far and wide.
If reports be true, DR.. William E.
Ramsay, who is father of the bill,
would not stand much of a chance
with his life in some parts of the
state when thirsty crowds throng
about a cupless water cooler in a
railroad station or other public place.
There is no doubt that the law has
caused a great deal of hardship, but
it cannot be denied that it is along
the most advanced lines of sanitation
and healthfulness. 1t has often been
said that If a person only could have
seen the one who last drank out of
the cup that he presses to his lips,
he would go thirsty a long time be-
fore using the vessel. While this
may be true, the fact remains that
the previous person was not seen and
consequently we drink with content
ment and are satisfied.
1t is declared that an effort will be
made next year to repeal the law
abolishing the cups. We do not be-
lieve 1t can be done. The law has
too much of merit in it to be wiped
off the statute books altogether.
There is room for amendment, how
ever and some changes ought to be
made. Public places should be com
PEELED to maintain sanitary drinking
places, such as the so-called bubble. |
When these are lot practicable, a
small paper cup could be provided in
the Snaps of a bag, as are now bought
in packages at drug stores. These
cups could be placed in an apparatus
so that only one could be taken at a
time. The cost of them is trifling
and they answer the purpose well.
Being fat, when once thrown away
they are not likely to be used again.
But as people become more and
more accustomed to the law, they
Will provide their own cups, carrying
a folding one about with them in
their pockets. This custom is rapidly
growing now and, another year., near
Iy everybody will be well provided
in this particular.
One of the serious defects in the
present law is clearly pointed out by i
the Philadelphia ~ TINES 9lIis9@s:
THE individka drinEjng cup is a
'ommendable innovation. There is !
10 uou0' t9St public fountains have
zen the past fruitful sources of
lentagion. But really the plan adopt
ed by a unanimous vote of-the New
Jersey Legislature seemSto have been :
~r4astiL~d6Vised and so unintelli-
gently applied that it has become a
farce at the very outset. AS soon
as the law went into effect, slot ma I,
chimes were set up at all terminals,
where cups Of waxed paper may be
had by depositing a cent. The cups
are so constructed that they cannot
be carried away. In other words they
are fit for use at the fountain only,
and the purchaser almost invariably
leaves them behind, where by the
late afternoon a large number have
accumulated, There is nothing in the
law, and, presumably there is moth
ing in ethics, to prevent the priv
legged company from gathering them
up and running them through the mill
again. A slot machine has no con-
science. Moreover the casual passer-
by, who happens to be short of
change, may use the abandoned cups
without let or hindrance. This is
done many times a day, and at all
times it is easy to get a drink of wa
ter as it was under the old system,
The difference is one of sanitation,
and surely nobody will deny that a
~granite-iron vessel for comman use
Is more sanitary than stiffened pa
per veneered with wax. The law de-
feats its own purpose. 1t should be
amended so as to provide individual
cups at the expense of either the
State or the railroad company"