The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-06-18
BILLIARD PAR[ORS
ARE VERY POPULAR
Reforms Thrown Around
Games in Recent Years
Prove Elevating

Billiards and pool. or pocket billiards,
as the latter is now known. have sprung
into great popularity among the young
men of the Birmingham district within
the past few years
There was a time, and not so many
years ago, either, that billiards and
pocket billiards Were mainly associated
with bar rooms and saloons. and the
manner in which the games were con-
Quoted was not above criticism. How
ever, conditions have greatly changed
within the past few years, and today
these great games are recognized as
the most harmless and the most inter-
esting indoor sports afforded the Ameri-
can people.
1t is a tribute to the games that they
have been introduced into practically
'every social club of Importance, and
into many of the Young Mems Christian
associations throughout the United
States within the past few years. Many
of the large churches and other relig-
ious organizations throughout the coun-
try which maintain club rooms for
young men have decided that these
games are not only harmless. but ac-
tually helpful in many ways.
A Fine Exercise
II is a scientific fact that billiards
or pocket billiards are both important
factors in the exercise of the brain as
well as every muscle of the body. Bill
liards is a game which requires special
study, while the different positions in
which the balls are left on the table
and the necessary strokes for the best
results require the free exercise of
every portion of the body. Even great
er energy and exercise are requierd for
pocket billiards.
One of the greatest reforms of the
game in recent years has been the i'm
mediate surroundings which are now
provided. 1t was formerly very COM
mon for pool or billiard tables to be
found in small, ill-ventilated rooms,
which, when filled with smoke, made
the hygienic conditions very bad. In
all of the rooms used for these games
in Birmingham az the present time,
fresh air and lots of 1T are to be found
The rooms are spacious in every detail,
while in majority of the places ven-
tilation system mas been arranged
which provides complete change OF
atmosphere In less than three minutes.
Furnishing Improved
The furnishings in majority of the
present day billiard halls are superior
in every detail to those which existed
in the past. Instead of having the walls
decorated with cheap and sometimes
questionable pictures. works of art,
handsomely framed, are shown in ma
jority of the places. The electrical fea-
lures, the cabinets for cues and other
accessories are of the finest material
and Workmanship and are In keeping
with the other details. Elegant chairs
and settees, a majority of them with
leather cushions are provided for the
players and their friends and the entire
atmosphere is conducive to good infiu-
ences.
The law which forbids minors to en-
ter billiard parlor is rigidly enforced
in Birmingham, but SO great are the
changes which have taken place in the
past few years that many parents have
issued permits for their sons to join
their friends and enjoy these interest
ing games.
Under present conditions there are
absolutely no logical criticisms which