The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-03-17
BERLIN news LETTER

Berlin, March 17.-For years Berlin
stu'oVe to become the greatest all
night city in the world. Now when it
boasts that distinction there are wide
spread appeals for putting on the
brakes.
Out OF the 443 members Of the Prus-
sian diet $40 have backed the asser-
ton that the city is a den Of vice,
and have petitioned the minister Of
the interior to ward off the dangers
to which the bodies and souls of the
youths are exposed"
The forty members of the progress
s1Ve party in the diet have not joined
In the petition, but their spokesman
declared that in a general way it cX-
pressed their desires.
Baron Schenck III ~Schweinsberg,
speaking for the conservatives. made
bitter attack upon conditions in Ber-
lin. The number Of dissolute women
ne said, was increasing tremendous
ly, with all the evils that follow in
their train. Perrin by night" had be-
come an advertising slogan, known
throughout the world. AS o. matter
or fact, Berlin by night was the dark
est spot in Prussia and in the Ger
man empire" Cabarets, dance halls
and dangerous drinking places were
destroying the youth. and when a
move was made against them, the cry
went up that the police were threat
en1ng business. The baron also attack
ed the cinematograph as a factor in
decentralization.
A free conservative representative,
Herr Voster, seconded Baron Zu
Schweinberg's statements. The city's
night program, he said, is made up as
follows: From 8 to II o'clock. the
atre; II to 2, wine restaurants or
dance halls: 2 to 4. bars, and 4 to 6,
night resorts The advocates of all
night revelry, he said, defended their
attitude by declaring that Berlin is
one Of the worlds great cities and
must cater to visitors from abroad.
They overlooked the fact that the pub
lie places in London close at mid
night and on Paris boulevards at 1
o'clock.
He who knows our night life knows
what decentralization it causes among
our YOUTH" said the deputy.
Representatives Of the clerical and
national liberal parties also attacked
existing conditions. DR.. Schroeder of
the national liberals deplored that fact
that these conditions were not con
fined to Berlin. The smaller cities,
too, are becoming infected, he said.
Johann Won DallWitz, minister of the
interior, declared hat there were
great obstacles in the way of a sue
cessful campaign against the dangers
OF present conditions. He said the
government was trying to reduce the
number of doubtful resorts and had
actually effected a considerable reduc-
ton in the number Of places holding
all-night licenses. 1t was hoped
eventually to abolish entirely the so
called animation bars" where female
Mattresses urge the guests to drink as
much and as often as possible, and he
expected much from the new measur
about to be laid before the reichstag
for the regulation of the liquor traffic
throughout the empire.
No earnest defender of the night
life Of German cities in all it's phrases
has as yet replied to the attacks in
the diet, but one apologist has direct
ed attention to a reason justifying
later hours for restaurants and cafes
in Germany than in other countries.
This is the manner in which the work.
ing day is divided. The average bust
ness house suspends operations for
from n and one-half to two and one
half hours at noon, when the big meal
of the day is taken, n close only at
eight, This forces the employees to
work into the evening, and if they
wish to visit a theatre, moving picture
show or concert, theyfmust go direct
ly from their place OF business with
out pausing for supper. The after
theatre supper is not a luxury for them
but a necessity, and they make up a
big part Of the crowd hat fills the
public eating and drinking places
from II until 2 o'clock.