Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-07
THE BUSINESS MAN
AND THE SALOON
A Parable of the Times, Showing the
Cost of the Liquor Traffic in Terms
of Cash and Crime.
BY REV. CHARLES M. SHELDON,
Author of uIn His Steps," Etc.

Author of "In His Steps," Etc.
once on time there was Business Man
" in a certain town who believed that the
only way to handle the liquor traffic was to
license it, He said it was too great and
powerful to kill entirely, and the city ought
to get some revenue from a necessary evil.
One evening" just as he was getting ready
to leave his office he had an unexpected
visitor.
You will excuse me for coming at this
time said the Visitor, "but will not trouble
you long and may not come again."
"Who are you?" asked the Business Man.
in establishment, for he had never seen in all
his life, a person so beautiful and at the
same time so sad.
II am angel from Heaven" said the
Visitor. 1T have been sent down here to see
how the sons of men live in their cities, and
to ask a few questions. VIII you answer
some of them?"
"If am able" faltered the Business Man,
as he gazed In awe at his Heavenly Visitor
Tell me- then, the exact truth. L do not
want you to tell me what you have been
brought up to believe but the real facts You
have thing in this city called the saloon
What is a saloon?'
"A place where intoxicating liquor is sold"
What is that?"
"A drink made from alcohol"
What is alcohol?"
"A chemical made from various grains and
plants"
us it good for the body?"
"No, it is poisonous drug"
What effect does 1t have on human
being?'
1T makes him drunk"
What is that?"
When a man is drunk he loses his reason"
What does he do in that condition."
Sometimes he commits murder. He has
even been known to kill his own wife and
babies while drunk
What other things does alcohol do?"
1t makes thousands of people insane, and
causes thousands more to be born defec-
tive. 1t creates pauperism crime and lust.
1t beggars families. destroys health, robs men
and women OF natural affection, fills the
ranks Of those who have to be cared for at
public expense. breaks the hearts of fathers
and mothers, creates licentious passions and
leads thousands Of innocent girls into lives
of shame. 1t is mankind's most terrible
enemy destroying his mind, body and soul.'
why then, Is such a thing as a saloon
allowed to exist in this city?"
Because 1t is licensed"
Who does that?"
THE people,"
What people?'
THE citizens"
do business men license saloon?"
Yes"
do they license any other institutions to
commit crimes against humanity?"
mo"
us there any place on earth where the
making and selling OF alcohol is called a
crime and forbidden?"
"oh. yes. All Russia forbids It as crime;
also "A States in this country"
"Is it called crime by Iaw7"
Yes, the highest court we have has re-
peatedly so declared" \
why do you license saloon to commit
these erimes?"
"To get the revenue"
What is that?"
THE license.'
How much is it2"
zone thousand dollars a year"
How many saloons have you in this
town"
zone hundred"
alcohol"
Two million dollars a year"
Does your license fee come cut of that?a
yes"
Does the saloon pay for the expense Of
taking care of the public charges caused by
drink7'
"oh no.n
''Who does?"
I'VE do"
What does It cost 70 take care of an the
wrecks ia this town caused BY alcoholgs
Two hundred ana nifty thousand dollars
year
DO business men can thar coed bqsaezale
sasoug of them d6
Hr1 Yo1