The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-07-16
IIcRfhSt
UNDER PROHIBITION
Since Dry Law Went Into Effect
Seattle's Biggest Library Has
Gained 40 Per Cent.

Seattle. Wash, July lin his In
vestigations of the effect of prohibit
ton the Seattle Times found that abb
senc of saloons increases reading.
Declared from convivial participa-
ton each evening in the superficial
excitement formerly found in those
popular resorts where white-aproned
scientists mixed refreshing beverages
for men only, Pa Seattle has gone in
for the acquisition OF knowledge, and
has found a place where an immeas-
urable quantity of that commodity Is
stored. 1t is the Seattle public library.
Since Seattle went on the water
wagon. the number of night readers
at this institution has increased about
40 per cent and there has been cor
responding increase in the number OF
books borrowed
What do these men read?" repeat
ed a Seattle Public Library clerk.
We'll. their reading Is largely assort-
ed. They're not strong for fiction.
They can get all the thrills they want
paredness campaign started. there has
been a heavy demand for books deal
Ing with military tactics. armament,
history and kindred subjects.
What the Women Read.
THE women? No, they don't read
that kind of stuff They run more to
books on babies, cook books and
treatises on how to make hats Did
you never notice that woman will
take five minutes to pass the window
of millinery store and five seconds
to pass a barber shop? Women
are"
A man. whose swaying gait, and
hard, horny hands indicated that he
probably was a sailor, cut short fur
Their conversation at the reference
desk
Say" he said to the amiable clerk,
"can YOU tell me whore l can find the
latest dope on how TO make fish oil
and fertilizer?''
First door to the right" answered
the clerk ASK for Mr.. Compton in
charge OF the technology department
He turned again to the visitor. AS
l was saying about women" he
started a young woman interrupted.
Our club Is TO have debate on
Resolved that the Monroe Doctrine
Should he Abandoned" she informed
him. Il wish to take the affirmative.
Can you tell me where ! can ind
some Information upon the subject 2
He directed her briefly
AS l was going TO say about wo-
men. They're" His visitor inter
Fupted him.
Has Two Enesfa.
Yes he replied to a direct ques-
ton The motion picture shows af-
feet us two ways For a time il re-
duced the number OF readers. and then
again ii tncrea sed them. For instance,
when QUO Nadis' and other good
works were being shown In the city.
there was "A strong demand for the
books in the library.
f.atterly however, the demand has
been for the 'Forils OF Pauline and
stuff of that character. I think, how
ever. that the present popular plots
in film shows, which are generally
built AROUND the story OF dying
baby, are becoming shopworn. I've
noticed a falling off at the library In
inquiries for that kind OF stuff
But. as l was going to say about
womea''--he seemed determined to
relieve his mind on this subject so
the visitor let him 40 without inter-
ruption--''women are funny readers
They run In seasons. In April aud
May they come here in droyes, and
We have great run on books on gar
dening. botany. bird l:fe. rose culture.
and things Of that kind: and when
the fan comes their inquiries run To
books on crochet work. and how to
make doilies and the latest tricks in