River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-02-08

4
looons. as loneliness, worry or no
work, and says we must provide a |
substitute
To show what is done elsewhere to
provide substitute for the saloon
might interest some of US. In some
cities and towns there are agencies
established as the Coffee House, The
Friendly Inn, The Municipal Com
fort Station, The Settlement and the
Coffee Cart in factory and mill dist
riots.
Along the line of Amusements, in
Pro. Kansas is the most musical town
in the q S. named Lindsburg, a
town of only 1000 inhabitants.
1t has big band, a symphony or
chestra of sixty pieces, playing the
same class of music as played by
Boston and New York orchestras, a
m lie chorus Of several hundred
members. Musical art society, and
an oratorio society of about 600, to
which whole families belong.
Since Europe has become war rid
den we find the tide of pleasure see
kers turned toward our great metro
polls, New York. Never was there
so great a number as during the
present winter but the drink evil
has not yet been eliminated from the
bill of fare of the restaurants where
one might see crowds coming in and
out, until far into the night Open
air skating Kinks, places for roller
skating, musical theatricals movies
all costing innumerable UNI S Q f
money have been provided to lure
the newly rich who have gone there
to do their shopping from different
parts of the U. S., as we'll as the
workers in factories and stores. Thus
in the varied environment of the
city it is made easier for youth to
find the one best suited to himself.
The following is from the writings
of that notable woman, Jane Adams:
Classical cities promoted play with
careful solicitude b vi d ing race
courses and theatres along with
market and temple.
The Greeks held their games as a
part of their religion. Medieval cit
les held Journeys, guilds their pa
gents, people their dances, churches
made festivals for saints with gay
street professions and presented re-
ligious dramas.
Only in modern cities have men
concluded it no longer necessary to
provide for the unsuitable desire for
play.
The organization Of work and
failure to organize play has brought
about great evil.
She also says the Christian mess
age is one of indispensable joy.
In the settlement work at Hull
House an effort was made to solve
social and industrial problems in
great city. Before the theatre at
Hull House was built, many plays,
taken part in by both young and
old were held first in the drawing
room. then in gymnasium. Social
clubs were formed for debates, and
d encing parties for those who came
in search of pleasure. At times the
parents came and watched the young
people from the gallery.
Picnic parties were planned with
genial motherly woman as chaper
one, at which soft drinks were serv-
| ed.
At dancing partie IS invitations
were sent out, no young man under
the influence Of liquor was allowed
to be present Early closing was in
sisted upon and a director always
present to prohibit certain dances.
An Art gallery was at first pro-
vided by different parties lending
pictures and continued until Chica-
go art institute was opened free to
the public on Sunday when those de-
string to go there were conducted
by a guide
Now studios are furnished in the
building where old and young may
learn to express themselves. Also a
shop of crafts where work is done
in wood and metal.
After considering what has been
done for amusement of young and
! old of other cities the question arises