The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-22
ONE 81 the DINNERS oy the AMERICAN nINaAKlAh &E$S
SOCIAL CLUB THIS WAS the BACK ROOM Of MSEAE1G
A SALOON
Neighborhood Clubs in Erstwhile Gin
Mills Transform Moral Tone of Whole
Districts by Social and Educational
Advancement and Americanization

they knew where It was and they
were familiar with all the gossipy and
chatty little hooks and corners Of it
the saloon was the place for the new
establishment.
Gets Financial Backing.
All this thinking was the inception
OF the three clubs. although OF course
the Boys Club was more of a preven-
tive measure than curative one.
There wasn't anything particularly
original in this line Of thought enter
tanned by Hamburger. but he was origi-
nal in the fact that after thinking 1t he
did not stop to talk about II or to write
books about II and say what q grand
thing II would be--he went right ahead
and took the matter up with Miss Ro-
sale Manning, the head Of the settle
ment, and got permission and authority
to go ahead with It. Some time before
this a wealthy man Of New York who
prefers to remain unknown had given
to the settlement a certain sum OF
money with which to handle It's part
OF the problems that were to follow
prohibition. Hamburger told him Of
his plan and the wealthy man told him
70 go ahead.
So Hamburger started the organiza-
ton of the United Community Club.
He went around to the night schools OF
the district, where old men and young
men were learning English. He put
1t up to them. They were sceptical.
Most Of them frequented the saloons
when they wanted to. but there were
not many of them who were OF the
drunkard type. Finally they told him
they would Join his club and stay in It
and keep It going II he did what he
said he would do. Then Hamburger
took. over the lease of the saloon at
| 404 East Sixty-fourth street. to the
great Joy of the saloonkeeper, and got
rid Of the bar and the dirty tables and
the booze. Then he moved in some
fairly good furniture, put a soft drink
bar in the back room. put in checker
games and billiard tables, magazines
and books. and held an opening.
The Opening Might.
Everybody In the neighborhood
came. They were extremely curious
to see what had happened to their sa-
loon. Before that the club had reBu-
larly organized with tentative officers
and sixty members, all paying dues
Of 25 cents a month. Jasper Cusu-
mano, an American OF Italian descent,
who knew italians like the proveroial
book. was put in charge as manager.
| That opening night was a huge sue
cess. More than $50 persons jammed
into the place, heard the''husic and the
speechmaking and the singing, and
looked about the place and found 1t
good Next day there was a rush or
applicants for membership, and now
| the club has $50 mem on the rolls. all
paid up and in good standing-and
the policeman on the beat there will
! tell you he hardly knows the district
now. Most of the bad actors have
! either become good and Joined the
| club and shown that they were always
| good at bottom or else they have
| moved away.
The clubs activities are manifold.
It is in two parts. first Of all the
| young mems club, and the regular
club" The young mems branch pays
dues to the other. but really II Is an
independent organization. doing its
own work and doing It we'll, and CIV
ing the young men OF the neighbor-
hood a place where they can go and
find something TO do that Is worth
doing There is nothing ornate about
the club-no plush chairs and leather
lounges and things like that, but there
are good books and games and billiards
and a kitchen where things are cooked
and a soft drink bar--and companion
ship and friendship. the keynotes of
the entire organization. And not least
there is a lot Of good American senti-
ment and patriotism. because back of
these clubs Hamburger has the
Americanization idea and Is working
1t out in excellent manner.
Music plays a great part in the &C
tivities OF this old saloon which Is
now the United Community Club
Every Monday night there is band
practice. Tuesday night there are
free English classes to which every
body is invited. Wednesday night
1.-The clubs dramatic society-they