New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-01-05
Women Plan to
Use Saloons as
SocialCentres
Even the Familiar Rail Will
Remain to Lure Former
Frequenters of the Bar
Only Liquor Will Be Gone
Community Councils Believe
Old Surroundings Will
Give Ginger Ale More Life

That cherished institution, the har-
Dor of those blessed with the convivial
spirit, the Corner Saloon, the imminent
passing of which is bemoaned with
many yearnlng sigh, may yet be pre-
served IN all its pristine glory for the
ediiication of Il "teetotalling" poster
ity.
There'll be the same old bar. the
same familiar Whitehead bartender, the
same bright-looking glasses, the same
mirrors, and, yes-even the same we'll
worn footrail will remain. There will
be lots of atmosp here.
Only the spirits will be absent! For
instead of the rye highs, the Haig
& Haig's and all the rest, the thirsty
wayfarer must sip matted milk or
chocolate soda through a straw!
At least, this is one of the plans
which the women members of the ex-
ecutive committee of the Community
Councils OF Greater New York have in
the backs of their heads and hope
soon to see materialized. The situation
is psychological one, they believe
Men have become accustomed to going
TO some particular saloon and meeting
their friends there and having a pleas
amt little chat. Then why not keep the
saloon just where 1t is, with the same
fixtures to keep up the illusion, and
serve Intoxicating drinks instead :?
Inc plan mas possibilities.
The Community Council idea as
whole Is quite new and is an outgrowth
OF the Council of National Defence
whose war activities have been, of
course. almost entirely eliminated since
the cessation of the war.
Miss Eleanor Hall. of Chicago. for
merly assistant to Elliott Smith, chief
OF the information section of the Field
Division Council of National Defence,
Washington, d. c., has just arrived in
New York City to direct the work of
these councils.
Their underlying idea is the develop
ment of the neighborhood with every
man and woman and all young persons
over eighteen signed up for civic SER
vice, and a Community Council in
every district of greater New York.
The work will be conducted under
woman head to be appointed in each
Of the five boroughs
War Risk Insurance
One of the biggest problems the
Community Council will have to
handle Just as soon as its organization
IS under way is the investigation of
eases connected with the administra-
ton OF the war risk insurance act.
There are. some fifteen thousand cases
IN the City of New York alone await
ing investigation. Through the Com
munlty Councils it will be possible
to set II motion the machinery to ac-
complish this gigantic task in the
quickest and most efficient way.
The plan is to enroll every man,
woman and child of eighteen or over
in the Community Council of the dis
trict. The various schools will be
used as places of meeting. When
about 200 members have enrolled
mass meeting will be called to elect
governing board, which will be the
only controlling body outside of the
community council proper. Represent
atives will also be sent to the Dor
ough board TO work with representa-
tives OF the borough.
All the information and statistics
now in possession of the executive
committee viii eventually be given
over 10 the various community coun-
ellis. The councils will know not only
the name and object OF every social or
civic organization in the district, but
Will be informed as 10 the registra-
ton in the night schools, the percent
age OF attendance, the sanitary condi-
ton Of tne neighborhood, its recrea-
uonal needs and various other things
which viii make it great power for
the betterment Of the district. A card
catalogue Of every enrolled member
VIII be kept. This viii show the
name and district OF the member. .the
days Of the week or which the MEN,
Der IS available for service, whether
or not emergency calls will be ac-
cepted, preferences regarding organ-
zatlons, also the assignment of work
made and the character Of the service
performed
Each Community Council will be
seh-supporting and will derive its
revenues not only from enrolment
oues, but possibly from little neigh
hornood events, such as concerts and
sociableg.
To Cooperate With Government
The Community Council will stand
as the democratic neighborhood unit
through which the individual can make
his opinions heard by the national
government and to which, as WE'LL the
national government can turn
All Information Of value gathered by
the Council OF National Defence Is be
ing placed in the hands Of the
Executive Committee of Community
Councils, now located in the Municipal
buiiding.. The committee also has a.
caro- catalogue Of every district, show
ing every organization therein. 80 that
a. d mohsnts notice the proper We
necessary civic or social endeavor any
In addition the committee has com-
piled street index so that any resident
n any part OF greater New York NAV
know to which district he or she ha,
longs. and the location of the com
TaunIty council in charge Of that mar
tIcular neighborhood. SO far as pox.
sibie the districts have been divided
u embrace persons of one nationality
that is. Italians will prcdominate in
one section, negroes in another, He
brews in a third and so on. In thi,
way the members of each communit,
council will have stronger nteres
10 their own organization.
The personnel Of the Executive Com
n3ttee includes John Willis Slaughter
o.seetor, recently appointed or tn,
metropolitan Committee for She Reern
pioyment Of Soldiers and Sailors to act
WIN the United States Employment
Eafeau, also George Gordon Battle
| ..hssnman; William G. Breed, treasurer;
| ms Hon. Alfred 4. Smith, Mortimer
Z eehif, the Hon, Alfred J. Johnson
fnen. Arthur S. Somers. Henry Mac
Dasgnald, Hon. George w. Loft, and
The establishment Of community
.1apcils will proyide a means whereby
~ resident 81 community can
ssss ezDregs himself Or herself in tbe
Lps o' work most congeniai, and viii
s ss.sf y community spirit that Il IL er~
$50 mast lead - better conditions
um 81 mes. In addition jts scope