East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1919-06-24
SALOON WCST DIE
WITH OLD JOHN B.

NEW YORK. June 4,--Prohihition
or no prohibition, the little old brass
rail, the mahosany bar and the foam
ling beer spigot is going to stick. Firm
lly convinced of the beneficial psycho-
logy OF the brassy rail. the salvation
Army has so decreed.
The waterfront" saloon is too valu-
able q socializing and democratizing
asset TO be allowed to perish with John
iBarleyconr slum workers believe.
The atmosphere of the saloon, deodo-
irized of all its stencil, alone win justI-
fy the continued existence of the saloon
they say,
| You can't take something away
from a man without giving him some-
thing I'M return" Brigadier James
lWelte. purchasing agent for the Saliva
Ition Army during the war. said today
Deprive the 'floaters' and saloon fire.
quenters of place TO congregate and
something equally as undesirable as
the saloon will take its place.
''The salvation Army does not in
tend to eliminate the saloon. 1t aims
to reform it-make it power for de-
lcency and cleanliness rather than a de-
moralizins influence in the commu-
nifty" 4
New York have secured options ON
saloon locations in preparation for the
day when prohibition goes into effect |
But not for a single day will these /
places close their doors The same old /
mahogany kar. the same brass rail and \
the same bartenders-jn many instan- 4
Ices-will remain. Only the 'kick" in
the drinks will disappear
New York's pioneer soft drink bar I
located in the heart of Broadway's 4
Tenderloin. Just off Broadway near
Forty seventh Street where hearts are 4
supposed to be light and lights are
bright and champagne flows like wa n
ter. has proved the theory of its foun- n
ders. Two months ago Tango Lizards, n
Folly girls. "pugs," and Broadway
habitues draped themselves across the
hardwood bar of the Victoria Hotel.
From noon til early morn the place
was crowded.
To-day the place still is crowded, hut
the men who lounge with hobnailed
boot upon the rail are Sronzed weather
beaten veterans of the \. f. F.. or
Uncle Sans navy. And the women.
not the delicately tinted. hand painted
Folly favorites, but ciear-eyed Saliva
ton Army lassies. war workers and re- |
many that now call for a grape fizz"
had called FOR a gin riekey or a Scotch
straight.
Its the psychology of the brass
all" quoth Tony. the bartender. who
or decade has mixed refreshing po-
ations here. Put glass in a mans
land and he Instinctively fishes
round with his foot for the rail.
fakes no difference whether he is
thinking Scotch or soda; with his hoof
comfortably fixed he will talk as long
s anyone listens 20 him-just like in &
he olden days. Gradually he eases
himself down until his chin gets in his E
ian and his elbow on the table or bar
and he's anchored until closing
ime."
In the irver-front saloon, where the
3owery Rum for 1Ierly got a glass of
'eer and a sandwich for a nickle the
salvation Army intends to have the
anne old bartender with his CHEEKY
Howdy. Mike. Hello Bill" on the job.
hat is. If he wants to stay. and many
ave said they would. But light
rinks and doughnuts will replace the
ard drinks. The stove and smoke
nd atmosphere will still be there"
Velte declared.
anu we uoh lntend 10 Ieed MIN re-
gion either. Saloons and religion
ont synchroniZe. If we-ca maintain
ne saloon as a place where a man can
rop in, get bite to eat and warm III
fmself, and incidentally eliminate all n
lie demoralizing influences that sur 81
1unded the old ru mhouses, we be- n
eve it will be worth while,'' Welte ad- 81
ed. u
Salvation Army lassies-veterans a
Iso of the A. E. F., will capitalize IA
ieir immense popularity among the m
doughboys to assist making
ie saloon an attra ctive place for the
down and outer"