Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 6.djvu/473

 THE SALOON IN CHICAGO

459

The Catholics have actually carried into effect these sugges- tions. The most successful substitute for the saloon among young men in Chicago is the Young Men's Institute, at the corner of Austin avenue and Wood street. This Y. M. I. club- house is a building arranged much after the manner of a college fraternity hall. In no place did I receive so hearty and cordial a welcome as here. In their parlors the young men were reclin- ing on sofas or in easy rockers, smoking and visiting. It was music from their piano, not beer, that enlivened their spirits here. In one room several were playing billiards, in another room pool, a third room was for other games, and a small gym- nasium was equipped in the basement. Most remarkable was the spirit of fellowship among these young men. Young men well dressed and others just from their work were visiting and play- ing together. Occasional euchre parties and dancing parties are given, to which their fathers and mothers are invited. Father McDevitt spends a part of nearly every evening here, not in preaching to, but in living with, the young men. A large number of them drink beer (none is ever allowed in their hall), but, as Father McDevitt said, "it is for these the club-house was built." There are five in the city, only two of which have ever come up to the standard set by this one. 1

THE SALVATION ARMY AND THE VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA.

The social work of the above organizations comes properly under the head of "Special Substitutes," but it has been taken up in the section on "Lodging-Houses." More detailed account of their work is given by Staff Captain Alex. Damon for the Salvation Army, and by W. K. James for the Volunteers of America. These articles will be found in the appendix.

THE HOME SAL6N.

Most interesting and full of import is the experiment of Bishop Samuel R. Fallows, the Home Salon. His plan was " to adopt the best features of the saloon with the best features of the restaurant, and so blend them that they would have the

1 Articles on the Y. M. C. A. and the Y. M. I. by Mr. L. Wilbur Messer and Father McDevitt respectively will be found in the appendix.