Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 52.djvu/234

220 persons in saloons is in vogue, and admirable results are claimed for it."

As to the rest of the State, Mr. Koren says: "That the sale of liquor is as well regulated in all the other large cities and towns of Massachusetts as in Boston and North Adams is much to be doubted. In most of the license cities the bane of the influence of the liquor element in local politics is strongly felt; as a result, enforcement is lax and defiance of express provisions of the law common." We are not told whether or not liquor is sold in places where no licenses are granted, but Massachusetts probably does not differ much from Maine in that respect. The largest cities and towns that usually vote no license year after year are circled around Boston, "where a no-license vote removes the drinker a short and not seriously inconvenient distance from the base of supplies."

Pennsylvania has its "Brooks law," which went into effect in 1888. It is a high-license measure and embodies various restrictions. Much improvement in the character of the liquor trade has been secured under it in Philadelphia, chiefly through the efforts of the Law and Order Society of that city. Licenses are granted by the Court of Quarter Sessions in each county. The work of the license court in Philadelphia is highly praised. Owing to the connection which the liquor interest maintains with politics the full intent of the Brooks law is not carried out. Every application for a license has to be indorsed by twelve reputable electors of the ward, borough, or township in which the saloon is to be opened. In Philadelphia, school directors, members of city councils, police magistrates, clerks of the Courts of Quarter Sessions, State senators and representatives, officials of Protestant churches, and members of Congress frequently sign from one to thirty applications. It has been said by one well acquainted with existing conditions that "few men, least of all those connected with politics, dare refuse requests to aid applicants for licenses." There is an average of one saloon to each five hundred and sixty-two of the population. Liquor dealers are largely restrained from illegal practices by the fear of losing their licenses. "The improved character of the saloon," says the committee's agent, "is remarked upon by all observant citizens. Sunday selling has ceased, and minors are usually kept out of the saloons. The wholesale dealers have stopped selling liquor to be consumed on their premises. In many places great care is taken not to sell to persons already visibly under the influence of liquor."

The agent reports a large number of "speak-easies" or "kitchen bars" in Philadelphia which political entanglements or bribery prevents the police from suppressing. Liquor-selling goes on also in a multitude of clubs, so called, some of which are recognized political