OCR Text |
Show iU in i Let Us Not Take a Step Backward Mr. Editor Dear Sir Wero It not for the fact that thore might be a few Individuals misled by tho statement made by Mr. Ambrose on tho "Public Pool Hall" question, I would not consent to writing further furth-er on the subject, or to toko up space In your splendid paper; but ho refers re-fers us to private tables and pool tables found In tho Young Mens Christ- Ian Association. In tho pleco I wrote for publication in your paper, I did not mention anything about "prlvnto pool" or "tables" used by Christian organizations. The, question at Issuo was the granting of a llcenso for "public pool hall." If private pool tables wero thought to bo good things to keep tho boys at homo I would not raise an objection, although I doubt the wisdom of doing that Again the Y. M. C. A. is a Christian society, organized or-ganized for tho moral and social development de-velopment of tho young men, and tho tables aro used by Its members frco of charge and nro under Christian control. But n "Public Pool Hall" installed to get money out of tho patron pat-ron 8 would bo in my opinion an entirely en-tirely different thing nnd an absolute mistake I havo visited Y. M. C. A. places of amusement, havo been in homes whefo they havoDrivatft-n1-fcWYo'rT'nw!n"lt"r'"r' whore "publlcjpool hallB" arelnoporatlon and 1 have yet tho first man to say that n "public pool table" is a good thing for tho boyB. It may bo a profitable pro-fitable way to got tho money out of tho boys, but not for hlB moral and social good. Mr. Ambrose promises ho will run a good respectable place and that ho will do exactly what tho City Council desires In tho matter, he may bo sincere sin-cere in his promises, but promises nro often brokon. I do not say that Mr. Ambroso would break his promise but Boncono else who might want n llcenso may; someono porhaps who Is not so enroful to listen to tho will of tho Council. "Public Pool Halls" havo been tried out In other places and I have no hesitancy In saying to tho Injury of tho boys nnd patrons. It Is a great deal like trying to run a suloon under "strict regulations," It cannot bo dono to tho moral uplift of the, community. I ndmlro tho stand you hnvo taken In tho liquor question as well nfljthlB one now under con-sldornthn. con-sldornthn. Lot us not tnko iO step backwnrds on this Important question. ques-tion. Reapectfully, S. L. CHIPMAN. |