THE SALOON IN CHICAGO 441
church society. What a. magnificent opportunity is here ! As yet it has not been seized by the saloon the law forbids, and to a large extent is obeyed. But who will be the first to seize it, when a few more years are added and this quasi-club-life is insufficient ?
PLEASURE CLUBS.
Between this club-life of the boy and the lodge-life of the man the social life of the young men takes form in the pleasure clubs. They correspond in number very nearly to the number of lodges. The club-life now takes on the more dignified form of a definite organization, with names characteristic of young and aspiring manhood, such as " Dewey Club," " Winfield Pleasure Club," " Social Few Pleasure Club," " Kingsley Club," etc. The club is now housed in some inexpensive room, in which the flag and red-white-and-blue bunting are the principal articles of decora- tion. Dancing parties are given frequently during the winter and picnics in summer. The young woman now figures largely in their life. In many cases the annual balls, which I have attended, have been thoroughly orderly and respectable, but to some few of these balls, and in some of their club-rooms, pros- titutes come. At the balls, beer and soft drinks are served, the balls being given in one of the large halls owned by the brewing companies, " free for private parties, balls, etc." In judging of these, as of other organizations, it is difficult to say whether they are in the main substitutes or feeders for the saloon. It is sim- ply the social instinct seeking expression in the most natural way that their knowledge and conditions indicate. There is a marked lack of guidance, but, as a few trials have revealed, they may, as may the boys' clubs, by careful guidance, be started in the right direction.
CHURCH SOCIETIES.
What are the churches of Chicago doing in the line of substi- tution ? Much, one would think. Yet actual investigation finds but few that are not clinging fondly to antiquated bow-and-arrow methods of fighting the liquor enemy, while the saloon is mak- ing great holes in our ranks with the modern Gatling gun of improved methods. A correspondence with all the pastors has
