Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 100, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 April 1910 — INSPIRED A PEOPLE’S PALACE. [ARTICLE]

INSPIRED A PEOPLE’S PALACE.

It la the People's Practical AntiSnloon Expression In Jersey City. The People’s Palace of Jersey Gity shows the method of the up-to-date church. It waS built by a generous business man, Joseph Miibank, and planned and managed by the Rev. John L. Scudder, pastor of the First Congregational Church, says the Delineator. Years ago Mr. Scudder read Sir Walter Besant’s novel, “All Sorts and Conditions of Men,” in which the Idea of a people’s palace was elucidated. Mr. Scudder determined & build such a palace. Mr. Scudder not only makes the People’s Palace self-support-ing, but he makes It earn money to expand. The first $75,000 the generous millionaire gave he frankly declared he expected to lose outright. Six months after the place was built Mr. Scudder Informed him that, the treasury was ahead $4,000. The People’s Palace is essentially an anti-saloon expression. Most pool and billiard rooms have bar attachments; hence the People’s Palace has the largest pool and billiard rooms, with the best equipment, in Jersey City, and the players are charged less than the saloon rate. Bowling alleys are there for similar reasons. Lodges and trades unions, too. often hold their meetings over saloons. A most beautiful lodgeroom, perfect in its equipment, it attached to the Institution, The rent is lower than is commonly paid for much poorer quarters. Every one knows the destructive and vicious influences surrounding the dance halls of great cities. In most places a social club can get a hall rent free, the proprietor only standing out for the bar privilege. The People’s Palace has two large dancing halls with smooth and polished floors, music played by electricity and side rooms for ice Cream and light refreshments. It has one of the finest gymnasiums in the world, a most complete theater, rifle and pistol ranges, a library, indoor and outdoor tennis and provision for all forms of legitimate recreation. Membership fees are so sow that almost anybody can belong. The Palace is open to everybody, men,' women and children alike. And “everybody” comes. Across the street 1b the church, no oner is expected to attend its services because he belongs to the Palace. “Play here,” says Mr. Scudder, “or pray there, just as yqu choose, but, anyhow, keep away from the saloon and the gambling den.”