The Floating Saloon vs. the Everett Barge Works
A superintendent at the Everett barge works fights back against a 'floating drink shop' that threatened to demoralize his workforce.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
EVERETT, March 18.—About 100 men are employed at the barge works, and until recently there was no saloon to interfere with their business. But a few days ago, a floating drink shop tied up on the river opposite the barge works and very soon had the workmen badly demoralized. Superintendent Anderson in consequence has posted a notice that he will discharge any employee who patronizes the floating saloon, whether he buys or accepts as a gift any liquors kept on it.
“Superintendent Anderson in consequence has posted a notice that he will discharge any employee who patronizes the floating saloon, whether he buys or accepts as a gift any liquors kept on it.”
The tension between industrial productivity and the 'nuisance' of nearby vice businesses has defined the development of Seattle-area waterfronts for over a century. Today’s debates over the 'Right to Dream' or site-specific zoning often mirror the same struggle between capital, labor, and the informal businesses that occupy the margins of the river.
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