s given the principal attraction of the evening, a
popular lecture, dramatic reading, debate on some burning question, or a
professional concert. The entertainments always closed promptly at 9:30,
as many electric cars were in waiting. During the season, free lectures
on "The Art of Cooking," "How to Dress," "The Care of Children,"
"Housekeeping in General," "The Culture of Flowers," etc., etc., were
given at 3 P.M. in the great hall to the wives and friends of all the
ticket holders.

The circulation of useful literature was another important feature of the
Educational Bureau work. At each entertainment five thousand little books
of forty pages each, a wagon-load, were given to the owners of course
tickets, as they entered the hall. These pamphlets included "A Short
History of France," or "History of the United States," "Story of the
Steam Engine," "A Brief History of Science," an "Essay on Early Man,"
"Great Artists," "Secrets of Success," etc. Each little book contained
the evening's programme, the words and music of at least two national
hymns, and "Owl Talks," a single page of crisp thoughts, to whet one's
wits. At the close of each season the twenty pamphlets, continuously
paged, were bound for fifty cents in two volumes with covers of red
cloth. Thus the people got much for little, and they were benefited and
pleased with their bargain. Encores and the discourtesy of stamping the
feet and leaving the hall before the performance was concluded were
abolished. Palms and fragrant flowers were always on the platform.
Everybody listened attentively to the kindly words of teacher, orator,
or poet; new impulses were received, and all rejoiced in the supply and
satisfaction of their deepest and best wants. Feelings of a common
brotherhood made hearts happier and lives better.

Workmen went home sober with their week's earnings in their pockets, as
there were no saloons in the town, a bright book to read, and a home of
their own for shelter and rest. Thus also an improved citizenship was
obtained and the nation was made stronger.

George Ingram thought that all our cities should have large, cheerful
halls, people's forums, where clear and simple truths on important
questions should be taught. He believed that it would prove an antidote
to various forms of anarchy and communism, which under the aegis of
liberty are being advocated in our cities.

The trustees of the Harris estate set aside $250,000, to be known as "The