[Illustration: BERGEN'S "DRINK ROAD."]
"Then let me explain it to you," he exclaimed. "Perhaps I can best do
this," he added, "by pointing out to you that melancholy individual
standing by the gang-plank. He used to be a liquor-seller here, but
he has lost his 'spirits,' for our municipal government now has the
sale of liquors entirely in its own hands. It first decides how many
licenses are needed, and then, instead of giving them to private
individuals, it grants them only to a responsible stock company. The
books of this company must be at all times open to inspection, and
all its rules are strictly under government control. Moreover, the
company is not allowed to make more than five per cent. on its invested
capital. All profits over that amount are given to public improvements,
roads, parks, schools, or hospitals."