The Case of the Bubbler Loafers in 1918

From the August 29, 2018, MidWeek  "Looking Back."

1918, 100 Years Ago.

"Of late there has been much complaint about men and young men, loafing around street corners, using the bubbling machines as resting places.

"The bubbler on Fourth  street was occupied for over a half an hour by three fellows and many people, rather than disturb the loafers, went another block for a drink of cold water.  People in the habit of doing this this should remember there are others in this world who are glad to take advantage of a bubbling fountains and not monopolize them for an hour at a time."

Drinking fountains were called bubblers back then.

--  Cooter