I miss the olden days when one could say exactly what one meant without dancing around their wording to be sure that not one solitary person would be offended and sue. I bet dollars to donuts that those who came to this area to pick up free food followed the rules and kept the air pure. I don't believe in insults but telling it like it is gets far better results in my opinion. And furthermore, potatoes are good food and can be prepared in a multitude of ways, nothing wrong with that. In the towns of old, "Don't spit on the sidewalk" signs were necessary and effective.

Presumably they got birds in their baskets, too. You can see the feet sticking out of the sacks.

This is a case for www.passiveaggressivenotes.com!

Volunteers Are Here

Rivals of Salvation Army to Open Headquarters.

Southern Headquarters of the Volunteers of America, the rival organization of the Salvation Army, will be opened in this city today by Maj. F.C. Fegley, who arrived here yesterday from Buffalo, N.Y., for that purpose. A large building was leased at 22 R street northeast by Maj. Fegley. His staff, which will include ten persons, is expected to arrive here by tomorrow, some coming from the main headquarters in New York city.

The Volunteers of America is an offshoot of the Salvation Army. Ballington Booth, son of Gen. William Booth, of London, founder of the Salvation Army, is head of the Volunteers. The office of Ballington Booth is in New York city at 38 West Twenty-eighth street, where is carried on the immense work that the Volunteers are doing in the United States. Fifteen years ago, Ballington Booth had a disagreement with his father over the administration of Salvation Army affairs in the United States, which resulted in the formation of the Volunteers of America.
...
In addition to directing the work of the Volunteers in the Southern States, the headquarters here will carry on active local work. Within a short time, Maj. Fegley expects to have a rescue home for discharged prisoners, a mission house, a day nursery for children of indigent parents, an industrial home, and an employment bureau in operation. Mrs. Fegley, who is captain in the Volunteers is here with Maj. Fegley, and will assist him in getting headquarters in shape, and in inaugurating the local work. Maj. and Mrs. Fegley have been in charge of the Volunteer work in Buffalo, N.Y., for the last two years. The Salvation Army and the American Salvation Army already have stations in this city.

Washington Post, Sep 24, 1910

What a hilarious, ironically-rude sign. Was there really that big of a problem with profanity? Maybe everyone was complaining--"potatoes again!?"

So that's why the fun got sucked out of that dinner party; they were forced to assemble spudbaskets afterwards. Seriously, I shouldn't be mocking them; they did good work for people who needed their help - so God bless them for that.

Keep an eye out in your local "trendy" gift shop -- good split-ash baskets like these go for about $80.