Free lunch newspaper's estimate that the saloon keepers fed 60,000 people a day and that this represented a contribution of about $18,000 a week toward the relief of the destitute in Chicago. In 1896, the New York State legislature passed the Raines law which was intended to regulate liquor traffic. Among its many provisions, one forbade the sale of liquor unless accompanied by food; another outlawed the free lunch. In 1897, however, it was amended to allow free lunches again. Free lunch A free lunch is the providing of a meal at no cost, usually as a sales enticement to attract customers
George Raines George Raines George Raines (November 10, 1846 in Pultneyville, Wayne County, New York – November 27, 1908 in Rochester, Monroe County, New York) was an American lawyer and politician from New York. He was the son of Rev. John Raines (1818–1877) and Mary (Remington) Raines (1815–1889). He attended the common schools and Elmira Free Academy, and graduated from the University of Rochester in 1866. Then he studied law, was admitted to the bar in December 1867, and practiced in Rochester. He entered politics as a Republican, joined the Liberal Republicans in 1872, and then remained a Democrat. He was District