New-York tribune., 1886-07-10
OFFICIALS SEEKING LIGHT.
IN DOUBT OVER THEATRICAL LICENSES.
CONFERENCE IN Tue MAYORS oFFICE-MUsT
RAslRAII GAMrs BE IlCENsEDf

CONFERENCE IN THE MAYORS oFFiCE-Musr
BASEBALL GAMrs BE LICENSED
The Police Commissioners Yesterday read care
fully the letter which Mayor Grace address I'd to
Its general purport but they thought he had shot
beyond the mark in this sentence q" 1t IS now
clear that no concert or Entertainment IN when
singing. dancing, athletics orchestral or solo play
ing all or sngv. are distinguishing ieatures. can
be held IN this city unless a license therefor has
been first obtained frcm the Mayor. Such az inter-
pretatlon of the law regarding amusementS, the COm
mssners thou ght would prevent ball playing AT the
Polo Grounds and other athletic games out OF
doors, as well as outdoor concerts ana c9neerls Ia
churches. They received letter from PRESIDENT
DAY. of the Metropolitan Exhibition Company VINO
seemed to be of the same mind, asking II the May
or's Interpretation of the law would prevent the
New-Yor League Club from playing the regular
schedued games on the Polo Grounds His letter
was laid over unanswered, until the board coh!d
get more light on the subject IL was aecided 10
seek advice from the Corporation Counsel ana
Major Kipp vas directed to write TO MI Lacomoee
on the subject er the mn t%sS wee
tired, il was thought best TO SEND committee 10
consult with the Mayor At the close oi ,ne meet Meet
ing Commissioner Noohis and superintendent NUT
raw started for the City Hall together; II.
In the Mayors ofhce they tonnd Mr. Grace, Ex-
else Commissioners Woodman and Won dlahh; anu anu
Assistant Corporation Counsel francis VI. S.o''. t
The conference was private. Then the reporters
were called IN. and the Mayor IN the presence & VI
the rest of the officials, told what nau peo" "o"'
He said:
We have had general conference OF Officials OF 6ne
citv who interested In the enforcement
Of he e1ose Jaw conformity with me oecsloh o he
Conrt of Appeals Weare all animated by Inc same He-
sire IN W. The people the business lhat comes "itn
the provisions OF the opportunity 10 tes tho hW
"a IL anplies to their own cases We WIN
therefore, afford them an opportunity TO
sue out ipiunctions aud have their cases uieu
by a proner tribunal and the provisions OF the l"w
defined The police superintendent VIII sun
nm to the Corpora aon Counsel several GASES on Whcn
he desires Information For instance. we do not Know
whether nnhlic baseball game requires tnat those
who give II or are responsible for snail rst procure
a Theatrical license. The Excise Commissioners can
not interfere in place except where apphcaton s
uonors In the matter OF Roster Il Blafs place. one
wonld disiense with his liquor license and take out
theatrical license. ! have heard from the snperin-
enaent Of Police that this proper place TO hcen-e
shall proDaby. ther fore. grant license 40 not
wish 10 be Understood saying that VIII grant
theatrical license 10 all who apply Many places are
unrt 10 have theatrical license Where there Is prop
ability that liquor will be sold suriepiiiously VIII not
gram a license. CTurnlng Commissioner Noorhls)-l
think :hat covers about all the case.
Mr. Voorhs-Yes. think 50 Its the intention or the
pnlce 10 treat the that COUe nnder Their notice
"a liberal "A the law VIII allow ana the duty
OF the police TO the publc VIII permit
MAYOR GrscF-There cases wnlcn Will re-
oure decision the courts For Instance, We DO no
Know whether a piano Will be prescribed II place
which has beer liquor license, or even an orches-
trlon Tbese are the things that the officials who are
cal ed on to enforce the law must procure decisions
npon before they with full knowe ige OF their
matter