New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-30
MoNsIGNoR PRESTON BEFORE THE EXCISE BOARD

MoNsIGNoR PRESTON BEFORE THE EXCISE BOARD
WILL THE LICENSE BE GRANTEDf
Vicar General Preston and several prominent members
OF st. AIMS Roman Catholic Church, In East Twelfthst
appeared before the Board of Excise yesterday to support
the protest against the granting OF liquor license to
Charles Godsein proprietor Of Webster Hall. the new
$75 900 ball and concert building In Fast Elcvcnhst In
the OF the church and adjoining the church parocha
school They first went to the office Of the board at 10
a m through misunderstanding Of the time fixed for
hearing and returned at p to give their testimony
General Mcmahon and Mr.. Hildretb, who went in the
morning, unable TO appear In the afternoon Gold
stein present with his counsel and several friends
He had made statement to the Excise Board at prev
ions hearing that II his application for license was
granted he would not sell liquor In the day tme or at
such hours when the children attending tho school
Monsignor Preston testified that the psrochia school
in Elevcnthst had been maintained since 1871 at an
expense Of $4,000 year. Among the pupils Of the
school $50 girls and the female entrance to the
school Is close to the entrance TO Webster Hall II
license should be granted TO Godstein he thought, dis
orderly crowds would be attracted to the hall and there
would be serious injury to the school and to the church
Evening services held in the church during Lent and
singing lessons given to pupils in the school week
day evenings Music and dancing I'm Webster Hall would
interfere with the religious services In the church and
with tho evening lessons in the school, Father Preston
thought
have no personal feeling against Mr.. Goldsten" he
said and would gladly do him favor II could. but
opposed dance-has and feel that 1t Is my duty
protest against license for his place" In reply 70
questions by Godseins counsel he said he would stll
object the license if 1t agreed to prevent the sale
OF liquor In the hall In the day time and before 10 p m,
when the pupils usually leave the school after the
evening lessons Tho lawyer said that II liquor
not permitted to be sold In the hall the balls would
go anyhow, and he inquired II Monsignor Preston
would rather have Goldsteins customers to neigh.
boring liquor stores for their drinks thus being Obliged
pass In and out OF the hail. than have the drinking IN
the hall
would them drink far away from the hall
possible II they to drink ut ALL was the reply II the
windows OF the hall closed as tn the SOUND
of music and and dancing from entering the church. that
would only objection, he said IL had been
asserted that there four five dsordery houses In
made offensive by the dancehal particularly II
liquor sold In the hall He had been encouraged by
rule adopted by the Board OF Excise that new bar
church or school would receive a license:
There could be doubt he said that Goseln knew OF
81 AIMS Church and parochia school when he erected
Webster Hall
church and school buildings testified regarding the size
OF the chur windows He also furnished letters TO show
that GOdssn knew OF the existence OF the school before
foundations of Webster Hall laid, as there was
some CORES pondence about the danger to the school
buildings foundations when the excavations Tor the hal
dug. Mr.. lie Brun. who Is a member OF 81 AIMS
Church. agreed with Monsgnor Preston regarding the
evil effect OF license for the hall. Similar testimony was
given by James Flynn OF No. 81 Thirdave Dennis Hen
Messy OF the Westminster HOTEL and other members OF
the church.
GOldstein said he had not been informed by any MEM
Der the church that his application for license would
be opposed He purchased lease Of the land on which
the adjoining land occupied Oh cross Examination
he said he was proprietor OF Apollo HAIL. ana lie denied
that he had heard OF any arrests at that place lie ad
miued that there might be balls IN Webster nan on
Expressed himself opposed 10 license for Goldstens
place, the hearing closed. Decision was reserved