New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-09
DISCUSSING LICENSE FEES.
RESOLUTION THAT CLUBS WHICH FURNISH
LIQUORS MUST HAVE LICENSES.

The resolution offered by Commissioner Kruse at
Fridays session OF the Commission for tie Revision
OF the Excise Laws, providing that clubs which fur
nish liquor to their members must pay a license, was
the first business to before the commission yes
terday. Mr.. Krusc in supporting H. said that he
offered It not because he thought that clubs now sold
unlawfuly. though he did believe So but that he
lad in view the fact that in parts of the State
who wanted to drink, got together and organized
what they called club, the sole and only purpose
of which TO get drink lie bclie' ed that special
feature in the law would prevent such cases. He
also believed that any clubs which furnished liquor
to their members were liable under the law, and
should pay licenses.
Dr. Crosby said that he did not believe there was
a respec tablo club IN Network city that would not
BE- glad TO pay license, and Mr. Rollins said the
same thing. Though they did not like to put them
selves in the attitude of liquor sellers when there
vas no provision In the law requiring thcm to pay
license he thought that If there such provision
they would all be glad to pay The resolution was
then adopted unanimously. Commissioner T0manD
then asked leave to make personal explanation, and
in reply TO comment which had been made at a
previous meeting the fact that tho brewers had not
appeared before the commission, stated that the brew
ers preferred TO rely upon the wisdom and discretion
of the commission, and id not wish to harden II
with Suggestions. lie also denied that whiskey was
an honest drink while beer lnsiduous one, and
quoted statistics prove that beer comparatively
harmless when compared with whishey.
The question Of the amount Of license fees came
up. and II was found necessary change the hotel
classification somewhat The classes are to
be known hotel restaurant and hotesaloon licenses
The first class gives the privilege Of sale with meals
and in the private rooms. but bar; tile second
adds the privileges OF public bar. Each class
| is divided into two classes for the sale OF all
kinds Of liquors and tie other for fermcnied liquors
only It was then voted that the license fee should
| be an absolute fixed sum, whether It be large or
| small, and whether IT be the Same for city and
! country or not, thus giving excise boards no dis
| erection in the matter IT also voted TO make
Crosby then moved that the fec for city licenses be
| fixed at ~, 600 per year This met Win cOhsucI-
able discussion, and It being evident that the Com
| mission thought the amount TOO high DR.. Crosby
| 6.urc he would substitute 800 per year Tor H.
Commissioners IhOmanu objected even 10 mat nc
| sad that he prepared to vote for Dlli which
| would hurt one, but they must not hurt 50
| manr, such = hi-h license would do. Such a IL
| ccnsc fee would be practically prohbltory In many
cities. ExSurIogaic Rollins said: How would II
$50 per year until $3.50 reached, and then continue
! at that figure? This would enable dealers who could
not pay The high figure 10 go on Of business grad
ually and prevent losses TO those now in business.
Commits sOncr ThOmann moved 10 amend by making
the first year 800. the second year $500 and then
| increasing $50 per year as before. Owing TO the
absence of Commissioner O'Brcn II was decided not
10 iahe the vote yesterday but il evident that
! bOald. and il seemed probable that II would De,
| adopted 4 Smilar informal discussion developed
the following scale FOX beer licenses IN the cities
For the first wear $50. for The second 800. and $40
| additional each year until $50 is reached This
| scale is also itseiy 20 be adopted. The Commission
| then adjourned until tomOrrow morning al 1890