Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-28
JUST A TRIFLE WARM.
Retail Liquor Men Mad and Will Form
a Big Organization.
WHOLESALERS DISOBEY THE Law.
VIII Try to Abolish the 1O-Mill Tax and
Ask Favor of the Court.
TIE BOYCOTT FEATURE BROUGHT OUT

In anticipation of the $1,000 liquol
license to be imposed upon retail dealers in
cities of first and second class next year
protective organization of the leading
saloon keepers will be formed in Pittsburg.
About $50 dealers met in MELONS
Hall on Wednesday to discuss the in.
terests of their business, and among
the most potent matters relative to the
business was the inconsistent treatment OF
= aolesalers to the retailers. The latter
claim the former hurt their daily business
by not living up to the Brooks law and
selling in smaller quantities than quarts.
Another matter discussed was a PROPOSE
tion made to have a committee appointed to
call upon the license judges and ask them
to hold the license court before April 1.
The 10-mil tax was considered un-
fair, and means will be taken to abolish
IL through the efforts of the organization.
John O'Neil, of the Sixth Avenue Hotel,
presided temporarily at the meeting.
Object of the Ten-Min Tax.
Many retail dealers have not paid this
tax and say they don't intend to. They will
give the city contest in the Supreme Court
first.
Some of the prominent retailers were not
present, but when the object of the organi-
cation was laid before them they heartily
Endorsed it, and said the dealers were now
making the proper move to further their in
terests and protect themselves against un-
scrupulous wholesalers.
John Newell, of Fifth avenue, was one Of
those spoken to. He said:
The wholesalers knock us in more ways
than one by their illegal actions. Many of
them not only sell in such small quantities
as pintS, but I hear of few doing what is
called barrel trade that is, selling by
the drink. These are only the Cheap John
places where law and the quality of whisky
Is entirely overlooked. Even the better
class Of wholesalers hurt us. A man goes
and buys quart of liquor at 81 per bottle,
drinks it, floats about town, and in and out
OF the saloons. He doesn't go in there to
buy, but instead ne will take a drink out of
his bottle.
Newell Favors an Organization.
''The only thing he leaves is the empty
glass wal. Why, it was only last night my
porter found the waste pipe stopped up. and
Investigating closely found a big empty
bottle i'll it, Some bum used that means
TO get rid of it. Yes, 1 think if the retail
people stick together there are many injur-
lous factors now existing which can be
eliminated. It's right, and indorse it..
James Pyatt, another retailer, was an
other gentleman who did not attend
the meeting, but from what
he lerrned of the object he
is in favor of an organization. There is
but very few wholesale liquor houses in
town where you can't go and get as small a
quantity as pint They hurt our business,
and if We are compelled to pay 81 900 next
year, why we want some chance to make
bread money. This past year has not been
one any retail liquor dealer could go out
into the street and yell with Joy over.
There has been too many things working
against US. Strikes, scarcity of money,
speak-easies ard illegal wholesalers actions
All Of these have hurt us, and L am in favor
Of advocating some organization which will
tend TO its betterment.
Inc court for granting license is hoped to
he changed TO date before April 1, in |
order to give the tenant chance to make |
other arrangements should his license be |
refused. a committee consisting of George
Tam, Huckeustien, Ruhlandt, Ahlers and |
others was appointed. Another meeting |
will be held next week, when proposition |
is to be made whereby any wholesaler |
who is known TO have sold in pints or
otherwise hurt the retailer by not obeying |
the law will be boycotted by the organi- |
ZatiOu