The herald., 1893-09-01
THAT LIVELY ANTI DIVE WAR;
The Police Commission Contin-
ues Its Crusade.
Licenses of Three Saloons Revoked
at Yesterdays Session.
The Saloon Keepers Appear B efore the
Commission and vafnly Make
Their Pieas-The Mayor
Makes a Ruling.

paign by revoking three saloon licenses.
The meeting Of the commission was in
deed lively one. An unsuccessful
attempt was made to revoke other
licenses.
All the members were present, and
entered into the business with vim
that did not bode we'll for the saloonists
against whom the report OF the chief OF
police was made.
Commissioner Weldon, after being
present for half an hour and after voting
on one or two OF the propositions, as ked
to be excused, when Mr.. Bosbyshell
said:
"Mr. Weldon, there are other matters
to come up"
"Well, it makes no matter about me-"
and he walked out.
On the opening of the meeting the
mayor stated that this was q special
meeting called for the purpose of taking
action upon the report OF the chief of
police, presented by Secretary Moffatt,
regarding certain saloons.
Mr.. Weldon, after hearing the report
read by the secretary, moved that the
Licenses OF the saloons mentioned in the
report be revoked. Nse
Mr.. Tufts said each of the saloon men
were entitled to hearing in their own
behalf.
Mrs. Bradieh suggested that other
saloons be looked into as we'll as the
three in question, when the mayor said
that anything done outside the three
saloons would be unlawful.
Mr.. Weldon's motion was of course
not seconded, and motion was then
carried to give the saloon men hear
ing.
The first case to be heard was that oil
the saloon on the corner of Main and
Arcadia streets, the license for which
which was issued to +. Conrad. @. F.
Gerkins, manager of the saloon, ap-
peared in behalf of the owner, and
stated that he wished to question the
man who made tho report.
"Tm the man." said Mr.. Moffatt.
But Mr.. Gerkins failed to remember
the most important part Of the idea he
had in mind, and Mr.. Moffatt took 1t up
by giving his evidence. He said the
general reputation of the place was bad.
1t is, he said, place for refugees and
prostitutes.
Gerkins refuted the statement by say
ing that his wife and other women rela-
tives were the only females who ever
visit his saloon. He asked that, in
case his license is revoked, what he
would do with his stock.
''The commission has nothing to do
with that" said Mr.. Weldon.
Mr.. Bosbyshell then moved that the
license Of F. Conrad be revoked. It
was carried unanimously.
John A. Williams, proprietor of the
saloon at 500 North Alameda street, was
called in to give evidence in his behalf
and show cause why the license OF his
place should not be revoked. He asked
for leniency on the ground that he had
a family and others to support. He
was not located where he was because
he wanted to be, but because 1t was a
question of bread and butter" with
him. He admitted having dieobeyed
the Sunday ordinance, but emphatical-
ly denied having rooms to let for the
demi-monde class. 1t was an untruth
that Otto Crueger had given a woman
money for himself. He also said that
his place was not near 90 bad as other
saloons on North Alameda street.
Mr.. Bosbyshell said the commission
had some time ago passed rule that
when saloonist violates the ordinance
regulating the hours of saloon business
more than once, that license would be
at once revoked.
Mr.. Williams admitted having been
guilty Of breaking the ordinance, but
promised to adhere strictly to it hence
forth should he be granted to keep up
his place of business. 8
1t was then moved by Weldon, Sc c.
onded by Tufts, that the license of John
A. Willisms be revoked carried.
Then came s. E. Booher, proprietor
Of the saloon on East First street, form
erly run by Joe Chambers, who was
put in the witness box" to show why
his license should not be revoked.
Secretary Moffats testified to the good
personal character OF Mr.. Booher, the
latter stating, teo, that he "never
drinks, chews or ewears."
At this juncture Commissioner We'll
don wished to be excused, and he carried
out his wish in the manner heretofore
Mr.. Booher, In refuting the statement
that his place is a refuge for prostitutes
and thieves, said that he had no personal
of either class of persons
making his place a rendezvous. AS to
the women going there, he could not
tell positively whether they were pros
titutes or even women, but said they
wear "women's Clothes"
This peculiar declaration elected a
ripple of laughter from the solemn coun-
OF the commissioners.
Mr.. Booher said he would give bonds
10 show that in the future he would II
granted a license, run Respectable
,aloon." He said he would discharge
all Objectionable employees.
A vote was then taken and IL was
unanimous for a revocation of the
icense.
Secretary Moffatt then informed the
commission that he had report Of Che
,ame ''caliber" regarding other saloon
lives in the city.
II move that we adjourn until 10 20
when We will consider the report,'' said
Mr.. Tufts.
The mayor then Immediately declared
that the meeting was called for the es-
pecial purpose OF considering the three