The evening world., 1894-06-30
BIC OFFICIALS MIXED UP IN It.
Liquor Dealers Forced to Sign
Af6davits Denying Other
Afdavits They Made.
EFFORTS TO EXPOSE THE GANG.
Certain Newspapers Knew the Facts
but Decided at the Last Mo-
ment Not to Print them.

The slight reference made before the
Lexow Investigating Committee yester-
day to the Hollywood Whlskey Com
pany, and the fact that liquor dealers
had beer forced to buy that particular
brand or suffer persecution from the po-
lice. has set the PUBLIC wondering what
it all means. The reference, however
slight, seems to indicate that Lawyer
John w. Goff intends, when the Com
mittee resumes its sessions. to have all
the facts laid bare. As he cannot do
that, however. for several months to
come, THE Evening World" to-day
throws a little light on that corporation
and the manner in which, from compare
tive obscurlty, it rose in a night, as it
were. to be big concern. with its signs
displayed IN a majority OF the saloons
lii this city.
1t Is not generally known that about
six years ago the wholesale liquor
dealers were in despair over the sudden
impetus given to the sails Of Hollywood
whiskey, some Of them fearing they
would be driven out of the business
For years they had supplied whiskey to
the retailers, particularly of the small
err class. The relations between whole
saler and retailer ware OF the most cor
dial nature until about the time stated
when the wholesale men gradually felt
the trade slipping from them. At first
they could not understand the change
until one day a certain retailer en-
tered the office OF Peter McQuade, a
well-known wholesale man and one of
the officers of his organization.
" am sorry the retailer began. II
81 n n 10
but cannot pay you. Nor will l be able
to do so FOR II long time
=" No hurry about that" was the reply.
You can get your whiskey from me
-" But / cannot, Mr.. Mcouade. The po-
lice viii not let me. l must buy from
the Hollywood Company or efose up my
AS q wholesale dealer, Mr.. McQuade
had heard u the Hollywood whisiey,
but had never regarded 1t in serious
had struggled on 70 for t Years. but ' tSe
brand was not handled by the wholesale
men,, He asked many questions OF the
retailer, and elected the information
precinct named had tod him he would
have to buy the Holly wood whiskey. or
CLOS CLOSE up up after hours anH on Sunday.
day than any. other day OF the week.
McQuade called a meeting OF the officers
Of his soeietE, AND the facts were laid be-
ioIc ~ N1s utCIgtu 10 see ~
many OF the retailers as possible and as
certain how far the threats had en-
tended; The result Satisfied hen, a. to
s why ne trsds h had Then
result they concluded that Inspector
Williams as well as other officials In the
Hollywood company, and that the or
ders to tie retailers had come from that
source.
N oil 10,
S3ey. would have little d!mculty in
aehting the police. Every influence pos
stble was brought TO bear on the powers
that be 10 aid them But the threats
wholesale men were left almost without
q customer of any kind.
If public opinion could be brought to
bear upon the case II was thought the
police officials would retire from the
was informed Of the facts. He knew he
the sensations Of the day. he figured out,
and when the wholesale men Offered to
pay. him well for his services he refused.
Any paper. In New York he said.
well for It. do not want your money"
The reporter went to work on his
sensation" The names of half dozen
retailers who were friendly to the whole;
sale men were given to him. They all
made affidavits to the effect that they
had been coerGsd by the police into buy
Ing hOllyWOOu whlskey.
After writing his story, and with the
affidavits as proof, Smith started out 10
sell 1t to the first, paper he thought Of
for thousand dollars or so. He showed
It to the city editor, nho told him II
asked to call again next day and hear
what the managing editor had 20 say.
When he called again the manuscript
was returned TO him.
.The story Is not in our line" he was
told.
The newspaper man was amazed. He
took his manuscript to another paper.
The result was the same, and SO was
II with all the newspapers which he APP
preached. II was then, as stated, that
the Wholesale men decided to start
paper for their own protection, and they
did, with Reporter Smith in charge. II
is still running.
Abram 9. Hewitt was then Mayor OF
New York. and IN desperation the whole
sale men forwarded the afiidavits to him
and asked for an Investigation. The
Mayor was surprised, but instead OF
fading action himself he referred the
matter. and sent the complaint and am
lI,a,, ,,s,. a. S,,onh RIns