New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-06-24
SOMETHING LIKE A DESERT
AT LEAST 1T SEEMED so TO MANY
THIRSTY PEOPLE.


STRICT ENFORCEMENT OF THE EXCISE LAW
YEsTERDAy-HARD TO GET DRINKS IN
THE HOTEL DISTRICT.
Those persons who have doubted the sincerity
of Police Commissioner Roosevelt in declaring
that he would not only close every saloon In
New-York in compliance with the excise law, but
would also shut up the buffet rooms In the
various hotels. had ample demonstration OF the
earnestness of the new president OF the Ponce
Board yesterday. To say that yesterday was a
dry" Sunday in New-York is only citing an abb
soute fact. The oldest citizen in the metropolis
with bibulous habits-wh!ch are generally as
much in evidence on Sunday as any other day In
the week-after making the usual rounds yester-
day pronounced the day to be record-breaker.
Seldom In the history of Manhattan Island, so
say these historians has such a condition OF af-
fairs been known to exist upon Sunday.
When Police Commissioner Roosevelt said
some days ago that ne Intended to put n stop 10
the sale Of liquors In these leather ana bunet
rooms in the large hotels even II he had to break
n few captains in attaining this end, the public
and especially the public who live in frequent
these large hotels and have heard just such
threats many times before. smiled incredulously
bcrs of the police force and especially the police
captains the words OF Commissioner Roosevelt
had more significance. The blue-coated and
gold-strped members Of the police force have at
last awakened to the fact that the new presi-
don't 10 not n man To be triled with. and that
when he makes an assertion he means every
word Of II TIL. result was that yesterday all
hotel propr.ctors were decsivcy informed that
they must shut up or undergo arrest With few
executions the first course chosen. and the
bibulous part OF the public suffered as conse-
quence.
THE DRIEST FOR A LONG TINE.
These provisions made II an exceedingly hard
matter for the drinkers Of the town to ma
nIaces wherein they might sake their thirst.
The measures adopted for the enforcement OF
the excise law by the police. while they did not
succeed In altogether stopping the sales OF alco-
holic drinks. came go near accomplishing 1t that
the day was the driest Sunday known for long
time. The plan Of statlon.ng policeman at the
sidedoor Of every saloon was followed as far as
possible In most Of the precincts but as the bar
rooms far outnumbcr the police force even were
the officers all on duty at one time. there were
many placcs left unguarded Along the Bowery.
and In the adjoining streets. saloons which nave
M, hcen closed n minute In years were strictly
Guarded but further uptown along Third-ave.
u,tle difficulty was encountered in getting a
drink The toner's of the Bowery however. did
NJ, know thls and their suffcrings were plainly
evident as thoy went from orc 70 another OF
their regular haunis only TO have admission re-
fused them and TO be told that no business was
being done.
downtown the tension was nearly as great,
and one well-known tavern near the brooklyn
Bridge which for years has admitted It's patrons
by tho front door on Sunday and during the
prohibited hours OF the night. was tightly barred.
In the crowded East side sections downtown
tho enormous number ~ saloons gave the ponce
much trouble IN their efforts To keep an eye on
all ~ them. ana TO sre that they did not vioiat"
the law
An incident ~ the day. on the East side. was
the mishap that bcic Policeman John J. Hickey
who is attached 90 the Oak-si. station, but was
assigned for duty during the DAY IN the Madison
IT precinct Policeman Hickey was assisting
Policeman Shea ~ the Madi')n-st station To
make an excise arrest A. the saloon ~ Cum
mlngs a. Mooney at 40. 81 Market-st Tn"
prisoner was violent and fought the TWO officers.
md I'm tie midst u the scrimmage blow from
slets billy. which was aimed AZ the prisoner
landed on Hickey's head. slight scalp W. una
WAS the result but after having the wound
dressed al the station house Hickey returned 10
duty.
N THE "TENDERfOfN"
I'm the "TcnAerloin" district. especially among
the large hotels the law was obeyed almost to the
letter In the past when some spasmodic wave of
r.r,rfn has barred the doors OF the saloons The
,iuo,l.r has always found relief In these leather
and bun.i rooms but II was different yesterday.
r. y. sure the cafes were open. but there was
something In the derncanor ~ the whtc-aproncd
walters that told the story without inquiry. Any
thing in the way of food chccrfully served.
but alcoholic drinks were not to In had
AZ the Hoffman House the Holland House. the
Rrunswck the Waldorf ard many ~ the other
hip un,o,n hotels In the buffct-room the chairs
were turned up against the tables. and no guests
were admitted In case a person wished to order
4 meal and something liquid with IT, the privilege
was extended This was largely taken advantage
- and the restaurants did a rushing business
during tn. day Those ea,lng-houses up ana
,,oun broadway which are open on Sunday
caught a great deal OF the trade that was turned
away from the hotels. and We're not mocstei In
the sale II drinks. one hotel in upper broadway
that is much frequentcd by the theatrical profess
sion ala not heed the new order Of things at all.
This hotel has A large open summer garden IN the
rear. where meals and drinks are served. This
garden was well patronzed during the afternoon
and evening and a steady stream Of walters
passed between IT and a blind" bar carrying
heavily laden trays. Many guests of hotels were
told when they came downstairs yesterday morn
ing that they could have drinks served In their
rooms II they so desired. and as a result many at