The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-11
WINEROOMS ARE MANY
IN FULL BLAST, DESPITE THE AS
sERTIoNs OF THE POLICE.
A Tour Of Them Last Nfght-Nembers
of women's Council Confer with
the Mayor.

where the wine-room evil was denounced.
The Journal reported the points brought
out: the fact that married and unmarried
women visited the places, that the law was
being ignored, that the trade was flourish
ing and that the women of the council de-
cided to visit the superintendent OF police
and implore him to help them eradicate the
evil. Wednesday Superintendent Colbert adj
dressed letter to the president OF the coun-
cil criticlsing that body for giving its
ton to the public. An afternoon paper yes
terday said Mrs. Josephine r. Nichols, OF
the local council, wrote Superintendent Col
bert letter, saying the council took no ac-
| ton, and that the conversation of two mem
| bers OF the council had been taken to ex-
press the sentiment of the entire council
The report Of the councils committee was
read before and discussed by the whole
council. and not by any two or three MEM
bers. A member wished TO have it printed
| in full in the daily papers. but the report
showed such terrible state OF affairs that
1t was deemed best not to have it printed
| in full. There was discussion as to wheth-
er it was best to have summary of the re-
| port made by the secretary and sent to the
papers. but this was decided against and a
| prominent member of the council arose and
said that she thought the best way for 1t
to come before the public was through the
| report made of the meeting by the regular
reporters of the papers. Mrs. Nichols said
yesterday that she had received quantities
| OF letters giving the addresses of the places
where there are wine rooms, and that the
| persons who sent the letters said that If
the ones sent were not enough more could
be furnished. Mrs. Nichols, president of the
council. Mrs. j. ). Jenckes, secretary, and
Mrs. Eliza D. linn, of the committee maxi
| ing the report, went yesterday afternoon to
Mayor Taggart's Office to talk with him
| about the matter. Mrs. Nichols furthermore
| said that she could supply Mr.. Colbert with
the addresses and that the counch would
De willing TO work with him in the suppress
sion OF the wine rooms.
Part or Superintendent COlbertS cOmmuni-
| cation to the president of the Women's
Council read as follows: I'm defense of this
department.: l desire to say to you. Mrs.
| President, that every effort possible is be-
| ing made and such has been the case since
| L took charge TO check this evil and / will
| say this, also, that we are as successful,
II not more So. than any previous police
administration in Indianapolis. on this ques-
ton. | challenge your organization, or any
| Individual member, TO show otherwise.
| II take it for granted that you are honest
| in your efforts to crush this evil, and this
department is In sympathy with your work.
| but feel that before such reports given
TO the public through the press, you should
investigate further than reports taken from
1
well known, is unfrienily politically to the
| present city administration"
After the correspondence was made pub
lie. the superintendent asked if he
really thought the members of that body
had been misinformed. lie replied: 1.-THE
letter speaks for itself. Yes. certainly
| do"
a CALL ON THE MAYOR.
Yesterday when the committee called upon
Mr.. Taggart they said it was not their in
tention to assume that wine rooms had
not existed heretofore, but they implored
him to do everything possible to stamp out
the traffic. They promised TO cooperate
with him in every way possible. Mayor
Taggart pointed cut to them some of the
difficulties that stood in the way of Grad
icating them. alluding to the trouble in
| catching the saloon men, furnishing evil
dence, etc. To those who are interested in
the subject IL may be worth while to read
the account which follows of what may
be seen in this city any day or night, not
withstanding Mr.. Colbert's assertion the
council had relied upon Enthusiastically and
Last night more than dozen saloons
were visited by Journal reporter. who
found that every one contained wine rooms.
50 arranged as 10 afford a certain degree
or privacy, and women were seen i'm sew
eral of them. In most cases the wine rooms
were fashioned by partitioning OH one end
of the saloon, generally the rear, where
they are accessible from side or back DOORS
in many cases through alley, but a
|
street There is a saloon at the southeast
corner of Indiana avenue and New York
street known as ''The Lodge" This place
occupies the point at the intersection of
the street and avenue. No less than four
separate entrances were observed Through
gate opening upon a porch on the north
side OF the building door is reached bear
ing the legend, Ladies' entrance" The
interior of the building is cut up into sew
the Railways small table stood with two
chairs placed beside IT. In other rooms
were chars ana tables. rms place is much
going in last night, women fashionably
dressed and apparently the wives of re-
spectacle men. On the opposite side of the
avenue is a saloon run by the Wachstetter
brothers. IS Indiana avenue At this place
there were two rooms. one opening out on
New York street Two glass doors opening
on New York street bear the word in big
letters. Saloon" A little sign tackled up
be the ladies' entrance. The wine room is
separated from the front bar room by a
pair of curtains. Last night a coiored man
and woman were served in this room. The
room is supplied with large table and sew
eral chairs. Still further out Indiana ave-
nue.. at the corner OF Senate avenue, on the
northwest corner, is another salooon with
a wine adjunct. The wine room is
reached from mississippi street a large
screen is so arranged as to afford protection
from the gaze of the curious peering in
through the glass doors. These cases can
not be reached by the section of the law
prohibiting partitions. but they come under
the section requiring that all liquors snail
be sold and drunk In the room specifically
described i'm the application for license
| One of these places is said to he visited by
married women-wOmen who are generally
regarded as being loyal wives. but who in
| reality have acquired the drink habit and
seek a life of gayety where plenty of con-
genial male companions and drink in abun-
dance may be found.
ON WEST WASHINGTON STREET.
Some of the most revolving features OF the
wine room evil may be observed on West
Washington street, within the neghborhood
which. in the days of the old Zoo Theater,
was known as "HeIrs half acre AT the
northwest corner of Washington street and
the Big Four tracks stands the Big Four
saloon. The saloon proper occupies the
front part of this building. In the are
small rooms or stalls. with frosted glass
devoted TO a chop house." where meals
are served. Oyster stews are sold for 10
cents while dozen raww" cost 10. But
great many of the frequenters of this
place come for drink and not food The
',chop house" and wine rooms are reached
either from the front room or by side
entrance opening off the railroad track.
Last night a woman was seen standing In
the entrance way leading from the side
door with her arms about the neck of the
waiter and her lips pressed to his. They
saw they were being observed and beat a
hasty retreat into one OF the stalls A mo-
| ment later she came ont, apparently some
| what under the influence OF LIQUOR. She
| recognized the man who saw her kissing the
waiter and said to him laughingly 1T
wasn't fair for you TO watch me. don't