New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-12
A CONFERENCE ON EXCISE.
PROSECUTORS DISCUSS THE DIFFICULT
TIES OF THE RAINES LAW

COLONEL FELLOWS BELIEVES THAT HE MUST
BEGIN THE PROSECUTION OF ALL PERSONS
ACCUSED OF VIOLATIONS.
There was long conference in the private room
of Recorder Golf. In the Criminal Courts Building.
yesterday afternoon. when a number Of the per-
picking provisions OF the Raines Liquor Tax law
were discussed. The conference had beer called to
decide upon lines Of procedure in the prosecution OF
excise cases which have been sent to the District
Attorneys office since the passage OF the Raines
law. The men at the conference the Recorder.
District-Attorney Fellows and several OF his assist
ants. Dstrct-Attorney Backus OF Brooklyn. and
his assistant. William o. Miles. The conference
began about noon and lasted five hours.
One important point In the discussion concerned
the right OF a City Magistrate under the new law
to hold prisoners for trial In excise The
Magistrates think that they have nothing to do with
such cases. and Colonel Fellows has come to the
conclusion that he must begin the prosecution in
all such by causing the Indictment OF persons
accused number OF persons accused Of violating
the law have been held by the Magistrates. how
ever. and the Grand Jury has found indictments In
several such cases.
Charles Stewlrt Smith. the foreman OF the Grand
Jury. was impressed by the uncertainties Of the law
last Thursday. and he consulted with Recorder Goff
as to what the Grand Jury should do under certain
circumstances. The Recorder absolutely
certain and he suggested that the Grand Jury sus-
pend action in the excise until a clear
position OF the law could BE- obtained from COM
petent authority. 1t then decided to have the
conference. 1t was expected that Mr.. Smith would
be present. but he did not appear at the meeting.
Assistant District-Attorey Battle. however. sub
mitted written list of questions which the Grand
Jury desired to be enlightened upon The list COW
cred several provisions OF the new law. One
TO a more particular definition OF what meant
by screen. Another was as 10 the prosecution
Of alleged yiolaors who sold under license issued
by the old Excise Board.
After the conference District-Attorney Fellows
and Recorder Goff said there really nothing to
make public about the discussion. They said they
had been trying to get fuller Interpretation of the
Ranes law. Recorder Gof said II possible he
might rechargc the Grand Jury tomorrow In regard
TO the Raines law. as result Of the conference.
A number restaurant-keepers went to the Ex
else Board Or advice about keeping their places
open to- Most OF them said they would be
willing give up their liquor licenses II they
could food. Commissioner Hamburger
told them to move out their bars and all liquor In
the place and they could keep open Several, he
said. did this last Sunday and were not molested by
the police
Chief Conlin said that the Raines law would be
enforced rigidly to-day. "Al liquor saloons must
close at midnight tonight" he said. land must
main closed until o'clock Monday morning and the
interior Of every place must be fully exposed to
view from the street" There will be Interior
ence with clubs Chief Conlin stated that restau-
rants can keep open 80 long as they have no bars
and do not serve or expose beer or liquor