Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1896-03-09
LIQUOR DEALERS ORGANIZE.
Frseland Branch Starts Out With
Large Number OF Members.


Large Number OF Members.
At meeting of the retail liquor
dealers of Freeland on Friday at the
Central hotel branch of the Retail
Liquor Dealers Association OF Pennsyl-
vania was formed. P. II. Nolan, OF
Philadelphia, an organizer of the as
sociation, was present and delivered an
effective address upon the necessity of
liquor dealers organizing and protecting
themselves against those who are trying
to ruin their business. The local branch
elected the following officials:
President-Stephen Drasher.
First vice president-Edward Murphy.
Second vice president-John Rugan.
Recording secretary-John Shigo.
Financial ecretary-Frank Eberett.
Treasurer-S. DePierro.
Sergeant-at-arms-R Welsh.
Member of state committee-I. A. Fry.
Nearly all the saloon men of town
were enrolled, and considerable interest
was taken in the matter.
The State Association was formed
March Z, 1895, and is similar to the
Liquor Dealers Association of New
York, New Jersey, Ohio, Illinois, Con-
necticut and other states, all of which
are connected with the National Liquor
Dealers Association of the United States,
which organization is unalterably op-
posed.
First-To the attempt to increase the
internal revenue tox from $25 to $50 per
year.
Second-To an increase of the tax on
beer 81 per barrel.
Third-To an increase of the tax on
whisky from s1.1Oto 81. so per gallon.
The objects of the Pennsylvania State
Association, briefly stated, are as follows:
First-It is the recognized fact that in
many parts of the state the system of
"blackmailing" has grown to such an
extent that it will eventually drive
out of the liquor business many honest
dealers. This we propose to prevent by
legislative enactments.
Second-We propose to repeal such
laws as are now on the statute books
of this state of an oppressive and fam
atical character.
Third-We propose to secure, if pos
sible, reduction of the present high
license fee, so as to enable the retail
dealer to save at least fifty per cent of
the license which he is now forced to
pay, and which is acknowledge to
be extortionate by every fair-minded
man, whether engaged in the business
or not.
Fourth-The association will exercise
its influence in favor Of every respect
able dealer now in the business and
guard against an over increase OF the
number of licenses, particularly to dive
keepers and other disreputable persons,
thereby guaranteeing fair compensa-
tion on the investment in the business.
Fifth-Public opinion is against the
existence of ''speak easies," as shown by
the recent expressions of the mayors of
many cities of the commonwealth. The
association will use every legitimate
means to assist the authorities of all
cities and towns in the suppression Of
these unlawful and obnoxious places.
Sixth-The association also pledges its
support to the brewers of the various
cities and towns of this commonwealth
who will aid the legitimate dealer, by
having orders for malt and brewed
liquors from clubs and other unlicensed
places filed through licensed retail
dealers.
Seventh-The association does not be-
long to any political party. 1t is an or
ganization of merchants banded together
solely for business interests, and for the
mutual protection OF all engaged in the
legitimate liquor trade.