Omaha daily bee., 1897-01-10

ing property owners are able to show that
the existence of a saloon at the location
proposed would be q menace to the safety
or order of the neighborhood or a detri-
ment to adjacent property. The existence
of a church or school in the immediate
neighborhood of the proposed saloon is al
most certain to result in the refusal of
the license and several applications are
turned down on this account every year.
If the license is refused the license money
Is refunded by the city treasurer.
VIXEN the licenses were under the con-
troll of the excise board these considerations
were less material than at present. The
board consisted of the mayor, city clerk
and president of the council, and naturally
the securing OF a license was largely q
matter of politics. Some of the toughest
joints that ever existed in the city were
able to secure license without a particle
OF trouble and the abuses that grew out
of the system finally led to the abolition
OF the excise board and adding the duties
to those of the Board of Fire and Police
Commissioners. which had then been in ex-
istence for about two years.
The records of the Excise board are buried
away In the basement of the city hall with
lot OF other musty archives and 1t would
require long search to locate them. The
license applications were turned over to the
present board in 1889 and from that time
to the present the records have been kept
by the secretary and are easily available.
They show that the number OF sllOons
reached the maximum in 1891 and since 1898
has constantly decreased. The decrease has
amounted to ffty-fve in iiye years and a
slight additional decrease is expected when
this years applications are all disposad OF.
Only three licenses were granted by The pres
ent board In 1883, the others having been
secured before the new law became operative.
In 1890 241 licenses were issued in 1891, 251:
1892, 237; 1893, 2i3; 1894, 224; 1895, 211, and
In 1896, 1856. 1t is expected that the licenses
issued for 1897 will fall slightly below the
number last named.
During tho past few years the large brew
Ing companies have acquired almost entire
control OF the saloons. This Is to some ex-
tent due to the hard times, which have made
1t difficult for a saloon keeper to raise the
81 900 necessary for his license. Consequently
the brewing compa MES put up the money as q
loan, which is paid back by the saloon men
during the year. The breweries send their
man around once a week and he collects a
certain percentage OF the amount. In con-
sideration OF the loan the saloon keeper
makes exclusive use OF the brand OF beer
by the particular establish
ment that put up his license money and his
allegiance to the brewery is indicated by the
gorgeously painted sign that adorns the ex-
terror of his building
1t is not generally known that not only
the small establishments but many OF the
most pretentious saloons in the city secure
their licenses In this manner. In some cases
tho license is taken out In the name Of the
occupant, but In case he does not conduct
his place In a manner satisfactory to the
brewing company. the company simply takes
out the license itself the next year and the
former proprietor can remain as a sort OF
hired hand or get out as best he can. In
this manner the breweries have accumulated
quite a number OF saloons In various parts
OF the city, which they own and operate.
putting In some individual as the nominal
proprietor.
The plan for securing licenses outside OF
tho city limits is very similar. the only dif-
ference being that the annual fee is only
$500 and the Board of County Commissioners
passes on the application, The applicant files
an application signed by thirty freeholders
OF the precinct and with 1t the customary
bond. Protests are heard by the county board
and the application is passed upon In the
same manner that the city. applications arc
considered by the Board Of Fire and Police