The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-08-14
SANE In PAWTUCKET.
Policemen Make Reports but Higher
Officials Do Not ACT.

Pawtucket Aug 1L-Are there mem-
bers OIL the police force of this city. who
protect certain places where the law is
violatedg According TO reports from
different sections of the city, there Is
every reason to believe That the law is u
dead letter so far as 10 applies to certain
kitchen barrooms some drug stores,
grocery stores and disorderly houses.
That such places exist is no secret. but
according To the number OF arrests or the
natuEe of the raids made by the officers.
il would appear that Pawtucket is a city
where Off ,ers are almost "a suDerfluity, for
but few offenders are brought TO justice.
Are some of the police force "ilxedY'
Appearances indicate that such is the fact.
1t is only q few weeks ago that this paper
quoted the words used by the wife of
man who defied a raid, and said her bus-
band had too many powerful friends in
the city to fear visit from the poli,e
The woman was asked If thoy had police
protection. and tho answer was evasive.
Inquiries have been systematically made
for some days in regard TO the reason why
dlsorderly places and houses where liquor
and beer are sold, are not raidpd, and
new light is thrown upon the matters.
1t Is positive fact that places of
questionable nature nave been reported 20
Headquarters by officers on some of the
beats, bat no action was taken to sup-
press them.
It is also learned that some mon In
this city of high social standing are
either patrons Of places where the law is
violated or are the owners OF the property
where such Is done.
In q conversation with prominent Re-
publican of this city, the statement was
made To the reporter that all such places
20 which reference has been made, could
be closed up in very short time If MEM
bers of the City Council would give the
police department. an order TO that effect.
1t is not long since q certain official
saw a mi nor leave q saloon with pail OF
beer. The official took the beer from the
child, and went into the saloon. What
took place there is not known but
although there was beer in the pail
neither the owner of the place nor the
bartender, has been prosecuted.
Then, again. there are certain Kitchen
barrooms, which are never visited. IL Ia
known that there is one between Benefit
street and Central avenue. The proprietor
is policeman and Red Sealer his
place is sacred, although drunken men
and women have been seen TO leave it,
NO PROTECTION FOR LICENSEES.
There are about 1l5 saloons in this city
and the proprietors Day into the city
treasury $3.50 each per annuin, or total
sum of SO. 250, ons quarter OF which goes
into the state treasury.
The money they pay legally gives them
the exclusive right to sell Intoxicating
drinks, but this right is not protected, for
| it is said that the drug stores sell nearly
as much whisky by the glass as do the
| licensed dealers. There Is no attempt TO
| enforce the law in this respect Either
| the authorities dare not or will not com
| pel the drug owners to sell whisky as is
| provided by the law.
The result is that very profitable trade
| Is conducted at the drug stores. Tho pro-
| prietors are rapidly becoming rich. lt Is
| a fact that few years ago young man
started in the business with n iew thou-
| sand dollars and now hv Is worth prob
| ably S2h. 600 1t was not all made from
drugs. He did, and still does back room
business.
There are men who have no knowledge
of mixing drugs, but as tho business is
profitable they hire registered pbar-
mist to attend to tho prescriptions and
when tho owner is not engaged in selling
the whisky from the soda fountain he
picks up a little knowledge about the
drugs, $50 that in fow years no is able TO
pass an examination.
Sometimes tho drug clerk is taken ms
partner. but the only interest he has in
the business is the salary he receives each
week.
III some OF tho drug stores depended
upon the amount of prescriptions hlleu
and the demand for patent drugs eacn
week they would soon close. In sections
of tho city where there are no saloons
there may bo seen several drug stores Ihis
is particularly noticeable ON Pheasant
View and in Woodlawn.
Thon there Is the kitchen barroom.
Much has been said about these places.
They are only too often tho places whore
vonno people receive such n training that
they grow up to lead vicious lives. lt Is
hut seldom that the officers mako raids
upon them, and some are never visited.