The herald., 1898-11-30
MUST FILE A PETITION
"A LICENSE ONCE REVOKED MUST
STAY REVOKED
UNTIL ANOTHER is SECURED
Board of Public Works and Fire Com
missioners Consider Fire Engine
House Sites

The unexpected happened yesterday
when, an hour later than the usual time OF
meeting, the board Of police commissioners
succeeded in getting together quorum and
proceeded to dispose OF two weeks business.
BY far the most important matter present
ed were the numerous protests against the
action of the commission two weeks ago, at
which time it revoked the saloon license Of
H. Schmidt. who conducted saloon at AL
South Spring street. At that time Detectives
Goodman aud Flammer charged Schmidt
with assisting gang of "steerers' to rob
John Strawbridge of S305 in his tSchmidt' s)
saloon on the night of November I'd. They
also charged him with administering
knockout drops" to the victim, and also
of selling liquor after midnight. In that re-
port, which caused a sensation at the time,
the officers stated they believed Schmidt
guilty Of the crime and believed also that
he knew the parties who robbed Straw
bridge, although the saloon proprietor de-
clared his innocence.
On November 22d Schmidt, just before the
regular meeting time of the commission, filed
an affidavit in which he denied all knowl-
edge of the robbery, and insinuatcd that the
police officers had made the charge for no
other reason than to better their financial
condition This affidavit was not considered
By the commission, as at that time the meet
ing was not held, owing to the failure to Sc
cure a quorum. Time went on, and it was
discovered that Schmidt was not the only
person directly affected by the commission 5
action Last Saturday w. +. Schroeder, an
importation from the "Fatherland." filed
with Chief of Police Glass statement which
was published in full in Sundays Herald.
In this statement it will be remembered he
declined to take the responsibility of his
partners act, and pleaded that he did not
know what Schmidt had been doing. OF
course, the commission could not consider
this plea. as under the rules of the board one
partner is held equally responsible for the
acts of the other where the matter of a
license is concerned
Yesterday Schroeder's statement was read
and was very favorably received, the COM
mission being inclined to believe that he had
been the victim of a sharper business asso-
cate than himself. Although Schmidt's af-
tidavit filed week ago with the board was
not read, that body appeared familiar with
it and took action without going through the
usual formula of reading
In Schroeder's statement he asked that
the license be transferred from Schmidt &
Schroeder to himself. Of course, this could
not be done, as the license does not exist, it
having been revoked two weeks ago. 1t
was the consensus of opinion that it would
not be justice to allow Schroeder TO lose the
capital he had placed in the business be-
cause Of the acts OF a partner, that was, be-
yond doubt, person of questionable char
acter The commission was powerless to
grant a saloon license to Schroeder unless he
applied for it in the usual form, or, in other
words, presented a petition signed by the
majority of property owners in the block
where his saloon is located. Whether or not
he will be able to do this, owing to the bad
name the place has borne for so long, cam
not be prophesed.
The license under which Schmidt &
Schroeder have been doing business expires
at midnight tonight. Schroeder asked ii he
could continue his business while he was
circulating a petition. Mayor Snyder in
formed him that he had no license and re-
ferred him to Chief Glass. Unless he is able
to present the required petition by the next
meeting Of the board there will be another
valuable saloon license for which there will
be many applicants.
This, so far as the commission is con-
cerned, is the end of the Schmidt matter as
that worthy is said to have left for parts
unknown. Before departing. it is said, he
neglected to pay certain note given in his
name ard secured by his interest in the
saloon.