The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-06-19
A RAID AT COMFY ISLAND.
POLICE DECIDE TO FIND OUT WHAT'S
WHAT AND WHO'S VINO.

Fourteen Arrests to Test tho Rnines Law
and Two to Fix the Status of Concert
Hnlls-Nobody but tho Proprietors Inter
fered with and Joy Was Unconined.
In accordance with his instructions from
Chief Devery. Capt. Kenny Of the Coney Island
station descended on the concert and dance
halls on the island yesterday afternoon and
made fourteen arrests for violations OF the Ex-
else law and two for violations OF the Sunday
Concert law. There was no excitement over
the arrests and Capt. Kennys action didn't
interfere with nybcdy's good time. for the
call OF liquor and beer went on without inter-
ruption.
Chief Devery's orders to Capt. Kenny were
issued three weeks ago. and tho Captain i'm
mediately notified the concert and dance hall
keepers of his intention to see that the Excise
law was obeyed. The latter decided to sell soft
drinks on Sundays until they had chance to
get their legal bearings. and most Of Thorn did
80 last Sunday and tho Sunday before. Ed
ward Kojan. who keeps the Casino on Surf
avenue. and Frank HASKELL. hotel keeper. do
fed Capt. Kenny. however. and last Sunday
HASKELL was arrested. The following day he
was discharged by Magistrate Nostrand. who
held that he had not necessarily violated the
law because he had sold beer and liquor at his
h2fe whe e 6 was gon nsr ON b sated
over Hashell's discharge and on Saturday they
formed themselves into an organization and
decided to do business yesterday despite Capt.
kenny's warning They notified the Captain
Of their intentions and invited him to mako one
the law. The Captain told them that he'd
make as many arrests as he saw fit and the
concert hall men went away very much in
censed.
At noon yesterday Capt. Kenny sent out three
men In plain clothes with orders to spend the
afternoon arresting concert and dance-hall
keepers who sold beer or liquor in their places.
The result was the arrest OF the following, for
violating the Excise law: Capt. Arnold Gruber
Of the Sea Beach Palace; George Lawrence,
Central Park Pavilion: Henry, Roster. yolks'
erlck B; Henderson. Henderson, Walk; John
I. Roe, Inman's Casino: J. F, Cohen. Perry's
Glass Pavilion; William Harris Greater Now
York Hotel: Michael Vaccas. West End Casino
James MCGOWAN. the Ahambra: Martin Nc
Donald, Camp Juno; Fred Whitman. Seeley's
Pavilion; Edward Kojan, the Casino. and
August Wilson, the Belvidere. John Vaett Of
the Streets Of Asia and Albert T.. Tice Of
Darkness and Dawn " were arrested for con-
Quoting theatrical performances.
All of the prisoners were bailed out at once.
Steers this morning. and his decision will be
watched for with interest by both the police and
the concert hall people. Frederick B. Hendcr-
son. a representative Coney Island concert
hall man and one of those arrested yesterday.
told SUN reporter that as he had paid $3.50
for concert hall license and $500 for a hotel
license. he didn't see wherein he was violating
the law by holding concert and selling beer
and liquor at the same time; All OF the other
concert hall men feel about the same and are
determined to fight the cases to the bitter end.