The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-15

Bv unanimous vote the city council last
night instructed the corporation counsel
to draw up an ordinance forfeitng the
LIQUOR license granted nine months ago
to c. w. Shomo, at the corner OF Secohd
avenue south and Main street. rms de-
cision was taken after the councl had
listened to the testimony of the chief OF
police and a number of detectives ana
patrolmen, from which it appeared that
the place under the management Of Shomo
was one of the toughest resorts IN
the city
As soon as the council had determined
what course should be taken in the prem
ises, Chief of Police Reed notified the
people doing business at the hlondyke
saloon to close up Immediately. Shomo's
interest in the place was disposed of some
time ago to man named McStay. 1t Is
said that McStay sold to another party
a week ago. These transfers, however,
were never recognized by the council, and
the selling of liquor by the purchasers
after Shomo without the authority OF the
council, was. 1t is alleged, illegal.
The hearing began at o'clock, when
the case came up under special order
1t developed that there was no one pres
ent representing Shomo, and no witnesses
in his behalf.
Attorney Fred Peterson asked the coun-
Gil to postpone action for week, because
the place ndq Deen puECndSeu ny IL hSW
man, who, he said, was conducting quiet
resort.
James objected to postponment: I'VE
have postponed this case several times at
the request of the attorneys" he said.
There is now no reason why we should
not act"
Chief Reed took the stand to read from
the official transcript of evidence in the
Novla case. Matt Novla was robbed of
in E1nndyka Ia
last by woman. The testimony of
Novla and of Matt Marsten, John Mar
stem and J. Johnson showed that Shomo
and his bartender has interfered to pre-
vent Novla from getting his money back
Novla was drunk. The case was dismissed
before Judge Austin, the prosecuting wit
ness being unable to fully identify the
woman.
Detectives Philips and Barbee testified
to the generally bad reputation of the
place and the prevalence of crime there
They swore that Shomo was in the habit
of selling liquor to drunken men and
harbored criminals.
officer Hubbard told the council that
Shomo had once ordered him out of his
place. He told me- said Hubbard. that
every time We came into his place we
drove business away. He ordered me
never to come after a man in his saloon
without a warrant"
hubbard lOlu OF several cases OF rob-
berry in the saloon. In particular, he said
the bartender had been notified that the
police were suspicious that a robbery
would take place. The man they were
watching was Jim Smith. The bartender
promised that at would not come OF"
Nevertheless the man was robbed and
the police were soon on Jim Smiths trail.
Officer Freeman testified in much the
same strain. The place caused the police
more trouble than any other In the city
Shomo had told him to stay out of the
saloon-that his coming In after people
interfered with his business.
officer Adams went on the stand and
told the council that Shomo had ordered
him out of his place.
II told him to put me out II he didn't
want me there" said Adams. He didn't
do it,"
According to Adams il was Shomo's
custom to furnish bonds for the thieves
arrested in his place. particularly women
from whom he obtained payment In each
case for advancing the security.
This ended the testimony. on motion
of Crichton the corporation counsel was
requested to draw up an ordinance for
feiting the license issued TO Shomo and
Chief Reed left directly to see that the
place was closed.