The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-03-06
Excise Commissioner Seibert Asks
Detail of Police to Gather More
Comprehensive Information.
SAYS HE WILL ENFORCE LAW.
He Is Not Satisfied With Recent
Trials-He Promises to Insti-
tute Satisfactory
Conditions.

AS this weeks proceedings will close the
preliminary inquiry into the management
! of certain saloons by Excise Commissioner
Seibert. the establishments having been in
dictated In reports made to the Police De-
partment by patrolmen. he addressed an
other communication yesterday to Chief Of
Police kiely requesting u detail OF eight
special officers In order to conduct a COM
prehensive investigation.
MIR. Seibert states that 1t Is his purpose
to procure general information that will en-
able him to adopt and maintain a worthy
system for the proper performance of his
duties as Excise Commissioner He says 1t
Will be his object to oblige dealers to con-
form to the law. and ne promises to insti-
tute conditions that probably will meet with
general favor. While he shall not hesitate
to revoke u license for fragrant violation
OF the law. nor to refuse a license for suff-
Client reason, he will proceed judiciously
and strive to be impartial. In general. he
proposes to apply rules of common equity
in each case.
The communication sent to Chief Kiely
follows:
Professor a sommunicatlon calling upon The
r reports Df By di&stpiet leF s shominr sp tsa n and detail ot
places in the city. II any. at which liquors are
being sold or dispensed. Also the number and
location Of dramshops. IL any. being conducted
withou, license. Also the number and
location of dramshops being operated with wine
room attachments partit!oned OF into bins or
stalls. whereby the occupants and frequenters
are screened from public View. Also the num-
her and location of drarshops. II any. IRE
quented by disIepu;able women. and lastly the
number and location OF dranshOps. II any. be-
Ing operated in connection with houses OF assiy-
nation or prostitution.
In obedience to said request reports were Tads
hy the Captains OF the various districts, W.leEs-
In 1t is found that some 16 dramshop keepers
were reported. whcreupon l caused notice to pc
served on each and every one so reported to
appear tefore the Excise Commissioner at differ
ent dates to show cause. II any they might have.
why their license should not be revoked. Some
ninety or more cases have been heard, and the
remaining cases will be disposed Of this week..
Numerous persons, some of whom are profni-
nent citizens OF the city, have complained to
ms that many OF the most Objectionable resorts
In the city were omitted in making up said re-
ports. The character Of testimony eliuced M
the trials causes me to believe that the reports
made We're incomplete. Therefore. in order that
l may have tho fullest and most reliable infor,
issue to enable me to deal with the subject
under consideration int diligently and justly.
request that you furnish me with a detail OF
eight special officers. composed, or your Wost
fearless and trusted men. In order that l may
Instruct them personally as to. the k,nu OF
inquiry and character of information l desire 10
obtain.
ton in this investigation.