The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-27
EFFECT OF THE NATION CRUSADE
DRINKING PLACES RESEMBLE SIMI-
LAR RESORTS IN INDIANA,
But Beer Il Not Sold from Kegs-Iron-
clad Laws Easy of Enforcement
Have Become NuIlitfes.

StitutiOnally, but practically IL is as wide
open as Indianapolis ever was. Just now
the saloon element-perish the thought OF
saloon element in Kansas; the joint ele-
ment, 1 should SAYS enjoying unusual
license as the result OF the apathy follow
ing the Carrie Nation crusade. That move
ment had far-reaching effects, and as a
result anti-joint officers were elected in
nearly all towns and counties. Then came
an attack on the constitutionality of an
amendment to the law an amendment
passed through Joint" infiuence-and the
joints flourish. while one court after an
other passes on the question.
The only differences between a Kansas
joint and an Indianapolis saloon are about
900 miles and the former does not sell keg
beer. AS rule, the joints are hand
somely fitted up with the regulation bar,
the usual large ice box, the expensive fix
lures and the large plate-glass mirrors.
Cut-glass ware is on the sideboard. while
a bartender in spotless white jacket and
apron serves the thirsty. Beer is sold only
by the bottle, and, except on holidays and
gala days. all other drinks and mixed
drinks are sold as they are over Indiana
bars. On special days whisky is not sold
bottles and is not sold in less quantity.
The result is many more drunken men in
a Kansas crowd than in an Indiana crowd.
Higher prices are charged, and Joint
keeper either makes or loses money very
fast. There is one 'joint" keeper who bor-
rowed the money to begin business eight
years ago. To-day he owns his home, owns
a two-story brick block in which the
Joint" is located, and is known to have
large balance in bank. This is in a town
of 1000 people. On the other hand, an ex
jointkeeper told me the other day that he
struggled along for three years with his
joint in larger place and then quit-with-
out a cent-because he had TO pay to the
county attorney SO month, as we'll as
lesser amounts to the police judge, the city
attorney the marshal and the night watch.
1t took all his profits, and he is now farm
ing.
INSIDE A JOINT"
One "joint" Is like another. The lead
ing "ioint" in one Kansas town is a large
storeroom with plate-glass windows. On
each window is the owners name, and
underneath it Zine Cigars and Tobacco.
The curtains on both doors and windows
are always down, but the front door
stands open and patrons walk in and out
at all hours. About fifteen feet back from
the door Ia a partition across the room,
i'm which there is a door. Just now, While
the reaction from the Nation crusade is In
full effect, this door stands wide open, but
in front of II Is a large plate-glass screen.
On one side of the room is the desk of
the proprietor On the other side is the
cigar case when things tight, but now
the cigar case Is moved to the end of the
bar In the door TO the barroom is
small peephole. which is used when the
necessity arises.
After passing behind the screen and
through the door, the barroom is found to
be the regulation kind, with oak bar, side
board and fixtures equal to those in the
leading saloons of Indianapolis. One cor
ner Of the room is partitioned off so as to
make a large room, which now contains
chairs and tables and is used for games OF
cards or private parties. This room is also
used as a reserve barroom when ofncers
enforce the law. No attempt is made to
mislead as TO the character OF the business
conducted. and the Joint" is conducted
as openly for the sale Of LIQUOR as is the
grocery for foodstuffs Nor is the Joint"
hidden in a back alley; 1t is on the bust
ness street and next door to the leading
grocery.
Gambling is carried on more openly In
the Kansas joints than in Indiana saloons.
1 stepped off the train in one Kansas town
last week and saw on the platform q com
plete gambling outfit.
''Is that billed to you?" asked a man In
uniform, and who proved to be the mar
shall.
"Oh, no." he answered. "A couple Of
new Joints are going to be opened here. and
that is for one OF them"
Later 1 was talking with the marshal
and police judge.
Are there any joints here?" 1 asked
eyes, indeedv' said the Judge I'VE have
a fine one now, and two more will be
started soon"
Both officers were elected on a platform
demanding vigorous law enforcement. In
answer to my question as TO why they did
not enforce the law they said 1T cannot be
done until the Supreme Court passes on
the constitutionality of the last amend
ments.
Two weeks ago there was large gather
ing in a Kansas town not far from the
Missouri line The owner of the largest
''joint" extended his bar, hired two extra
bartenders and early in the morning OF the
celebration he had himself arrested for
running a Joint" He took his own wit
nesses. was tried at once and fined $50
This he paid and was not disturbed again,
but all the time his joint was open and
three bartenders and a thirsty crowd put
into his pocket his fine many times over.
1t depends on city officers. and 1 told
that few enforce the law.
ATTACKING THE LAW.
The Observation-Disclosures now realize that
il is impossible 10 secure a repeal of the
constitutional provision, and for years they
have attacked the law, section by section.
The Supreme Court has passed on all OF
it. and now new tactics are followed. At
each session OF the General Assembly
amendments are made TO the law to pro-
vide for its more vigorous enforcement.
At the last session unheard-of powers were
conferred on county attorneys as TO the
right to subpoena witnesses, and power was
given 20 police courts which is rarely used
by higher courts As soon az finsl adjourn