The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-10-31


Rev. DR.. II. J. Whnen. pastor of the
ii rean church. was given To the press
last night by Dr. Whalen.
Dr Wh&len clearly defines his posi-
tion in ;he movement against the sun
day liquor traffic. affirming ,hat his ac-
tivity is due To the fact that the sad
results" OF liquor selling have been
manifested in the church work of his
own congregation. He vigorously in
sists that no apology is needed for his
taking up the work of suppressing the
sunday liquor traffic. ba sing his right
to do as a minister who has the spir-
irual welfare of his flock at heart. He
indicated his willingness not to prose-
cute provided there is a response ON
the part of saloon keepers to close
their places and keep them closed for
all time. He makes II proposition to
this effect.
DIR. Whalen also answers the obicc-
tions of saloon keepers to his interfer-
ence and repudiales their suggestions
as to his closing places ON the outskirts
of the city if they be forced to close
In conclusion he declares the move
ment in the name of God. in the name
of law and in the namo of common
decency.
The letter is as foloWS:
TO the Liquor Dealers of Cnrbondulc city
S!rs: In order that my attitude toward
you i'll I'll" matter Of violations of Sunday
laws may be fuzzy understood, ! beg TO
address YOU this communication.
1t Is charg" tnat admits of no sue
"essful contradiction. that for the space
Of one year past, fully % por cent. If the
men enengcd in selling Liquor in this city
d Lave Violated Sunday laws by the almost
continuous on"ning of their bars on Sun
: day: and it is matter OF positive record
that can be amply proved by competent
Witnesses that over 80 per cent. OF these
dealers have hecn notorious In these vio-
latons.
g. Will Surprise Saloon Keepers.
a little more than II year ago con-
. fclred with the chief of police, llDon this
matter and h" confessed the inability of
the force To successfully cope with the
evil. This seemed Il little strange to
some of us. that the notice who could ar.
rest. and that the mayor vino could line
the saloon pa atron tor any diSordcrlness
ON the outside, were powprlcss in dealing
with the men ON the inside VINO in atlui-
tion To being law breakers themselves
were largely responsible for the ofrenscs
OF their pm irons. fut accepting the state
m"nt of the chief. whose honor and Yer,
acitN | have never had reason 10 doubt
ms indicating the actual situation of him
self and his men, we set 10 work upou
independent limos, ami are now ready to
give the liquor dealers some surprises in
relation Ia their gross violations of law
which they have doubtless supposed were
passing an unnoticed,
My visit 10 Il First ward saloon ON Sun
day evening, September ~ was simply 10
nav" personal reason for inviting the
attention of Mayor - Neill to the conii.
lions In letter to the MAYOR and also
In a personal interview | indicated that
II was my personal wish ANA the wish of
those associated with me, that Il proper
observance OF The law might be secured
without the trouble of prosecutions and
suggested that he might in some way
notltN the liquor dealers ana warn them
thai flirther violations would be followed
by prosecutions | took this course be-
cause | did not want to appear as, the
public prosecutor of my fellow towns
men and because the mayor and myself
believed that such course might be eff
fectiVe.
The mayor, | understand. conveyed n
friendly hint To the dealers through tle
ponce force, and for one Sunday there was
a semblance OF an orderly Sabbath; ~,
by sunday October u, the old condltio.
We're restored and IN IA personal canvas
made between the hours of six and seven
in the evening, | found saloons lighted,
men.-ennsregated, and in one ease the
front door open To all comers.
This | can only regard as both a def
rpnce and challenge. which | would he
Justified In forthwith accepting hut |
am yet so loathe to take up the work of
prosecution against my fellow -townsmen
that propose further opportunity for
peaceful adjustment of the matter al is.
sue-a proposition which ought To com
mend Itself TO every fair-minded man
Proposition from DIR. Whalen.
Although 1 feel that insult has been
added to injury, am ready to pledge my.
self and my associates that no proceed
irgs will be Instituted. except against
those!dealers who from this date on shall
violate the Sunday laws; but 1t must be |
expressly understood that the violation of |
the lay will be presumed TO exist, wheY-
ever aplaee is open or lighted, and where |
men ard seen going or coming. or found |
congregated in the place. We will not at |
shis stage of the case seek to obtain legal
evidence, We do not need II. In our boy
mood days we learned that it was a poor
gunner who stirred up his birds before |
kToStding himself with ammunition. III
rms proposition places the matter Who'll |
~ IN the hands OF the men involved, and |
IL prosecutions are forced upon US, there |
VII ps qo room for any criticism OF our |
eeuan as being -nnderhanded- on unfair,