New-York tribune., 1902-02-08
LAYS ITON THE GOVERNOR.
$. p c.. IN LETTER TO HIM SAYS HE
is RESPONSIBLE FOR RAINES LAW
HOTEL VIOLATIONS.

That less than one-third OF the Raines law
hotels in Manhattan and The Bronx conform IN
all respects to the requirements of the Liquor
Tax law is the assertion made in conmuni-
cations which have been sent to Governor odel
by the Society for the Prevention of Crime. Inc
letters were given out yesterday by Secretary
Kenneson of the society, at the United Charities
Building. He would make no comment on their
contents. One OF the letters is addressed to
Governor OdelI. with 1t is sent a copy OF
letter which has been sent TO George Hilliard'
Special Deputy Commissioner OF Excise for
Manhattan and The Bronx.
The letter to Governor Odell follows
Assuming that the heavy responsibilities OF
your office render it impossible Tor you 10 aC-
quaint yourself in detail with the method IN
which government is administered in all parts
of the State. this is TO call your attention 10 ne
condition of what are known as halles ~ ~
hotels in this cty-a condition debaslns 10 tne
people and discreditable to the authorizes I'M
mediately responsible 1t seems erlnehIly
proper that our complaint should In the nrst m
stance be made to you, since the liquor tax
law to which the aforesaid hotels are anlenaote
is an ordinance of the State. and since also the
Comnissioner OF Excise. by whom all special
deputy commissioners and all special agents are
selected. is officer of your appointing. SO that
in the final analysis the responsibility Tor our
present deplorable condition devolVes upon
yourself.
Accompanying this please find copy of a more
specific complaint which we are this DAY aa-
dressing to George HiLard. Special Deputy
Commissioner of Excise for the BorouShs OF
Manhattan and the Bronx.
The letter to Deputy Commissioner Hilliard is
as follows:
The Society for the Prevention Of Crime IS not
aware to what extent you are acquainted with the
detailed condition of the Raines hotels-so-called-
that are now being conducted in the two oorouSns
for which you have been appointed Special Deputy
Commissioner of Excise. We assume, however
that you will gratifed at receiving any careruly
secured information bearing upon the matter since
such information will enable you. in compliance
with the Of Section 81 of the Liquor Tax law
20 act the revocation of liquor tax certllcates
i'm those instances where the conditions have been
violated upon which such certificates have been is
sued. We take this means, therefore. OF informing
you: ,-----..--..
First. that of the 1267 Raines hotels investigated
by our detectives during the last three months only
81 per cent conform in all respects TO the require
ments imposed by the Liquor Tax law. and OF the
whole number 207 reported as being entirely
destitute of the required appurtenances, or course
the latter yield the same revenue 10 the State as
the former. but are maintained in defiance OF the
authority OF the State, and in defiance of so
much authority of enforcement as IS vested In you
as the States representative in the boroughS or
Manhattan and The Bronx
This letter contained list OF places specihcal-
y complained Of but Secretary SKenneson re-
fused to give out the list. Secretary kenneson
said that the letter had been already received
by Governor Odell.