The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-24
MAYOR DOUBTS LIQUOR MEN.
HINTS THAT THEIR ASSOCIATION
TFMPTS THE POLICE.

He VIII Have Nothing to DO With an Oath-
bound Secret k0ciety Under suspicion
Inclined 10 Favor Higher License
Jerome Oners Services rs IDNestiga'
tor-Associstien Men Say Other Saloon
keepers Brtbe the Police. but We Don't.
Mayor Low refused yesterday to bulge
from his stand, that he will not receive
committee OF the Liquor Dealers Associa-
ton to talk about higher license fees, with
out an explanation about the 'ss,O0O'OoO
fund.- which he has heard that the associa-
ton raises yearly. He sent this letter TO
Secretary George F. Gminder OF the assoc
ciation
DEARSIR: I beg to aok nowledge your letter
OF March 10. From the published accounts
Of tho meeting at which you were appointed
I had, perhaps. obtained a wrong impress
sion. II. as you think, have mistaken the
purpose for which you wish to see me you
have missed the point Of my letter.
You complain that IL is not fair 70 ask
you TO disprove persistent rumors. and argue
that. despite this. you are entitled to ask
me my views upon question OF state policy
that affects the city Of New York only as II
affects the rest Of the State. As matter
Of fact. / do not think that such right ex-
lists without limitation. for the Mayor OF the
city has to protect the cty's interests at
every turn. II he 10 to be involved in every
disputed question OF State policy, bis power
to protect the city IL sure to be sensibly les
ssned. A. long as the Mayor confines him
self TO city questions. or to State question:
upon which he oan voice the general SENT
ment Of the city his influence In his proper
sphere remains unimpaired
But I had another motive than this for
writing to you as did. which Is not affected
By your letter.
man. In January. 1907. devoted myself
wholly to the subject OF blaokmail. l offered
70 cooperate with every citizen In trying to
bring this balsfu practice to an end. and
beggpd for the cooperation OF the citizens In
sFort 70 break Il MP.
The Police Department has been rscked
from stsm 70 stern in the effort to punish
and y prsvent the taking OF blaokmail for
the eajs Il illegal privileges I cannot fairly
sss<Tms this attitude to the POLICE and at
the ssns time b Indifferent to anything
that relates to the givins Of the brides which
10 is believed that the police have been taking
In tbs past.
TIE runners 10 which ] refer. II they are
veil Groundsd, reveal your association as not
emily ksvtns paid blackmail when under COM
pulsasn 70 do so. but as either doing IL or
attempting to do II now. despite the public
invitation Of the Mayor TO cooperate with
him IN breaking II up.
II this be 20, your association Is one Of the
main obstacles to q complete reform Of the
police foroe and one OF the principal tempters
of the members OF tho foroe-so many OF
whom are trying to do their duty faithfully.
II such practices were easily capable OF proof.
they could be easily broken up. As they are
not. I think am not only at liberty. but con-
strained, to take COMPLIANCE Of rumors that
bear upon this subject. Still. In order that
my attitude may not seem TO you to be wholly
arbitrary nor wholly based on rumors. let
me ask your attention TO the following report
Of q trial in the Court OF Special Sessions last
year:
tender in John Chrtstensen's saloon. on
March 2, 1904. after Christensen had testified
that he was Q member Of the local branch Of
your organixation, he was asked these ques-
tions by Mr. District Attorney Jerome:
O. You are vice-president Of the local In
the Tvsatieth precinct A. Yes, sir.
O This association 10 q secret one, isn't
il: that is. it, membsrs are bound By osth'
A. Yes. air.
O. what hind Of q place do you keep
A. / Keep q regular hotel. combined with q
restaurant: rooms and everything.
did yeu SttsSd m.siins Of your associstiOni
A. well. We generally have q meeting on the
third day pf the month there. And We also
"N 9 p il9'S you attend that special meeting,
$50: n %a:s .:Ss 8. ;ss::
oSsstionsi I am duty bound By oath
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