New-York tribune., 1903-03-20
LOW HAI.TS LIQUOR MEN,.
NO GRAFT FUND, THEY SAY
Mayor asks Proof That Millions Are
Not Paid for Protection.

ANCC L OCL VI IOCClttOfS'
Mayor Low yesterday took a step toward find
ing out what possible sources Of revenue there
may be in connection with police failure to en-
force the law which prohibits the sale Of liquor
in saloons on Sunday. A committee Of liquor
dealers of the city asked for a conference. anx-
ious to know what the Mayor thought Of the
proposed legislation at Albany to increase the
cost of liquor tax certificates so per cent. He
took advantage OF the situation to make con-
dition precedent to such conference that he be
Informed as to the truth falsity Of rurnors
that vioators Of the Sunday law are able 10
purchase immunity from arrest
The Mayor positively refused to see the COM
mittee until they answered his letter to their
chairman, stating that before conference ne
desired to know something about a reported
fund created by assessing each saloon 50 sun
day It was significant that he referred to it as
a Sunday assessment. Mayor Low is not in the
habit Of going off at tangent, and it was gen
orally believed yesterday that his letter had
been written only after he had received impor-
tant information on the subject.
The committee left the Mayors office in anger
and, going to District Attorney Jerome, asked
him to investigate the reports that the saloons
were taxed S. a week each for police protec-
ton in Sunday selling and summon the Mayor.
Mr.. Jerome advised them to write another
outlined its character. and they took his advice.
Mr.. Jerome said last evening:
Yes. I advised the committee TO write another
letter tod them could not start an investiga,
witness am onnnse6 to the SiiI m tn I 9ha
liquor tax betieTs it Would ado add g sreatiy to the
liquor Is sold without license A Subcommittee
of the Committee Of Fifty, of which Seth Low was
fee for the sale Of q1or in Phiiadephia was raised
that city greater than the number of licensed
places Including the retail dealers. their bar
one hundred thousand peopte. in the city depending
0nt Seem 10 he ar rs r o nena o f
business and ruin them
Mayor Lows letter written on Wednesday TO
George F. Gminder chairman of the liquor deal
ers committee. answering communication of
Tuesday that the committee would call at the
city Hall yesterday, said in part:
There have been persistent rumors for very
long time that the local Liquor Dealers Assocfa-
ton through its Subordinate groups or sections
habit of assessing the proprietor of every saloon
= , week th Tor . suRGay thus creatinS fund
the city Of New-York which amounts to more than
rectness Of such rurnors still think that it is in
Gumbent upon YOU s.x the representatives. Of this
thes T6r on my IL part b to e6 to me GTo9s that
ments without foundation. or if they are true
to state specifically for what purpose this great
sum is used
on its arrival at the Mayors office. said that
.Gminder did not receive the May or's letter. on
learning the contents Of the letter the
mittee induIsed in lot of bluster.
At this point Mr. Moran told Lindinger that
when the letter was answered the Mayor would
arrange conference
I'VE won't answer that letter, Mr. Moran"
shouted Lindinger. and you can tell the Mayor
so. If any one answers that letter of the Mayor
II L)I1 1,-ill 6o
will go right straight from here 70 Mr. Jerome's
office, and show this letter to him I think the
District Attorney should call on the Mayor to
submit any proof he has that we have any fund
for illegal purposes
The Mayor. with broad smile said that he
had nothing 10 say other than what he had said
in his letter.
Gminder when seen yesterday. said that he
had just received the letter on his return from
Albany
81 think the Mayor is trying to evade the
issue, and the communication is just a subter-
fuge to get out of meeting committee he
said. He charges with having a big
ruption fund to influence legislation, and puts
1t up to US to bring in defence in a case based
on persistent rumors before he will hear
side. II the Mayor has any knowledge Of such
fund he has all the vehicle of the law to it.
Our organization numbers one Thousand MEM
berS. We positively have no fund OF Such
nature. If outside Of the organization such
fund is in existence 1 know nothing of 1t nor do
1 believe 1t exists. If the Mayor is sure OF the
existence Of such fund, let him get the District
Attorney to act"
Late in the afternoon Gmnder replied to
Mayor Lows letter. member Of the committee
accompanying the messenger and receiving
from Mr. Moran the statement, There is
reply"
The reply after setting forth the magnitude
Of the liquor dealing interests. and declaring
that, as the proposed excise measure vitality af-
fects them, it is right for the committee to ask
the chief magistrate of the city whether or not
he approves Of such measure. continues:
II such measure Is, IN his opinion. unwise and
unjust II certainly is no more than fair that he
should saw so that might avail ourselves of the
great influence of his name to defeat such meas
Our purpose In seeking an interview with your
honor was not to endeavor to secure your honors
support If your best judgment SATISFIED You that you
could not aid us We desired TO md out what your
opinion on this subject is. that we might get your
help If you think we do. and II We md that you
do not agree WIN US 49, asbsps NOT CrT,rreJ
With all due respect we think entitled to
know where YOU stand this proposition. Your
TenIv to us Ia no answer to request but is prac
ticaly a citation to appear before you and defend
What Won describe as persistent rumors-" What
ever may be done by individuals throughout this
niza tion fx and will continue 10 be, absolutely
opposed to payment Of blackma to the police to
any other public of1cer -. 49,,
play nor courageous We beg that you may speed
lily appoint time az wnlcn our our. commute MAJ
this measure and il your mind is not made up.
present to you such proper considerations as may
influence your Judgment