New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-04
EXCISE REFORM OUTLOOK.
PLANS OF THE CITY CLUB.
Will Work acifh Citi=ens Union Com
mittee for ReUiSion.

With the trustees Of the City Club and the COM
snittee which the Citizens Union called together
working Tor a reform in the excise laws IL seems
likely that much needed revision Will be accom-
pshed. II the trustees Of the City Club finally de-
eide plan which requires new legislation and
the club at large approves that plan It viii prob
ably 10 the legislature with it and push it Wig
orousiy according 10 Charles II. Strong, one OF the
trustees
The city Club viii consider all plans OF which II
oaa learn for the revision of the excise laws 10
include an open Sunday. although the resolution
adopted al the annual meeting. as told IN yester-
Gays Tribune, specified that the trustees CONSIDER
Assistant District Attorney Jeromes bill. There
VIII be complete harmony IN the workings OF the
City Club and the Citizens committee; in fact, the
TWO bodies win virtually cooperate in their search
for the best method OF doing away WITH the present
unsatisfactory conditions. although they may ar
rive ~ totally different results The City Ciub IS
already virtually represented in the committee as
AIr. Cutting is yice-president Of the club. There
frequently heard the expression Yesterday that
when such body OF men as the trustees OF the
City Club took up this serious question they would
study it carefully and would receive entirely ade
auate handling.
The local option plan and the relief by direct
legislation permitting the opening OF saloons on
part OF Sunday viii receive careful consideration.
Il Will be a long, difficult task. the trustees be-
lieve. but they are ready for 1t.
"A revision Of the excise laws has become cry
ing necessity" said Charles H Strong. in discuss
sng the subject yesterday. we recognize that and
ere willing 10 do what can. We shall take up
District Attorney Jeroe's BILL ard saF other plans
OF which we learn. IT IS likely that whatever
plan should finally be accepted would not MI all the
requirements Of this complicated situation. II it
were legislative measure, We might have to take
less than we really wanted. Mr. Jerome says his
measure is not al tfat he could ask. but he drew
= as he thought would best meet the require
snerts and the same time preserve likelihood
OF going through the legislature.
My own particular plan is to have local option.
not BY boroUghs, but by Assembly districts. That
would take It down to pretty small unit II has
this disadvantage, though. that one district might
vote dry and saloonkeeper IN that district would
feel very sore because saioonkeeper just across
she street in q wet district. was getting all the
trade. That however, would be rather an excep-
fional case / think
7 think that tie legalized opening Of the sa-
looms for a part OF Sunday would be decided
benefit although that too. has its other side. In
the first place il would do with all the Ranes
law hotels. the feature of the present excise
regulations. No ssloonkeeper would spend the
money for a restaurant and bedrooms when he
could sell liquor from noon without them II
would 90 away with police blackmail another bad
feature
DO you think the saloonleepers would respect
she law about selling in restricted hours any bet
ser than they 90 now?' was asked.
That's the one big point" said Mr.. Strong. Mr.
Jerome says. You mustn't ask that. It's not fair
20 the saloon keepers TO say that they would break
rhst law when ] have their promise that they
wouldn't You mustn't call them liars in that way
7 hardly feel sure enough Of my ground TO want
20 make any declaration on that point OF course
Il the saloons did business day morning. the
law would he violated as now, and there would be
5r.st as much chance for blaCkmai-'
Persons considerable experience with the
saloon trade and the brewers do not feel sangune
tbst The saloons would he shut Sunday morning
IL thew could be legally open sunday afternoon any
more than they shut all day sunday now. Inc
ga ,ar,ka
have thirst in The morning just as n the AFTER
noon and II there demand tor nQuOf IN the
morning, II is going 10 be sold IN the morning,
THIS breaking the excise laws just as mucn as
they are broken now, and there VIII be Just as
,141Sb oDportupity for graft and blackmatL