The Minneapolis journal., 1903-03-21
Low AND The LIQUOR MEN
An 4 n. Interesting Int Controversy That
Went On in New York
City Recently.

New York, March 21.-Mayor Low re
fused to see q sonunittee representing 5000
liquor dealers, who wanted to know
whether the mayor is opposed to the bill
to raise the liquor tax from $500 to $1,000
a year maximum The mayor not only
refused to see them but informed them
that he had already notified them by. let
ter that he would not receive them until
they should convince him that they were
innocent Of raising each year a So 200, 900
blaclmail fund. This is the letter in
part: .gI4 "a la5SyE
! cannot.see you at the hour named for I have
then an advertised bearing on a legislative bill
Before fix another hour for such an appoint
ment, however am obliged to ask your atten--
ton to an aspect Of the question which seems
to me of great Importance
There have been persistent rumors for very
long time that the local liquor dealers associa-
ton, through its subordinate groups OF sections
has been in the habit Of assessing the proprietor
of every saloon So per week Tor IS per Sunday,
thus creating fund from upward of 10000
saloons in the city Of New York, which amounts
to more than $3.O00.0 600 per; annum. Without
asserting the correctness Of such runlors still
think that it Is incumbent upon you as the rep
| resentative OF the interest; and as preliminary
to any discussion Of this subject on my part to
submit to me proof that these rumors as, to the
collection, Of such assessments are without
foundation; or. il they are true to state specif-
cally for what purpose this great sum is used.
| The first the liquor men heard Of this
| letter when Billy Moran the mayor 9
assistant secretary waived it at them in
| the vestibule Of the mayors office as he
! shooed them away. They hoped around
| the corridor in rage. F5&
| Did the mayor really write it or is it
| joker" one of the dealers asked Moran
| who admitted that the mayor was the
| author.
"He refused to ride with the parade on
| Tuesday and calls us blackmailers on
| Thursday and wish the election came on
| Friday was the comment Of Committee
| man Frank S. Doyle. - ~ ger
! They marched up to the criminal court
! and saw Jerome. When they had left him
| they were calmer. F. - z,
| The district attorney read the mayor 9
| letter and advised his callers to answer
| it. He even suggested what they should
write and the committee sent to the city
hall a reply which said in part:
With all due respect, we think we are entitled
to know where you stand on the license PROPOSE
| tion Your reply to us is no answer to re-
quest. but Is practically citation to appear be-
fore you and defend ourselves against charges
of felony based upon what you describe as per
| dividuals throughout this city do not know,
but this organization, as an organization, is and
will continue to be absolutely opposed to the
present payment of lblackmail to the police or
any other public officer. We are entirely at a
loss to understand why. "as preliminary to any
discussion of this on your part we should be
mors as to the collection of such assessments are
Il without foundat ion. 49, ,-.. t-,,ag
We submit. Mr.. Mayor. that this is neither faiI
y play nor courage. We beg that you may speed
lily appoint time at which committee may
wait upon you and learn your attitude in regard
to this measure. and, If your mind is not made
= up. present to you such proper considerations a.
may influence your Judgment , ..rs<.. ,
With reference to the mayors letter, MI
, Jerome said: @sGl..~, = :4,s .-..- .,. ..s.-
1.-THE committee asked the mayor TO
direct answer to a single question.
r don't see the relevancy of his reply"