New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-13
NO FREE IUNCH" YET.
SO Decides the Liquor Dealers
Union after Much Debate.


A discussion of the enforcement of its ukase
abolishing free Inch and raising the price of
ale porter and lager to 10 cents pint divided the
meeting of the Wine, Liquor and Beer Dealers
Association which took place yesterday at Terrace
Garden into rival camps. Some clamored Tor a
return to the old order. and others urged a still
more drastic treatment Of recalctrant association
members who have wholly partly ignored the
associations mandate
Oil was poured upon the troubled waters by
President Fritz Lndinger, who courselled patience
and Ienience declaring that as it had taken nearly
two years to bring members into line when after
the enforcement of the Raines law beer was raised
from to 10 cents, some little time must now
elapse before the new fiat would be generally
obeyed.
To q Tribune reporter Mr. Lndnger expressed
confidence that there would be eventual return,
as reported to the old scheme of things but that
on the contrary. it was only a question of time
before the rules obtained uniform respect.
''Sixty-two per cent of the members of the asso-
ciation.' he said, have already fallen into step
and surely If slowly the remainder will follow
1t was admitted that the doing away with the
free lunch the raising of the price of the pint
had hurt trade. Mr.. Lndinger. however consoled
the saioonkeepers by telling them that when the
doq DAVIS arrive they will do better bar trade, and
that glasses instead of pints will keep them busy
He asserted that the increase in price is a step
toward the abolition of the much hated GROWER
The reports Of the five representatives, of each of
fOTtE-One
meeting which lasted nearly four hours behind
closed doors. Some violations We're reported but
was asserted that 50 per cent of the members or
the union are charging Is cents for beer by the
pint and that 50 per cent had abandoned the free
lunch.
The 30 reports showed that the members OF
twenty local districts stood firm TO the agreement
that twelve locals strictly enforcing the IN
crease in price had not abolished the luncheon
and that nine locals had not obeyed the PROVISIONS
OF the resolution either in regard to the price Oh te
pint or to the free lunch ,.,
motion was made TO reconsider the resolution
This was supported by liquor dealers from the
tenement house districts. who said that under the
resolution they could not compete with the inde-
pendents" who are still selling pnts at 10 cents and
supplying to their customers princey free
lunches" notwithstanding they also are paying the
Increased LIQUOR tax. After hot discussion the
motion finally voted down ~, q.
If was then proposed to fine all the members OF
the union that had strictly adhered to the IN
of free lunches President Lindinger opposed the
ronosition of fine in the brought to the at
ertion OF the Central Association. declaring that
in certain sections liquor dealers would lose their
Steady customers If they did not keep pace Win
the independent saloonkeeper on the opposite cor
ner He said in urging lenience for those VINO nae
disregarded the resolution, that in the course OF
time things would right themselves and that there
would be rushing business and good ,prohtS IN
frofhine ponies instead of "schooneTs' or TAN
hats in the dog days ,,oa
President Lindinger's ideas ultimately prevailed
the president declaring that drastic measures Wouid
not be resorted to until every other method shoulu
have been exhausted.