The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1904-07-06
WAR AGAINST FREE
LUNCH Is DECLARED
Aid. Huber introduces Ordis
nance at Request of Retail
Liquor Dealers

An antl-free lunch ordinance was in
troduced by President Huber in the board
of aldermen last evening at the request
of the ST. Paul Retail Liquor Dealers as
ISOLATION. The measure was referred to
the committee on streets although ma
Jority of the aldermen expressed them
selves as favorable to its passage.
= President Huber explained that he
brought the ordinance up for considera-s
ton by request, but believed that it should
pass, as a similar measure has been in
force in Minneapolis for some time and
has proven highly satisfactory. He said
there Is growing sentiment among sa-
lunches is thrown away and draws an.
undesirable class of customers
On motion of Aid. Bantz, seconded by
Aid Rohland, the ordinance was referred
to the committee on streets, although
Aid. Brennan and Lynch expressed them,
selves as preferring to have the rules sus-
pended and the ordinance passed at once.
Subsequently an informal discussion
showed that a majority of the aldermen
We're favorable to the passage of the or
dinance.
Measure Is Drastic
The provisions of the measure are
drastic, and violation means fine as
E1gh as 500, or imprisonment for as long
as thirty days The conditions under
which lunch can be served in a saloon
are closely defined.
1t is held in the first place that rea-
sonable charge must be made for the
eatables. and the service must be on in
d1vidual plates, with sterihzed knives and
forks and a clean napkin, it being made
distinctly understood that a failure to
carry out these provisions means that
there is violation of the ordinance even
though a reasonable charge has been
made
1t is provided that under no circum-
stances shall free lunch be served in the
room where liquor is sold or in a room
connected in any way with the room
where the liquor sales are made, the same
conditions being laid down where the
charge for the lunch is merely nominal.
The idea of this is to prevent the serving
of lunch under the subterfuge of charg-
ing nominal price for what is eaten. The
other side of the question is taken care of
by provision that prevents charging for
the lunch and giving away the drinks.
In addition there is a provision defining
that nominal price, means at a figure
materially less than the regular price
charged for such meals.
Says Saloonkeepsrs Favor 1t
President Huber explained afterwards
that the ordinance had been Endorsed
by the members OF the Retail Liquor Deal
ers' association and that its passage will be
urged by a great majority of the saloon
keepers of the city. He believes also
that great many people who are not in
terested in saloons and are opposed to
their existence will also favor the enact
ment of the ordinance, and that it will
pass both bodies of the city council by
practically a unanimous vote.
The saloonkeepers have, found by ,ex-
perience that nothing is gained by serv-
ing free LUNCH" he declared, land, with
the exception of very small per cent,
they are willing to abolish the practice
1t has been found that free lunch in the
long run draws to a saloon an undesir-
able class of customers. The cost is an
item of consideration to the saloonkeepers,
it having been found that the serving of
lunch does not increase the income to
an appreciate extent