The Saint Paul globe., 1904-12-07
DELAY ACTION ON
DANCE ORDINANCE
Aldermen Commit Measure
After Pleas by the Rev.
Morganand Others


and dance halls was last evening referred
to the committee On streets by the board
OF aldermen, largely on the plea that the
measure as drawn would interfere with
functions given by lodges, societies and
labor unions
In opposition to the ordinance there
was present a committee from the Musi-
clans union, headed by John Puerner,
the president, and in it's favor the Rev.
David Morgan, who claimed throughout
his lengthy speech what he said really
represented the sentiments of Chief of
Police O'Connor.
Mr.. Morgan was unusually strenuous
and he went after the subject without
gloves. Tie aldermen listened to fifteen
minutes of a fierce denunciatien of pub
lie dance halls, concluded with a public
pledge that he personally and other
churchmen would not interfere with the
dances of reputable organizations under
the provisions of the ordinance.
Pleads for Delay
John Puerner, president of the musi-
clans union, made a general plea for
postponement of judgment. He con-
tended that Otto Benz chairman of the
union committee, had prepared state
ment opposed to the passage of the or
dinance. Death in Benz's family prevent
ed his being present. Mr.. Puerner argued
interested in the question that there
should be a hearing before committee.
The musicians objected to shortening the
time in which they play for dances, but
he held that this was not the essential
issue in the contest for the passage of
such an ordinance.
The aldermen were conservative. Mr..
Lynch insisted that as all concerned join
ed in paying tribute to the worth and
ability of J. j. O'Connor, chief of police,
there should be a like unanimity in favor
of the passage of the ordinance. Per-
sonally he had no knowledge of such af-
fairs, but If the chief of police through
Rev. Mr.. Morgan, or any other person,
desired to secure it's enactment, he believ-
ed that such courtesy should be granted,
| particularly as the power would not be
abused.
AID ,Moriarty, Bantz, Rohland and
Hebl though there should be a proper in
vestigation of a subject of such impor-
tance. In a general way they did not be-
lieve that it should be placed in the pow
er of any person to interfere with the
| parties given by lodges and labor unions.
Mr.. Rohland went further and ques-
toned whether the most harm was done
| by the places that sell liquor openly or
where the stimulants are smuggled in.
| The outcome of the general discussion
was that the ordinance was referred to
| the committee on streets, MessrS. Lynch
and Corning, who had opposed such ac-
| ton, voting with the majority
Rev. David Morgan was decided in his
statement He went over the agitation in
favor of the regulation of public dances.
| He had discussed the subject with Chief
| of Police O'Connor and others. They had
! agreed that restrictive measures are need
| ed. He had, in company with others in
| terested in the question, made round of
ILL.,.
der the influence of liquor in the Twin
City hall, and had witnessed women
crowding the wine rooms of saloon on
! Rice street under dance hall.
"lt is not the purpose of the ordinance,
| he declared, ito assume that we can reg
| ulate or will assume to regulate dances
given by lodges, societies and unions. Such
| organizations will be held to strict gen
eral accountability by the chief of police.
| Knowing this they will not admit persons
! of questionable character. You are aware
| through the reports that have been made
| Of the investigation of such places. The
| chief of police tells me that under the
| present laws it is impossible for him to
control them to the point he considers
necessary.
There is no desire on my own part
| to interfere with the dances of legitimate
| lodges and societies, but to suppress
| those. given by fake clubs and societies
with a name, but without membership
| We desire to be able to control the dances
where girls of Is to IA years OF age
| are allowed to associate with men, buns
| of the street and male questionable char
acters of every description
Won't Play for "Tidbits"
Mr. Puerner, representing the musi
| clans, was brief. He believed that the ef-
| feet of the ordinance was so far reaching
o1A
| CATION. The musicians, he declared, did
not dare to play for the se-called It'd
! bit'' dances, and he hoped that the city
| council would find a means to bring such
/ affairs to close But as there are many
| others concerned within the scope of such
an. ordinance as the one under considera-
| ton he could not believe that the city Of
| ficials would give it their official sane
ton. At least an investigation should be
| conducted before action was taken.
| Aid. BantZ condemned the arbitrary
argument of both parties to the contro-
| versy The musicians present, he declar
| ed, were members of the union. If they
| should be compelled to stop playing two
| hours earlier than usual they could make
! up the loss by raising the price for their
| services. AS to the stand by Rev. Mr..
| Morgan he believed that the police now
/ have sufficient power to regulate dance
| halls. He. contended that the chief of
police can close any hall that he chooses
under the present law.
1 Aid. Rohland objected to the measure
| because it apparently assumed to reg
| ulate the dances given by societies and
| lodges. If the measure could be so
/ amended that it would apply only to such
| fake organizations as merely operate un-
i der name he would vote for it, If there
| was danger of interfering with the lodges,
| societies and unions he was unalterably
| opposed. He believed that full and fair
| hearing should be granted.
| Corporation Attorney Michael, who
i drew the ordinance at the request of the
/ city council, was called upon and stated
/ that it had been drawn in such form that
/ but little objection could be made. 1t was
1 true that the power to regulate such
/ places had been placed in control of the
| police, but he believed that any officer
| who attempted to dictate to members Of
| a party given by a lodge, society or union
| would be shortly cautioned to be more
| careful The police would be the judges,
and the police could not afford to dis
| criminate.
s4They would be expected to find that
! persons moderately drunk are not dfsor-
/ defly?' questioned Aid. Lynch.
.sThey could hold that the persons were
! merely hilarious quickly answered Mr..
Michael.
/ Several motions had been made during
4 the lengthy discussions, but all were ulti-
mately withdrawn Rev. Mr. Morgan con-
| sented to this, saying that he had no OBJ
! lection to a public hearing of the issues
| involved. believing that the members of
| the council would eventually coneede that
IL i l. l.