Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-03-08
POLICE COURT DOINCS.
Members of Lithuanian Independe n
 Club Fined $25 and Costs Each

The vote passed by the board of public safety by which policemen are enabled to distinguish themselves by entering complaints against saloon keepers has already borne fruit. The first crop of complaints arising out Of that vote was reaped Sunday, Feb- ruary 2S. Complaints were made against William Byron, Daniel J. Ma nancy, Christopher Dunphy, all of Bank street, John H. Condon, Bald win street, and Michael J. Dillon, Pemberton street All of the above were notified to be present In the city court to-day to answer charges of violating the screen law. On ac- count of engagements by their counsel the cases were adjourned to next week, some to Monday and some to following days.
 William and George Slysky and John BaEthrucitis were charged with violating the liquor laws in selling beer without license at what is konwn as the Lithuanian Independent Political club, in Brooklyn.
 The evidence of Officers Walsh and Halpin, who made the complaint, was that on Sunday. February 28. they went to the club room and saw about thirty men sitting around, and some playing cards. They went to the cellar and saw temporary bar, be- hind which the Slyskys were engaged dishing up beer. There were about fifteen men there drinking beer. They saw one man offer half Ia dollar for beer, but he was pulled upstairs by other men. As to the reputation of the place, they said it was pretty we'll understood in Brooklyn that any Lithuanian could get beer there, and that Mthuanians from Hartford to Naugatuck drink there Sundays. The plan ds to buy check upstairs for a nickel and this is given in exchange for a glass of beer in the cellar
 In response to questions by Attor- ney Bauby, counsel for the accused, the officers said they saw the Slyskys behind the bar and Balthrucitis was upstairs selling the checks. Ba1thru- citis told them he was president of the club and Joe White was "chair- man." William Slysky invited Off, cer Halpin to have a beer, but the officer declined. The officers were also offered book to prove that the concern was regularly established club, but the officers did not bother with 1t because they could not read it. The men offered to send for a book containing the names of the members, but this also the officers de- clined for the same reason. They did not recall seeing any pictures on the wall or any star-spangled bunting.
 Two books, looking like new ones, were then introduced and the officers said neither looked like that which had been shown them That one had merely little writing on the front leaf.
 Sergeant Pagan said he was told frequently that large quantities of beer were delivered at the club every Saturday night and that a land office business in beer selling was done there every Sunday Officer Walsh further added that there was nothing in the room to indicate that it was a literary concern.
 Balthrucitis was the first witness for the defense. He produced thS charter of the club and two books, which he said were the due book and the minute book of the Club. The de- fense had a number of other wit l nesses.
 A fine of S25 and costs was inns posed in each case