New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-14

LICENSE FOR PLACES, NOT PERSONS.
The suggestion Of Mr. Gherardi Davis in
letter which we publish in another column,
thar the LIQUOR law be amended 10 make the
license run with the land. IS worthy of serious
consideration. II has long been notorious that
the forfeiture Of a license has no terrors for the
average saloonkeeqer. A large number Of those
who uominally own saloons, i'm whose names
licenses are issued and who habitually break
the law are only dummies. Brewing compa-
MES are the real owners OF many places and
politicians 81 many others. If their representa-
tive gets caught violating the law, ne steps
aside. another representative is put forward,
the license made ont in a new name and bust
ness goes on as before. Even when the actual
owner holds the license. he finds il easy in case
Of trouble 10 continue business by transferring
his fixtures 10 his bartender.
The proposed change would put not only the
real proprietor Of the saloon. but the owner Of
the real estate which il occupied. under bonds
TO see that the law was obeyed. II after a
license had been revoked il could not be re-
neved for the sale Of liquor the same
premises bv anybody for two years, the law
would lie voluntarily obeyed 10 much greater
extent than now. when those who benefit by
selling at forbidden hours are practically free
from responsibility for the lawlessness which
they promote
Some persons may question the Justice of
such regulation with reference to the prop
ertv owner. hut it is a sound public policy
which holds an owner responsible for the uses
10 which his property is put The detachment
Of men from the operation Of the forces which
furnish them incomes resulting i'm the loss OF q
sense of obligation FOR the indirect moral and
economic influence Of their own acts. is one OF
/ the great dangers Of our complicated social
/ order The man who rents his property for a
saloon should be forced 10 see that it is a de-
cent and lawful saloon. lie gels a higher rent
for Il I'm most cases than he could get II he
/ rented IL for a grocery or any other business,
and II the law-brcaking Of one tenant deprived
/ him Of another Of the same specially profitable
sort. Dc would exercise efficient supervision over
the use of his property This principle Of re-
] Spousfbilitv is already established with refer
! ence To tho use o. property for immoral pur
/ poses and owners Of tenement houses arc
forced in self-protoction 20 keep an eye on III,
| doinrs % their tenants There is no reason
| why similar duty should not rest on those
| who rent property for the sale Of liquor. Moral
| absentee l8ndlordism Is greater eva than
| physical absentee landlordism. and q is much
| more prevalent in every line OF business I'm thi,
| country. from the house owner who cares moi
| what iufamy his property Is used Tor So long
as t returns "a high rent 10 the stocLholdel
! Who iattcrs himself that because corporation.
/ have 100 souls he can. without soilinc his own
/ share the fruits ~ their WrUnciDn-
As Tor the snloonkeeper. nobody can question
/ the justice of forbidding him to evado rospon
/ sibility such a plan as Mr.. Davis propose,
/ would do this lie would mot wish to Do lef
/ with lease on his hands for property which
/ could not De used IN his business. or Do Obliged
~ large expense 10 move his fixtures and per
haps be unable 90 find another good location
lie would much prefer the moderate profits of
legal selling. The law should provide for IN,
absolute forfeiture 81 licenses after second
violation Of the Law. and forbid for M IeaS
two years thereafter the use Of the same prem
ises Tor liquor selling. Then the Hquor inter
ests themselves would be ranged on the sid.