New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-06
NEW MOVEMENT IN CHICAGO.

Chicago. Jan. 5 (SpeciaD-There is always con-
siderable agitation IN Chicago by the law and
order and government people for restrictive meas
ures against the retail liquor traffic by the enact
ment OF new laws the strict enforcement Of ex-
istg ones Tor the regulation OF the conduct the
saloon business As in other large cities. the
saloon is big factor and an important influence
IN poItlcs In Chicago, and the powers that be-
whether partisan or reform administration in
municipal affairs. evade. by indifference or a fixed
attitude in the matter, any drastic action Politics
Is so mixed up IN the business affairs OF all classes
OF people that there IS little disposition to an
tagonlze the saloon men by too severe control of
their trade. To-day there are enough State laws
and city ordinances in force in Chicago 10 satisfy
the most ardent Prohibtionist II carried out even
IN liberal sense; but public officials don't see the
matter III that Light, and except occasionally to
curb the actually bad element among the dramshop
men the authorities are content 10 let the ma
'oT1ty or the saloonkespers their business 10
suit themselves.
IheTe Is State law in force which requires that
al saloons in Illinois shall be kept closed on Sun
days. This act on the statute books snn1tas with
as much force 70 Chicago as to any other town IN
the state but no provision has ever been made by
the City Council for its enforcement However
OF !ate there has been such outcry by all classes
OF ctzens even those who patrons of the better
grade OF buhets. for Sunday closing that the Conn
ell has shown disposition TO do something IN the
matter There Is now pending before the munici-
pal legislative body an amendment 10 the existing
ordinance which ordains as follows:
The Mayor Of the city OF Chicago shall. from time
shops within the city Of Chicago to persons who
shall apply TO him in writing therefor, and shaII
furnish evidence satisfying him Of their good char
aeteT. Zach applicant shall execute to the city
be approved by the City Clerk or City coaetor
the sum OF $500, conditioned that the applicant
shaIl faithfully observe and keep all ordinances IN
tcrce at the time Of the application or thereafter
70 De passed during the period OF licenses applied
opening OUT upon any streets from the bar room
"nere such dram shop Is to be kept and that all
or room shall on Sundays. except between the
provided with blinds shutters or curtains so as 70
obstTuct the view from such street into such
An amendment TO the above pending change IN
the ordinance provides that when saloons closed
between midnight and 9 O'Clock IN the morning the
curtains shall be up SO that the interior OF the
barroom can be from the street
There Is IN force ordinance which requires all
saloons TO be closed between midnight and a N,
on week days. but II IS proposed strengthen the
law by this amendment:
No person shall keep open any saloon, berroorn
or tipping house during the night time between
The hours OF Y o'clock midnight and o'clock a. m
shall be permitted to remain in any saloon or
and 5 O'Clock a m. Ali doors opening out upon
any street from any saloon or barroom and all
other doors opening out OF any saloon or barroom
shall be securely locked at the hour Of u o'clock
Of S O'clock a. m All window shades biinds or
screenS IN any saloon or barToom s6a be raised
night and be kept raised, opened removed until
the hour OF o'clock a m, 30 that free and
unObstructeo view OF the bar and interior OF any
such saloon shall be had from the street and
light or lights shall be kept Burning IN the interior
OF such saloon or barTOom sufficiently Illuminating
the Interior thereof that a clear view OF such
saloon or barroom shall be obtained from the ex-
terror thereof between the hours OF Il o'clock mid
night and o'clock e. N
The Mayor is given the power and authority to
revoke the ncense OF any saloonkeeper violating
any provisions Of the ordinance. The, pending
emendments have been reported favorebly in the
Council and win be passed. Like the Sunday
closing law, the midnight closing ordinance at
present is enforced spasmodically reform move
ments. There is tacit understanding, however,
onen ali night 20 ~ 2nnds NJ nhght
workers. Beyond the business sections the saloon
owners have political pulls
There are no exceptions IN favor OF hotels or
restaurants, either Sundays week days.
There is increase OF 50 per cent IN the
Der OF arrests on Saturday nights ms compared
with other days OF the week, and there are less
Sundays than any other days the Sabbath day be-
ing. as a rule. queter than any day of the week