New-York tribune., 1905-04-10
RAINES LAW HOTELS.

II the citizens of this State do not yet know
what Raines law hotels are, there is probably
very little use at this date in explaining once
more that they are legalized houses OF assigna
ton, immoral resorts protected and encouraged
by the excise law. A few years ago the Com
mittee Of Fifteen, Of which the late Mr.. William
H Baldwin, jr.. was chairman, made a thorough
investigation OF the social evil One OF the
most important parts Of that report is the sec
tons referring to the Raines law hotels:
Any one who is familiar with conditions in
New-York must admit that the effect OF the
Raines law has been to provide unexampled ac-
commodations for prostitution. Moth
ing can be clearer than the fact that the posi-
bity. due TO the Raines law hotels Of soliciting
now in one part Of the city, now in another, in
creases immensely the number OF persons whom
the prostitute subject to her allurements
More serious STILL many OF the Raines
law hotels are themselves the scene of most in
sidious and therefore most effective solicita-
ton. The Raines law hotel. which
stands on the line between vice and harmless
ness, is very frequently the place where the
growing boy IS introduced 70 the mysteries OF
immortality. Where popular entertainment is
given, ii is ineyita BILE that a certain number of
immoral persons will be found; and if accommo-
dations for vice are present. the work OF re-
cruiting the patronage of vice among boys will
certainly be active. The most damning
charge Of all. however. is that the Raines law
hotel provides the greatest known facilities for
seduction Young girls brought by unscru-
pulous escorts TO enjoy the entertainment given,
are regaled on beverages of the influence of
which they are ignorant, and by the aid and as
Tins That this is no imaginary evil, nor one
which is rare. is known to any one in New-York
who has eyes to see and ears TO hear.
In justice TO the originator of this law II
should be said that the definition of a hotel, for
the purposes Of the law was made in perfect
good faith, and was. in fact, merely the EN-
bodment so far as it's specification Of the ten,
room limit was concerned, of provisions already
existing in the laws relating 10 hotels at that
time. BY this law special privileges were given
to hotel keepers. namely. that they could keep
open on Sundays and at night As the price OF
the license for a hotel under this law is nc
higher than the price of license for a saloon
a large number of saloonkeepers were tempted
10 establish so-called hotels in order to secure
the advantage of the hotel clause Of the law
permitting them TO sell liquor on Sundays TC
constitute hotel under this law il was neces
sary 10 hire an apartment and fit up ten small
bedrooms in connection with the saloon. Tt
meet the rent of these rooms for which there
was no legitimate demand from ordinary board
ers or transient dodgers. the proprietor of the
saloon was led 10 use them for immoral pur
poses. These are the houses which constitute
the so-caIled Raines law hotels
Now, the provisions Of the Building Code OF
this city with regard 10 hotels are very strict
Among other things every hotel more than thirty
i've feet in height must be fireproof. But It was
decided that the Building Code did not apply
TO these sO-called Raines law hotels, which
are hotels only for the provisions Of the excise
law, not for general purposes. Therefore tC
the Raines law hotels were applied merely the
provisions Of the Building Code touching pri
vate residences and apartment houses. The
result was that the Buildings Department tool
% a.
the part OF these so-caled hotels and neither diC
the Excise Department, which issued the license
According to the law, the Excise Department
must issue a license TO any one who applies
for IT, provided the applicant fills out certain
blank form. giving under oath certain infOrma
ton, and presents satisfactory bond. Thl
Commissions may know that The infoEnattqT