The San Francisco call., 1905-06-03
Citizens of Los Angeles
Show at the Polls That
They Do Not Want the
Saloons of City Closed
BATTLE OF BALLOTS
WON BY THE THIRSTY
By Vote Of 1861 to 1922.
Prohibitionists Learn That
Majority of People Favor
the Existence of BarrOOms
Special plspatca to rn. CALL

LOS ANGELES, June 2.-Los Angeles
has declared positively aghinst prohibi-
ton. BY a vote of 1870 to S766 the voters
put the stamp Of their disapproval upon
a proposed ordinance which within ninety
days would have closed every saloon in
the city, restricted to the Wholesale
houses the sale of liquor and made it i'm
possible for a man to serve liquor in his
home except under certain conditions. 1t
was most drastic measure and to that
in great part is due its defeat
The election was different from any pre-
vious one In this city or perhaps in any
California city. 1t was characterized by
bitter feeling engendered by a campaign
in which abuse by one side or the other
was a weapon frequently used. In no
sense was the contest partisan one.'
Members Of both great political parties
took sides. the real politicians. almost as
a unit taking the anti-prohfbition side,
and many Of them under salary COM
pleted a tremendously strong organiza-
ton. Plentifully supplied with money
which they used freely they conducted
a campaign which will not soon be for
gotten.
On the other side the prohibition forces
were not without expert political assist
ance They had polled the city. They
had funds In abundance and they did not
seruple to use their money to induce per-
sons to enter their enemys camp to Sc
cure secret information.
It was admitted by them that If they
were winners in to-day's fight they would
carry the antl-saloon fight into other
fields. The success practically Of the en-
tire no-saloon movement throughout this
section of the State centered in. to-day s
contest and the liquor interests knew that
they were lighting for their very exist
ence.
That there was not the slightest dis
order at the polls to-day, not an arrest
for any misdeed In connection with the
election, not single call for the police Is
probably due to the fact that last night
tine saloons were closed and not drop
of liquor was sold from any of them. The
saloon men had been charged to see that
no disorder occurred and on the other
hand their opponents offered no provoca-
ton. At the outset the liquor element
corraled every horse and buggy which
could be hired in this and neighbortng
towns and when the prohibition forces
sought vehicles for use in their wards
they could not find them.
A feature of the election was the work
of women at the polls, but they received
so little support that they soon left and,
repairing to the churches, many Of them
spent the day in a service of prayer for
the success of the prohibition movement.
The attitude or the business men more
than anything else caused the defeat of
the prohibitienists, for almost to man
they openly declared themselves opposed
to the movement. Under me Initiative
provision of the city charter the prohibf-
tionists can have ano,--er election called
within six months. but before then the
City Council will have passed high Ii
cense ordinance and that, it is believed.
would remove the hope of success Of any
absolute prohibition movement in Los
Angeles.