The wageworker., 1905-03-10
Ex-Mayor Weir's Open Letter

To the Editor Of The News: 1 have
noted, with considerable interest, the
discussion of the saloon license ques-
ton, especially in reference to The
amount of the license fee, and desire
to ask what definite or beneficial re-
suits are expected to be derived from
the advance Of the fee to $1,000. The
advocates of the proposition to ad
vance the fee seem to hope or expect
that the larger amount named, will
have a deterrent effect on the number
Of licenses issued and thus reduce the
number OF saloons In the city, but in
my Judgment this impression will not
materialize into actual results in the
manner hoped for.
or course it will infiict heavier
penalty on the persons engaging In
purposes of imposing this larger fee.
feel justified in saying that 1t is not
heavy enough to accomplish any sat
isfactory results The men who are noy.
paying $1,000. can undoubtedly be
forced to pay $500. and possibly a
few of the weaker ones may be forced
out of business, but the only definite
result will be to increase the amount
Of revenue, derived from the trade.
with which to aid in training the youth
of our city ''in the way they should
CO." This may be sufficient reason
for increasing the license fee. but l
do not SO regard it. There is now quite
strong sentiment against using funds
derived from this traffic in the educa-
ton of children, and can not see how
people, holding such views can logi-
calIy advocate an increase of the fund
derived from crime" RS is so often
stated, for use in educational purposes.
If the object or purpose of this prop
osition is to drive men out of this
business. then the fee proposed is not
large enough. and to accomplish any
such result, it should not be less than
ST. 500. This sum, or larger one,
would undoubtedly have au effective in
f1uence on the number of saloons in
the city. In my judgment it would
force one-half or two-thirds of the sa-
looms to close AS stated above, a fee
of 81 500 may close a few of the sa-
looms, but the number would be toe
insignificant to produce any percepti
BILE effect on the traffic. The whole
tendency of a $1,50O fee. will be to
force every saloon keeper into ways
that are dark and tricks that are
vain to raise the increased amount
and every effort will be made to evade
the law controlling these places and to
increase their income by every pcssi-
BILE means, both fair and foul. The
work OF the incoming administration
will be found much more difficult and
the increased expenses in the way O,
arrests and litigation in their attempts
to hold this element in line will largely
offset the increased revenue. On the
other hand, a fee of $500. or more
will not only reduce the number OF sa
looms, but it will also shut out the law
less and irresponsible element, who are
the class that causes the most trouble
in every case. Therefore l feel thai
if the amount of the fee can not be
made large enough to accomplish the
desired results, it had better remair
where it is would rather see the
officials Of the city put into effect
condition that would promise to secure
obedience to the law, rather than u
adopt policy that would always be
standing temptation to evade the law