Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-09-01
GASOLINE" CORNER.
Given New Name by Commissioner
 Thompson To-Day.

Durlng the nearing before County Commissioners Walter, Thompson and Geddes in the district court to- day the application of Timothy Bren- nan of Fuller street for a liquor li- cense for the place occupied recently by Castles meat market, there was considerable feeling shown and Pat rick Holohan. one of the remonstrants. told what he thought of Congressman Lilley's enterprise on South Main street. Attorney Russell represented the remonstrants. There were about twelve of them but only a few were present. They claimed that the place was unsuitable for a saloon because there were enough saloons there at present. Mir Brennan conducted his side of the case. In opening he said that where he lives. on Fuller street, there is only one saloon to about one thousand people and he can make a | fine living. He understood that 1t was claimed by the remonstrants that there are twenty saloons within a ra- dius of 2,500 yards of so-caIled Ben zine corner, which Commissioner Thompson referred to as "Gasolene 1 cOrner.o He held that there must be population of 10000 living and pass ing in that vicinity every day, and | that another saloon would not hurt the place
 He was asked by Attorney Russell l if he did not think there were too many saloons there now, and he re- | piled that for that matter there are too many saloons in the city. Crowds gather in the place in question, he said, because they can't go anywhere | else. They can't go to Pine hill and they won't go to the parks.
 Patrick Holohan was then sworn. He testified that he is assessed on $140,00O There are too many sa- looms on Benzine corner now and another one would only starve. There are only few men in the liquor busi- ness in town who are making any money; the others are merely working for the wholesalers. The saloons on. BenZine corner and vicinity damage his property to the extent of S75.00O. Look at the fire trap Congressman Lilley has been allowed to put up," he exclaimed. it is a disgrace to the city and it should not be allowed to stand. A two-story fire trap and it's nothing else. He put 1t up merely to grab a little money. He don't care two cents about the city. Only for the saloons on South Main street it would be the finest street in the city for it is the principal outlet. It would be away ahead of Bank street but as it is now the better class of people won't come to South Main street. Yes, it is true, there are three saloons in my property, two on South Main street and one on Scovill street, but I have not rented a place for a saloon in fifteen years. One saloon keeper, finding he can't make money, sells out to another and so 1t goes on. There Is one man who kept a saloon there who owes me money yet. They can't pay, there are too many of them"
 Mir Brennan then questioned Mir Holohan, after reminding the commis- sioners that they are old friends. Mir Brennan asked him why he did not remonstrate to a license being issued to the place directly opposite his resi- dence in the Ruth property. Mir Holo- ffaJt Eaid,4t was because he knew the place would not live, and 1t did not live That Is, the man sold out, and the present man can't stay there for he Is not doing business enough. He said that the building in which the license was applied for should never have been tolerated by the city. It is without a cellar and Mir Brennan nor any other man could not make sa- loon pay there. He would rather buy | it that allow a saloon there.
 Louis c. Archambault. Thomas F. Pagan of the Pagan brothers. liquor dealers: and Frank brothers, testified in similar trend.
 Mir Brennan asked both Mfr Pagan and Mir Brothers if they would sell out. and each said he would if he got his price.
 Oh, we'd all do that" retorted Mir Brennan. Mir Brothers said that there is no money in the business in that part of the city now and any one who l thinks there is is mistaken.
 Mir Brennan made a '.few remarks"