The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-18
XMAS CLOSING
HEARING HELD
BY COMMISSION

The request OF organized labor i'm this
mas day was taken UP at a public hear
| ing by the majority OF the police COM
mission at 2:30 this afternoon.
Only Chairman William II. Luther ana
Col. Harold j. Gross were present. Early
this morning some one telephoned that
Commissioner Lewis j. Pierce could not
attend, owing TO illness I'm his family.
The absence of Mr.. Pierce from many
important meetings OF the board. for one
reason or another. has been the subject
OF much comment, the burden OF deciding
matters falling in consequence upon the
shoulders of his colleagues.
The state branch OF the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor the Providence Building
Trades council, the Central Trades and
Labor union, the Rhode Island Temper
ance league and the Edmands Prohbl-
tion alliance were represented at the hear
ing.
The Providence Retail LIQUOR Dealers
association, as we'll as the Bartenders.
also had representatives present TO look
after their interests.
Supt A b. Crlsty and Rev. George w
Kent represented the Rhode Island Tenn
/ perance league r. F.. Corbett the ALI
ance. William F.. Doyle. William F.
Names and George T. Taft the dealers
and Philip Agnew, John T. Hayes and
| Peter r. Bowen the bartenders.
George Il. Brady brought resolutions
from the labor bodies.
Rev. Mr.. Cristy presented an exhaustive
argument, in part as follows
This board has absolute Jurisdiction
given II expressly by statute for such
n ha aya "A In fh. int .af
the public peace and welfare
The liquor traffic has not the natural
rights of legitimate business. lii is under
the ban OF the law. 1t exists only by the
grace OF civil government. which imposes
restraints upon II for the protection Of
society from It's recognized evils
THE liquor traffic has no legal right,
therefore, TO demand the privilege to keep
open on any holiday or election day
Since the statutes expressly specify that
any license board having the authority of
town councils may. at 2-hours notice,
order their places closed. II Is no invasion
of their rights when such power is exer-
| cised.
There can be no lawful claim on you
not TO impose this restraint in this in
stance. II you do not so exercise your
power II will be a matter OF grace and
favor from YOU 10 the saloon-keepers and
not because you are compelled by logic
or law TO so refrain.
THE Christian church has a right to
| expect that you will listen to our request
| that YOU will preserve our city from the
/ evils which flow from the open sale of
| intoxicants on that day which is set apart
| TO commemorate the birth Of the Prince
I'VE point TO the record OF the deaths
and violence through excessive drinking
In this vicinity on Thanksgiving day and
! the following days as our warrant for
asking that you do as much as the law
permits you TO do I'm restraining such
| evils by closing the saloons, which are
the fountains Of three fourths OF our pow
erty and crime
! ".The workjngmen OF our city have
! taken the initiative in asking that you
/ remove from their fellows the temptation
! TO excess which the open saloon thrusts In
| their faces. Their wives and children join
IN this petition, that they may have less
| sorrow and terror from the drunken pas
sions of those who should be their natural
| protectors.
The bartenders join in asking for this
| that they may have a lawful right to a
day OF rest and pleasure in common with
! those who are engaged in other occupa-
| tions.
I'VE appeal to you. to grant our request;
in behalf Of the peace and good order Of
/ our city. in view OF the peculiar character
! of the day. in the name OF the Christian
| church, and of the working men. i'm the
interests of the families Of those who are
| tempted to drink to excess and reverent-
| ly | nthe name of the great ruler OF ma
tions TO whom you must give account for
the results that bay flow from the open
| saloon on this day"
In behalf of the bartenders II was
stated that state law applying not only
1 10 this city but TO every town and city
| was desirable.
| Before the board went into session it
was understood that IL would not consider
today the appointment Of sergeants to fill
vacancies.