Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-19
JAPANESE ARE
REFUSED DRINK
SUCH TREATMENT THEY DE-
CLARE AN INSULT
Two Representative Men Of the Mika-
dos Colony in Los Angeles
Threaten to sue Keeper Of
Restaurant

To avenge what they consider not
only personal insult but also ai'
insult To- their race, NJ. Takekawa ana
r. Suzuki, two of the most prominent
Japanese of Los Angeles, are contem-
plating n suit for damage against a
Spring street soft drink establishment
on the ground that they were publicly
insulted by being refused a drink.
Takekawa is secretary of the Japan
csc American bank in Los Angeles. lie
dresses in the height of fashion and
speaks English with a perfect accent.
lie has been entertained by some of the
best families OF Los Angeles and his
standing in Los Angeles, both socially
and financially. is of the highest.
Tho little cashier Is also one of the
most trustworthy representatives of
his race in the west and he is in con-
stant communication with the authori-
ties at home.
Japanese Beau BrummeI
Suzuki is a model of fashion. He is
the Beau Brummel Of the local Japan
ese colony and he is the proprietor of
n Broadway curio store. Also Suzuki s
coat is always cut Just a little longer
than the height of fashion and his
delicate mustach has a Kaiser Wilhel-
mian twist.
Monday night, according to the alle-
cations of the men, they walked down
Spring street for their evening stroll.
The evening was very warm and the
splash of the cool goods in Christie
piers ice cream parlor sounded like
the splash of water in an oasis.
-Takekawa suggested long cold
drink and Suzuki thought he needed
one himself. The two little men
marched into Chrstophers and mount
cd stools before the ice cream fountain.
On either side of them sat white men
and boys, who shoveled great quanti-
ties of many colored ices down their
throats, for the night was warm.
An Embarrassing Wais
A tiny trickle of perspiration coursed
= down the neck of Suzuki and he looked
enViously at the fat man next to him
who was guzzling a huge glass of pink
lemonade and making atrocious noises
like hippopotamus during the per-
formance.
At last the situation became embar-
assing and Takekawa suggested to the
fountain man that he serve them with
drinks. In the meantime one of the
fountain men, seeing that difficulties
were about to begin, made a hasty
exit Since the boys have been en-
ployed at Christopher's they have alb
Holutely refused to serve Japanese. This
las caused considerable trouble, but
the boys have still followed the rule.
According to the statement of Manager
Stemm of the Christopher company,
the boys have done this against the
rule of Inc house. for there has been no
rule nNde against serving Japanese
Harold Graham, the dispenser at the
fountain, told the Japanese he would
not serve them. He told them in a
quiet way so as not to offend, and the
dnrper suzuki proposed to make a
haaty ey.t to avoid the modification.
HTakekawa Wants Satisfaction
IT was different with Takekawa. lie
wanted The young man to sign a note
stating why he refused to deliver the
drinks asked for but he was refused.
He then appealed to tho cashier, but
received no satisfaction.
Yesterday the two offended japanese
appeared at Christopher's store accom-
panied by their attorney. Manager
Stemm of the establishment told them
how sorry he was over the unfortunate
occurrence, but it failed to soothe their
wounded pride and they left stating
That thfy would consider the apology
and see if it was sufficient to serve as
balm to the insult.
The colo: line is not observed in MANY
OF the scGt drink esta blishments, but
IN many places special glasses are
saved for the Japanese.