Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-07-16
SALOON MEN ARE DISAPPOINTED
Had Expected to Keep side Doors
Omen on SnndaN.

Had Expected to Keep side Doors
Open on Sunday.
The saloonmen of Council Bluffs were not
only feeling disappointed, but also some
what aggrieved. During the week there
had been a rumor, more or less indefinite
it is admitted, that the municipal authori-
ties which in this case means Mayor Mac
rae and Major G. H. Richmond, chief of
police. were willing that the lid should be
lifted somewhat and that no objection would
be raised IL the Sunday closing order should
not be strictly obeyed. In fact, 1t is said
that some of the saloonkeepers in the
central portion of the city had received a
tip straight from headquarters that they
would be permitted to open their side doors
Sunday.
The hopes OF the saloonmen we're, how
ever, short lived. Shortly before the closing
hour Saturday night members of the police
department made the rounds Of the saloons,
at least those in the center of the city,
and notified the proprietors that any at
tempt to open side or back doors on Sun
day would be followed by arrest. Further
more. the saloonmen were Informed that
the Sunday closing order was to be rigidly
enforced and that no favorites would be
played. The latter. 1t is said, meant that
do business regularly on the Sabbath be-
hind closed doors. in rooms over the sa-
loon or in restaurants attached TO the
place, would have to obey the mayors
order the same the rest.
All of the saloonmen practically had
planned to have their side doors open yes
| terday and the order to the contrary, COM
ing late Saturday night, proved considerable
of a disappointment Discussing the situ-
alton yesterday the proprietor of one of
the downtown saloons said:
"I have no objection 10 keeping my
! place closed on Sunday II all the others
| are required to do the same. II is we'll
known to the police as we'll as to the gen.
eral public that certain saloons have been
permitted to do business on Sunday and
nothing has been said about It, Why, II
\ is only week or so ago the proprietor OF
a certain saloon in the heart OF the city
and his bartender were arrested one night
for keeping open after midnight. Nothing
came of the case. however, as the police
| failed TO prosecute, but nevertheless am
required TO close my place promptly at
midnight and keep IL closed all Sunday.
As long as the order is enforced impair
TALLY / have no kick coming, but I think
l am entitled 20 one when It is not. The
saloons not located in the center of the
city do business right along on Sunday,
and this surely must be known to the
police department"
saloonmen assert that before the mu-
nicipal election last March they were given
| to understand that I'm the event OF Mayor
| Macrae's reelection the lid would not be
shut down on them. Some OF the saloon
men go so far as to assert that a well
defined promise 10 this effect was made
them and that on the strength OF 1t they
almost TO a man, so they say, contributed
generously to the democratic campaign
fund In substantiation OF the latter as
sertion. several offer 10 show their check
books.
The saloonmen also complain that II
seems unfair 20 them TO compel them TO
close thsar places Sunday while at Lake
ManaWa, which. while outside the jurts-
diction OF the municipal authorities, is prac-
tically a part and parcel OF Council Bluffs,
everything is wide open on the Sabbath.