New-York tribune., 1906-05-07
WHOLE TOWN WIDE OPEN
NETU LAW MISSES FIRE.
Police Foil to Enforce Prentice dct
Fort George Boouas.

saloons and hotels in this city, with few eS-
ceptions appeared 20 take no notice. whatever
z,eesor5av of the new Prentice lazy, which went
into effect on May ]. The arst Sunday under
the new law, which. lawyers say, is practically
a more strict Interpretation OF the Raines law
was passed with just as wide open saloons and
hotels doing Just as much business as in Sum
davs mast. This was particularly noticeable at
Fort George, where everything was wide open.
There was no pretence whatever 20 serve sand
,viches with drinks, and no attempt was made TO
have doors closed or curtains drawn.
Most Of the larger hotels took a chance yester-
day and opened their bars. intending 20 make
test cases II any arrests were made. But the
rolioe appeared 70 be slngularly inactive IN eA-
else cases, and there were no more arrests thalA
on any other Sunday. ana what arrests were
made were only for the usual excise vioiatiohs
A saloons A few OF the largest hotels cid not
take chances. and did not serve transient guests
even in the rear OF secluded bar rooms. GuesUs
were served in their rooms or had drinks served
AT their meals. but aside from this could OBTAIN
none. In other large hotels guests got drinks
but sandwiches were served. The bars were
lighted and bartenders were working but onAS
guests that we're known could obtain liquor
The most nagrant violations of the excise law
appeared to be in the small Raines law hotels
and the saloon without hotel privileges. In
these there was no attempt at secrecy. MOI even
the sandwiches were served. but in some places
an empty plate on the tables gave an impression
that there had been sandwich, which some
unusually hungry customer had eaten eaFliea
sn the day. Even within a stones throw OF
police stations the saloons were open.
On the upper West Side. where they are many
saloons along Columbus avenue. nearly every
saloon was doing business In one case, with
a policeman standing on the corner near the
saloon, I'VE men were seen 20 leave without any
trouble Any one who desired to could enter
In the Tenderloin section practically all the
saloons and hotels were open. and no attempt TO
look out for the police was made
At Fort George on part OF the man th0TousilI 5II
fare. everything open. The Fort Wendell
Hotel was wide open, and on the front OF tne
building was newly painted sign, reading:
In The large rooms Of this place there were
hundreds of patrons drinking paHronan
stood in front for some time, snq 10. GLl.Ice@ i.ot
of the concert halls at Fort George was croWdeos
and drinks were served without any sa1oNlctes.
Messenger" distributed yesterday at 81,
OIichael's Episcopal Church. S9th street ana
Amsterdam avenue. expressed ms sa~tlst6cuon ~
at the passage of the Prentice law. Dr. refers
was the chairman OF the committee or four-
teen, which had been working for the last tnree
years for the suppression Of the Raines law
hotels Regarding such hotels DR.. Peters SAID:
1T is said that at least hve hundred OF these
dens Of infamy will be obliged to close TINS
n,
bonds are demanding OF the others more serious
assurances of compliance with the law
Yesterdays arrests for violations OF the EX-
else law, as reported by the police were SS as
against "a one week ago yesterday. The arrests
by police precincts were as follows: Oak street.
I: Madison street, /; Macdougal street, l; Null
berry street, 4; Union Market, 1; 9TH street, =:
Mercer street, 1; West Goth street. z; East I'D
street, .; West Both street. 2; West 37th street.
3: West 5lst street, >; East 9th street, i;
West 6Sth street. /: East SSth street, /; East
1O4th street, ,; West 125th street, /; East 126th
street 2: Alexander avenue. 1; fremont 1, and
Brooklyn. T.
Coney Island saloon and hotel men ara much
perturbed over the Prentice Excise law.
Not single hotel at the resort is operating with
license. although they have all paid their money
for licenses and hold the receipts OF the Excise
Commissioner The inspectors Of the Buildings
Department have not visited Coney Island, and
the business men and prOprietOrs of the resorts
are awaiting their coming with some trepida-
tion.
Several places will have to be torn out and
entirely remodelled. Although they have not
received their licenses, all the places were doing
business as usual. and in a great many places
even the regulation piece of bread or cracker
Nyac nj