The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-10-18
Sheriff Insists Excise and
Police Boards Enforce
the Laws.
WRITEsLETTER TO MAYOR
Says Provisions of Bishops Law
Are Disregarded Here--Som-
mer Says He Doesn't Want to
Interfere Unless Authori-
ties Are Inactive.

Sheriff Frank II. Sommer this after
noon sent a communication to Mayor
Jacob Haussling requesting him TO
urge both the Excise Board and Police
Commission to take steps at once to
remedy the evils existing in the city
because of the lax enforcement of cer~
tain laws. City officials who were in-
terviewed said the letter is Republic
can political campaign document, sent
out at this time for political effect.
The sheriff says he is not anxious to
conduct another crusade unless the city
authorities do not Investigate condi-
tions and apply a remedy
The issuance of this letter by the
sheriff has given a shock to many peo-
pie who were of the opinion that the
proximity of the campaign would put
a stop to his anti-vice activity. Many
violaters took advantage of this fact,
and have, it Is said, been a bit more
bold than usual. The sheriff, however.
has been on the watch, and IL Is said
has had his men gathering evidence all
the time.
As Sheriff Sommer hapded copy OF
the letter TO the members Of the press
he remarked:
'.The original of this has gone to
Mayor adjusting and ought to be in
his hands by this time"
When asked if he had any further
explanation to mako he replied: NO.
l think it explains itself"
The sheriff sent the letter to the
Mayors office by couple of his men.
When they arrived at the City aR. both~
the Mayor and bis private secretary,
]. Wilson Vance, had gone for the day.
and the letter was undelivered.
The communication is as follows:
office of the Sheriff, Court House
Newark N J., Oct. 1s 1907.
Hon. Jacob Haussling, Mayor OF the CitE
of Newark, City Hall:
MY Dear Sir-The statute of this State
approved Lpril 49, 1906, which went into
effect July of that year (P. L: 1906 p; lw'
chap 11D provides among other tninss.
that no license shall be granted to sell in-
toxieating liquors by measures less tnhn
one quart in with certain exceptions) any
place except a bar or business room upon
the ground floor or basement OF . puiion'S
on n public street.
ut also provides that with certain ex-
ceptions) no such liquors shall De soiu OF
served in any room. except IN sncn par
terior view of the whois Of said bar or
business room Except for toilet purposes)
Shall IN no way be obstructed
"rhese provisions OF the law prohibit tne
rooms In connection with barroms.
such rooms while in many cases used
for legitimate purposes were in other m
stances, at the time OF the els. enaclLnen. VI
this statute used as places OF assignation.
H'rhey were the scene of the activities
OF prostitutes and vicious and depraved
persons who preyed upon those in a sta1e
OF partial or total intoxication ana upon Z
other unfortunates-
My Investigations traced to them a
large percentage Of the cases Of debauchery
of the young.
enforce the law prohibiting sales to minors
and intoxicated persons.
"They afforded a convenient centre for
the stealthy sale ana circulation or CO.
"The gave shelter and the protection Of
privacy In a public place to handbook
men.
"These things led to the enactment Of
this statute forbidding altogether their
visions OF the law are now to a very great
extent ignored and disregarded IN the CITY
of Newark.
~ have no desire to undertake the work
Of enforcing compliance with these pro-
visions OF the statute In the city of New
ark unless such course Is rendered neces.
OF the local authorities on whom this duty
is imposed Ia the first instance.
r address this communication to you
In the belief aud expectations that. once
your attention Is directly called TO the
situation you will cause snch action to be
taken that no such necessity will exist,
THE statute provides GD that Violation
Of the provisions to which l have re-
ferred shall result in the forfeiture OF the
license Of the offender. and ~ that he shall
be guilty of the offense Of keeping, dis
orderly house.
IN view Of this may | s,igEest to you
that you cause an inquiry as to the con-
..itions which I am informed exist, to be
made and snch action as may BE- neces-
sary to bring about compliance with thcss
provisions Of the law 4. be taken by born
eity? Very resnectfullv yours.
FRANK H. SoMIcR
Commissioner John J. Baader, president
OF the Police Board. was informed OF the
contents OF the letter by an EVENING
STAR reporter this afternoon He seemed
surprised to learn that there were VIOLA
tions OF the excise law.
He said that the members of the COM
mission at the weekly conferences with
the heads OF the Department have fre-
impressed upon the captains and
on Chief Corbitt the Importance of their
demanding complete observance Of the
law
eli added that according to the weekly
reports received from the captains, the
law is being strictly observed, only an oc-
casional violation Of the Sunday selling
clause being noted by the arrest OF the
guilty OF such violation.
II think that the law Is being OBJ
served" said the commissioner, and
will state that the police department IS
loing all within its power to compel its
observance. II is willing to punish any
violations and IL the Sheriff has evidence
II any we would be glad TO get the infor-