Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-12-18
DIVERSITY OF OPINION
Prevails as to Whether Lodging
Houses are Required to Be Licensed.

y Spctldl lIltttlflS Oh lllt' municipal
officers OF this city was held last even
ing at the suggestion of Mr.. Pringle
in order TO give those who might apply
for such licenses as innkeeper or
viCtualer. The meeting was called 10
order by Mayor Bunker. The municipal
officers consist Of the mayor. the board
of aldermen, the city treasurer ard the
city clerk.
This was the first time in the history
OF the city Of Waterville the municipal
officers had been called together for
such q purpose. OF course it Is gener-
ally tinderstoos5S that Rev Mr.. Pringlr
had prime object in calling the atten-
ton of the municipal officers to this
law. called blue law" and 'obsolete
law 1t is plain that his object is to
surround every person who may be in
clined to violate the liquor law with a
condition that will make him more
easily amenable to the liquor law and
TO also increase the responsibilities
which naturally attach to hotels, res
taurants and boarding houses.
OF the nearly 100 establishments in
this city, only six managers applied for
and received licenses. Some were
granted licenses on the payment of 81
and the furnishing Of a bond of $500,
while others are allowed to continue,
pending the payment of 81 and the fill
ing of the bond within a reasonable
time. A member of the board asked
whether the boarding houses of the
civ were 10 be included and City Clerk
Clair answered that boarding houses
are not included in law. Then arose the
1,nt n =
to be problem whether the Park
and Exchange hotels, where TO meats
are served can be designated as inns.
Mr. Clair held that the law means en-
tertainment for man and beast Mr..
Clair's position further is that wher"
man maintains q lodging house ana
doesn't sell victuals. he is not providing
the entertainment intended under Inc
law and that where man sells VlctualS
and doesn't lodge, boarders. he doesn I
provide entertainment in the meaning
of the law.
Mr.. Clair gave the definition as he de-
clares the law dictionary provides OF
the word 'mnkeeper or innholder
and his position is based upon that
definition But the law requires that
yictualcrs shall take out 4 license ami
give bond This last is the position OF
some. who disa gree with Mr.. Clair. and
who urged that when the law says, linn
holders and victualerS," ii doesn't mean
that the proprietor of an establishment
must sell victualS and lodging together.
OF these latter who believe that board
ing houses are subject to the law. May
or Bunker is one.
At the close of the meeting several
proprietorS Of lodging houses or Eictual-
ing establishments discussed the prob
lem presented and discoursed at con-
siderable length upon the attitude tn"
CITY should take regarding several e@-
Establishments now untaXed by the CITY
and which according to these arguerS
come directly under the law and the
rule Of taxable property. When the
lmunicinal officers adjourned ADJOURN
nent was taken to the next regular
meeting of the City Council, which Will
be held the first Tuesday evening IN
January. The most interesting featur"
| or the whole proposition ct this time
| lies in the fact that the municipal Of
GcnrS cannot delegate their authority III
this particular to any individual Off
| cial and consequently no more licenses
can be granted until the January meet
| ing. The law provides that inn keepers
| and yictualerS who refuse or neglect !"
| take out such licenses at such time as
th.. runicinal officers shall direct. shall
no euniect 70 Il fire Of $50 for each day
sucb establishment is continued OF
maintained without such license. In
terest in the case grows with oacf
| passing day.