Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-12-04
LIQUOR AGENCIES.
CONTINUED from Page One.)

sence of Gen. Richards and Senator Hes
elton, who were invited to be present at
the hearing.
Judge Cleaves gave to the committee
the purport of a conversation the pre-
vious evening with Gen. Richards. Gen.
Richards had said that he believed that
the canteen should be rehabilitated, and
that then the Chelsea and Randolph agen-
cies would close of themselves.
Questioned by Mr. Newbert. Agent
Kicker said that the agency was started
FOR the good of Chelsea"
Mr.. Newbert questioned along the line
of the number of sales to Togus veter-
ans, and the witness agreed to a compila-
ton of figures which Mr.. Newbert had
made showing proportion of about 80
to /.
That is better than 16 to T. said Mr..
Newbert.
That's Pryan's money; it amt ourn,"
retorted tie witness.
| He drew a line on selling a man more
than half a pint day
Frank c. Meader treasurer of the
| town of Chelsea. had no books at the
| hearing. The books We're in the posses
sion of the selectmen The profit from
| the agency the first year was 1856; the
second year, about $1,000; last year, $500;
| and so far this year. $l160.
c. E. Clark one of the selectmen OF the
town of Randolph, as a member of the
board of selectmen and as Il citizen, said
| he believed that the agency was conduct
ed according to law. He vigorously con-
| troverted statements of Senator Heselton
read to him from the record of the last
Legislature.
Frederick A. Aver, a citizen of Ran
dolph lives within 400 or 800 feet of the
agency. He believed that it was neces-
sary for an agency to be maintained in
Randolph. He had never heard Of any
runner" or agent being sent out from
the agency.
| Charles Phenix. citizen of Chelsea
runs the barber shop at the Nationa
Soldiers Home Did not know why he
had been summoned to the hearing anc
would like to find out.
| Stephen Everett Johnson marble work
err. CT Gardiner. 7G years Of age. Was
| personally in favor Of the agency. Be
lieved that good citizens. wanting place
in which to obtain liquor for legitimate
purposes, should have en- opportunity te
procure it, without being forced 10 go t.
| rumshops
The hearing was adjourned until
| o'clock in the afternoon.
| Frank z. Andrews, formerly city
marshal of the city of Gardiner testi-
fled at the opening of the Afternoon
| session would rather contend with al
agency than a saloon. He thought thai
the cid soldiers would be better of
patronizing an agency than saloons
where they were liable to be robbed
by the hangers-on
Figures which had been submitted
| on the sales at the Gardiner agency
may be summarized as follows:
| Fiscal Paid
| year. State Agt Profit
| 1909 ......................$4a12 .56 S191S.3
| 1891; Observation-Disclosures. 6,3O9.3o 2,,55.3
1870, Observation-Disclosures. 4.527,50 1,174.5
Edward J.. Hartman of Gardner
said he thought that the profit system
spoilt the whole thing. He thought tina
| this was the main trouble. 1.-The agen
runs as near the law as he cam Thi.
was the witness own personal view.
| Il am not in favor of selling liquor
for profit" said the witness.
In response to question by Chair
man Sewall of the committee, the wit
| ness thought that the mayor and al
dermen should have the oversight O
the work of the liquor agent and should
| sec that he performed his duty.
Mrs. S. G. Paine of Gardiner was the
next witness. She is president OF the
| Gardiner w. G. T. L. She was not ir
favor Of the liquor agencies. If the
agency was conducted without profit
and the liquor was dispensed only or
occasions of actual and present illness
it might be satisfactory. AS an organ
ization, the w. c. r. U. was not in IA
vor of the agencies.
| James r. Goodwin. liquor agent OF
the town of Randolph, was the next
witness.