Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-06-14
SAYS CLUBMEN
ARE LACKING in
MORAL COURAGE
SHOULD RESIGN IF LAWS ARE
NOT 0BEYED
JuRIsT GIVES HIS OPINION ON
LIQUOR CASES
Writer Declares Just and Law Abiding
Citizens Should Show Good Faith
by Withdrawal from Or
ganizatlon
BY JOHN d. WORKS


we have in Los Angeles just now the
unpleasant spectacle of three or more
of the leading and most influential
social clubs of the city standing our
against the just claim that they snail
pay the license imposed by the city 1or
running q liquor saloon on their prem
Uses. OF course they do not call 1t
saloon. In polite club parlance it is a
buffet. which is defined in the Standard
dictionary as 81. A sideboard or cup
board. for china, glass, etc. z. Hence
a public place for lunch or light re-
freshments, distinguished from q res
taurant." The club members them
selves would hardly recognize their
place of liquid refreshments in TINS
defnition. It is a liquor saloon, plain
and simple, where men can BUY
LIQUORS of ell kinds at so much
drink and stand at a counter ana
drink it-a place where one can treat
his friends to the drinks as in other
saloons, These clubs are made up, IN
the main, of good citizens, millionaires,
bankers, lawyers, judges, doctors ana
reputable business men of all classes.
One of them Is composed of graduates
of universities, the higher schools OF
learning, where good morals, among
other things. should be taught.
Is 1t a Selfish Motive?
II NAV be q matter of surprise that
gentlemen of this kind should, as q
club, be keeping and operating a liquor
saloon on their premises at all. But
that may pass 1t is certainly greater
cause for wonder that If they do run
such saloons they should set the ex-
ample of resisting the law that re-
uuires them to pay a license Tor the
privilege. Such a course can hardly
be the result of principle. If 1t were,
the higher principle would dictate the
closing of the saloons: 1t must De d d
purely money or selfish motive that
prompts such q course. Doubtless
there are many men in each of these
clubs who do not favor the sale or IN
toxicating liquors by the club and who,
If the majority favor that course, de-
plore the present attitude of the man
ayers of the clubs n refusing to pay
the license tax. At such any criticisms
contained in this article are, of course,
not directed. They may be Justly crit1-
cized, however, for not making their
position known to the public and their
opposition to the curse now taken
made known and felt. A just and law.
abiding citizen would show his good
faith, under such circumstances. II ne
with others could not control the &C
tions of the club in a matter involving
moral turpitude and violation OF the
law by severing his connection with the
club, giving his reasons therefor. But
the necessary moral courage is gener-
ally lacking in such cases. Men too
often content themselves by saying, Il
am not managing the club or control
ling it's policies and letting evil nave
its way without so much as protest
Operated at Profit
The reason for operating a liquor
saloon in connection with social CLUB
of this kind is not far to seek. 1t may
be found in a document issued by one
of the clubs In question entitled, An
nual Report of the Secretary ana
Treasurer, Year Ending April 30. 1905.
A part of this annual report bearing on
this question, is as follows:
OPERATIONS OF DEPAR vMENTs
Restaurant and annex
May /, 1907 inventory. sRhlO.S5
Wages and board Of en-
ployes, supplies and ex-
pense for year s2'lu'l4
.s4,711.9s
Receipts for year ..........s7s, s4S51
Supplies hand May !,
1908 ..................IE.'...'. 1TSlso oo'oSo41
Loss ............. s14,Os1. SO
Wines
May l. 1907, inventory ........s1, S51E
Wages, supplies and ex-
pense for year.............. l7,7g.46
s1s.57s.ss
Receipts for year ..s23 1880
Supplies hand May 1,
1908 .,.................. 3557.3 2s,9S4s1
Gain ,.,,...,........ $7,4o5 90
Rooms
Wages, supplies and ex-
penses for year ............ se,922 q
Receipts for year............ l9,255O5
Gain .....,............... ss,382S4
Cigars (no charges made against this de-
partment)-
May 1907, inventory ........ 32S6S
Supples for year............. s,64S6
ss,s77.A
Receipts for 1l270
Supplies on hand May /,
1908 ..........,............... 72445 s12,s37 Is
Gain .......................... s0.S59n
Dues
Members' dues for year,. $50, 80
General expense for year.. 57,726o3
Gain ......................... s1,676 At
Repairs and renewals
Net operating proft.......... 1884
Fees received during year.. 1880 90