Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-02
MAYOR SAYS
LICENSE THE
SOCIAL CLUB
COUNCIL MAY PASS 0RDl-
NANCE ON MONDAY
WOULD CREATE INSPECTOR AND
ASSESS TAX
Differences Exist as to Monthly Fee
to Be Asked-Departments
CIamor for More
Funds

Mayor A. C. Harper yesterday re-
newed his suggestion made year ago
that the city council pass an ordl-
nance imposing a monthly license Oh
S25 on all social clubs in Los AnseLes
and that an inspector OF licenses De
named to see to the enforcement or
the ordinance. -. o..
This inspectorship is the position for
which James Craig is slated, but the
administration wants the measure
passed regardless of the inspectorship.
The liquor interests also want 1t
passed as the clubs sell liquors to
members under state charters and the
cify derives not a cent of revenue from
the privilege.
with Councilman A. J. Wallace alb
sent and Councilman Walter Wren
outspoken against the idea, the ma
jority of the council deemed it best
to let the measure lay over till next
Monday. by which time more informa-
tion will be available. The ordinance
will be ready them
Applies TO Buffet Clubs
The mayor recommends that all clubs
where Intoxicating liquors are dis
pensed be made subject to the ordi-
nance. and it is believed about 100
clubs will be affected. This will give
the city monthly license income or
$25, 900 or $4,000 a year. This Will pro-
vide for the police and fire depart
ment overdrafts.
"Tm opposed to the plan," said
Councilman Wren after Councilman
Henry Lyon told him that about 100
clubs were affected. ST want to know
more about it, and 1 fail to see why
we should have sent the ordinance to
the city attorney now on a chance of
passing it when that office is over
loaded with work. / venture to say
that there are not enough legitimate
clubs to pay the salary of license in
Spector.
"I think it poor policy TO pass this
law, as it will open up the way for
more saloon clubs all over the city,"
CIampitt Takes Issue
"I don't think Mr.. Wren knows what
he is talking about" said Councilman
CIampitt, sharply. "There are clubs
here under the state law from which
we get no revenue. 1t is for the in
spector. to make them pay up. Now
they can lock their doors and defy us.
This law paves the way for open
doors"
"I don't care about the inspector
ship, but we ought to license the social
clubs" said Councilman Lyon.
Secretary Irvine of the Taxpayers
league said that to license these clubs
for $25 monthly would do injury to
the saloon and restaurants which sell
liquors and pay far more for the priv
ilege, hence it would only be fair to
wait and hear from these interests
before acting.
Councilman Lyon said that this club
proposition was n favorite one with
the late prosecutor E. j. Fleming.
Councilman Yonkin said the Jona-
than the Union League and other clubs
sell liquors and pay nothing into the
city treasury.
Mr.. Irvine suggested that the num-
Der of social clubs should be limited.
Councilman Blanchard said as the
clubs did not get their charters from
the council, he failed to see how the
council could limit them.
Auditor Is Probing
Auditor Mushet said he had gone
deeply into the license question and
in a few days would have a special
report ON social clubs ready.
1.-THE state gives the charters to
clubs" ne said. Every one sells IL
quor and the city derives no revenue.
We can't very well limit them. Though
they sell liquor these clubs do not
help maintain the police force. Yet
the police ought to have supervision
The question was finally referred tc
the auditor and the city attorney tC
draft an ordinance, Councilman Wren
of the eight present alone voting no