The star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1908-1909, 1908-07-22
EXHIBIT WH|SKEY
SOLD SUNDAY IN
THREE COUNTIES
Excise Commission, Sitting in
Elizabeth, Produces the Goods
in Courtroom.
UNION, MIDDLESEX AND
SOMERSET UNDER PROBE
Numerous Indictments, but No
Convictions in Middlesex,
Says Prosecutor. =
rFrom a STAFF Correspondent

tFrom STAFF Correspondent
ELIZABETH, July 22.-Two dozen
bottles containing various brands OF
whiskey and apple Juice were the star
exhibit on the bench in front of Presi-
dent Fisk at the opening of the State
Excise Commission probe here today.
Excise conditions in Union. Middlesex
and Somerset counties are being inves-
tigated and prosecutors. county detec-
tives, police and excise officials from
every municipality in these three coun-
ties filled the court at the county
court house when the session was called
to order by President Fisk.
The bottles contained in the exhibit
were purchased, so the chief prober
said, on Sunday last in various places
in New Brunswick, Elizabeth, Bound
Brook, Somerville, Perth Amboy and
Woodbridge. Some of these bottles
contained the poorest kind of distilled
liquors, while others were filled with
high-proof spirits, which the saloon
keepers are not permitted to sell
President Fisk called the session to
order at 10:4o o'clock. On the bench
with him were Commissioners Peter
Backes. of Trenton; John Howe. of
Newark; T. Frank Appleby. of Asbury
Park, and G. G. Smith, of New Bruins
wick. The conditions In Middlesex
county were the first to be taken up,
and Prosecutor George Berdine was the
first witness called. He said he had
h. Co a
Grand Jurors and petit jurors, he said,
were selected with great deal of care,
and the sheriff, he declared, was man
sincere in the discharge Of his duties.s
All were Acquitted.
Two years ago, he said, there was a
crusade waged by the Anti-Saloon
League during which indictments were
found. The defendants were acquitted
however, despite this fact" said the
witness. "I believe we had prima
facia case against the defendants" An
other case, q recent one, he said, also
resulted In an acquittal. despite the
fact that there was a clear case against
the accused. Where pleadings OF
guilty or convictions are obtained, said
the witness, in reply to questions asked
by Mr.. Backes, the licenses have been
revoked.
"Juries refuse to accept" he said.
what they term purchased testimony.
the testimony Of paid witnesses"
"Do you know that Perth Amboy
makes no pretense to observe the Sun
day closing provision of the law?" MI.
Backes asked.
"I know the chief of police of Perth
Amboy is a man who is trying to do his
duty"
Mr.. Berdine declared that there are
too many saloons in Middlesex County.
He didn't know how many saloons in
the county are controlled by the brew
cries.
"Do politics figure In the granting OF
licenses in your county," asked Mr.
Backes.
Politics Worked.
you know and do that politics are
worked to obtain licenses" replied the
witness.
do you know Alderman James Cur
ran?"
ct do"
His license has been held up for
more than year,"
II have heard that it has"
"why?"
'I don't know"
isn't 1t because he's a Democrat?"
''I wouldn't want to say So"
"But he's a Democratic alderman
and the Excise Board Is Republican,
isn't it?" N''
TIN perfectly sincere in the excise
question: declared the prosecutor.
"I'll say that we have too many sa-
looms We have five murder cases
pending in the courts now. and they
are all traceable to the saloons" con-
tinued Berdine.
"You say ;hat although you have
had good reputable men on your juries.
you have been unable to secure con-
victions. Isn't it because the people
think the Bishops law is too strict?"
asked Commissioner Howe.
"I would not say that. l think the
principal reason for acquittals is that
the juries refuse to accept paid testi-
mony. The saloon-keeper has no busi-
ness to complain because he is COM
PEELED to close on Sunday any more
than the butcher, the baker or the
grocer"
Frank Hoffman, county detective of
Middlesex County, said that he had
investigated four excise cases during
the six months he has been in office
"I haven't had time to investigate any
more" he said, because I've had
eleven murder cases to work on since
was appointed
Mayor Albert BollschweiIer. OF Perth
Amboy. wes next called. He said
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