Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1908-08-13
COMMISSION AT MILLyILLE.

COMMISSION AT MILLVILLE.
From Staff Cores pondent.)
Millville, August 12. Does prohibi-
tion prohibit?
That is the question which the State
Excise Commission, appointed by Gov
ernor Fort to investigate the true ex-
else conditions in New Jersey. hoped
to have answered by the public officials
of Cumberland county yesterday.
They looked upon our county as one Of
the ''driest" and seemed to deem it
the best place to find solution to the
perplexing interrogation.
The Commission, composed of Mayor
Charles J. Fiske, of Plainfeld; Judge
J. Kearny Rice, of New Brunswick; !;
Mayor T. Frank Appleby, of Asbury
Park and Mr. Peter Backus, of Tren.
ton, sat in the council chamber of the
Millville city hall yesterday to examine
witnesses. They were in convention
about two hours, having arrived in an
automobile about quarter after II
o'clock and the session was adjourned
at twenty minutes after / o'clock
Special officers had served the SUBJ
poenaes and all the desirable witnesses
that could be located were present
Chairman of the Commission, Mr..
Fiske efter 1apping for order, read
aloud the object of the examinations
and the duties of the commissioners.
He announced that witnesses from Cape
May, Cumberland and Salem counties
would be heard
Cape May County.
The first witness called was Mayor
Frederick J. Melvin, of Cape May
City. The examination follows:
"Have any violations of the Bishops
law been req rorted to your" asked MIR.
Fiske.
''No official reports have been
made" replied the Mayor.
'How many saloons and hotels are
there in Cape May?" was next asked.
Eleven saloons and three hotels. -
'Have you instructed the police de.
partment in regards to the Bishops
law?"
II have.
'Have there been any violations?''
''None that I know
rs your chief of police active in in
vestigating the conditions?''
YES"
Then Mr.. Fiske read a report which
had been made by the Commission
special officers. It revealed some sur
prising facts to the Mayor. On Sun
day, July 26, the secret agents ha6
heen admitted. to..the Homestead hotel.
In the bar-room they found twenty
three persons, colored and white, drink
ing. The same day they were let ir
the Risley Capital hotel after tipping
a tootblack and an attendant Foul
Italians were found therein. The Off.
GERS purchased one-half pint of .whis
key. All the screens were down tight.
At the Cage May hotel mot the new
Hotel Cape May) they saw colored mer
enter and heard persons in the bar,
room tell them to keep quiet; they
also heard cash register ring. Al
the Lafayette they were served drinks
on Sunday to guests.
Mayor. Melvin said he did not know
of the violations.
Mr.. Fiske continued the examination
by asking 'tHave you any socia
clubs?'' ~ gYI lAl2 t.
Eyes" came the answer.
''Do they sell liquor?''
Not with my knowledge
Isn't the Cape May Athletic Asso
citation a tough placer"
II don't know
rs the working of the present laws
all right for Cape May?''
Yes"
\ Is there any reason for Sunday sell
ing to keep the place a-goingy"
"No."
'Ts the success of Cape May in any
way dependent on the liquor bust
ness?"
NO
What hours are the hotels closed?''
There are no fixed hours.
Mr.. Backes then took up the exami.
nation
Mayor, are you familiar with the
conditionsY'
Somewhat
"Were you foreman of last Septem
ber's grand ju1y?"
II think so
Aren't you sure you were?" a
Il am
Were there amy cases of illegal sell