New-York tribune., 1908-01-31
FaTORS FEWER SALOONS.
Clement Wouid Reduce Number
Here. but Increase Tar.
rrv Telegraph to The Tribune J

.,ha-~ 1en "a decrease in the number o.
saloons in New York City without cofrespoli0''.
decrease in revenue is the result "hich MAJ ="
X Clement state Excise Commissioners. believes
,,s +ooxr tl,e ador;ion of his suggestion to pro-
vide q uniform rate Of excise taxation in the ci'<-
In l,is annual report submitted TO the Leslsia'uie
to-day he recommends IAN amendment 'hat WIZ
,,ro,-;ae uniform Of excise taxation ior an
licensed nlaces in the city OF New York the same
as is row provided for in the other cities OF the
state"
In relation this he says in his report:
In addition 10 conforming the rate of taxation ii IN
this city TO the requirse,s OF ~ in
New York City Will operate TO decrease tne num-
ING the revenue and of the places thus eliminated
many. il not most of them. viii be those now sin
police supervision and for that reason objec
tionable 10 the home and home life OF that city
The present ratio Of taxation In New York City
ranges from $500 in Manhattan 10 SIS in The
Bronx $500 in certain places in Queens and si50 IN
certain places in Richmond. Commissioner Glenn
ent would impose 4 fat rate of $3.50 for hotels
restaurants and saloons and $50 for stores
IL II. Russell. of the Anti-salcon League. was
about the Capitol to-day trying to find an intro
ducer for his local option bill While he was thus
engaged the Commissioner making the follow
ing remark in his report: ''HysteTia and the meth
ods of branstorm agitators have ever PROVIDED
serious distractions in the pathway OF pracucal
ana possible excise reform. which can be promot-
90 only by the work of rational and common sense
influences
IF the majority Of electors in each locaIty
would put in authority and sustain only such
,,olice and prosecuting officers in each city ano
county as would supplement the work OF the de-
rartment by the faithful performance OF their
sworn duties in respect the proper enforcement
of the law in criminal cases, all serious ABUSES
would practically cease
,,o,pr,iss;or,er Clement saws that the brainy
irterexted in traffic of liquors are wIselT rec
ornizins the trend Of public sentiment and are
striving 10 obey the law. lie says they under
stand fun well that the greatest danger 20 the
welfare of their business is TO be found IN the
-3ssrsnr and defiant practices Of chronic excise
Afoletors which So offend the moral sense or pub
5fs 5ecencv and furnish the most favorable oppor-
rl5ritv for the operation Of agItators and emo
15oral reformcrs that may result in arbitrary ana
dlastic legislation. tending to the destruction
rather than the regulation of their business
Another important recommendation in the re-
port would seek practically TO establish search
and seizure law in this state Commissioner
Clement would give police officers and agents OF
Tho state Excise Department the authority TO
seaoel, rlaoes suspected of being stocked with
liquors IN violation Of the law and seize the prop
erTr-
Another recommendation would provide for the
forfeiture of the right OF places within two nun
.ireE Feet Of a church schooihouse 10 deal ID
liorors or conviction of violating the law
Commissioner Clement Tenews number OF rec
,7rnr,endstio.ls made last year. including the
changing Of the certificate year from Nay to
tar-nF,ar