The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-01-04
NO CONTEST ON EARLY CLOSING Bar Men Will Abide
 Decision in Mobile. TEST OF RESTAURANT CLOSING One Proprietor of Combined Busi- ness Keeping Open. Win Be Indicted by Grand Jury--Has Bar Screened From Restaurant
 ---No Evidence of Decrease
 In Saloons Here.

IHAt montgomery saloon men VIII await the judgment of the courts on intoxicating liquors against the 9 o'clock closing law and will not make a test of the general law in the city was the consensus of decisions of bar keepers last night. Only the law reg ulating the screening of bars from res- taurants and groceries will be chal- lenged here.
 The rumor that the liquor dealers of the city will oppose the Mine O'clock Closing" statute was strong two days ago. Then it was reported that nego- tiations were pending between the Re, tail Liquor Dealers and c firm of att torneys for a formal challenge of the law in the courts. Later, however, it was determined that the test case be- ing made in Mobile would be suffi- cient. and the merchants in liquor here decided to bide their time.
 The law in regard to screens now holds the greatest interest in Montgom- cry. Though no arrest has been made 1t is known that one proprietor of q restaurant and bar. where the bar was screened from the restaurant with jury. The provisions of the Sunday Closing Law" are that the bar shall be separated from the restaurant by screens, If by nothing more impass- ibie, and City Attorney c. P. McIn- tyre. speaking at request of Mayor Teague. gave the opinion that the city might permit the same barriers during the dark hours from 3 p. m. to 6 a. m.
 County authorities seem to differ from that opinion. however, and ih only one case has the proprietor of a restaurant and bar kept his shop open and utilized the screens. The other places are closed tight at D. m. The attitude of the saloon men towards the law is unfriendly but resigned. They are obeying the statute in spirit and in letter, but they all feel that an in- justice has been done to them. They think 9 o'clock is extremely soon for shutting up their business. Ten o'clock, they think, would have been fairer, and il o'clock would have been fair est of all, towards themselves and to. wards their patrons.
 To Go HOme Early.
 'we shall be the only gentlemen in town Saturday nights" said a bar tender over the phone yesterday. "At o'clock we'll shut up and so home and the poor bankers and merchants and clerks and so on will have to keep on working dntil midnight or later. They will have to walt until their eus- toners are tired. Our customers will have to quit whether they are tired or not, and we shall be the fine leisured class.
 "on the mirror in our place have written in good soap, clean English that 1t is along time between ?. m. and 6. m., and a great many feel going to do a big bottle trade just before the nine strokes of the inaudi- ble bell in the tower, can't say. But I can say that the law is going to hurt us without doing much for anybody else."
 Yet for all that the number of sa- looms in Montgomery is not decreasing. Where some have given up their li- censes others have applied for licenses In new places. Nat Waller. Wash- ton Street, and J. A. Galatas. 225 Bibb Street, have quit. w. l.. Allen, 205 Shady Street, and J. N. Vaughan, 1105 North Court Street. have not yet paid their licenses. upon which damage of 10 per cent. began to accrue Janu- ary i. It is possible they will not com tinue their business.
 New Concerns.
 But J. c. Wilcox. at the corner of Hilliard and Monroe Streets. and N. F. Goodson, PAP Clayton Avenue. have not only obtained licenses from the Council, for the sale of liquors. but have deposited each $75 as an earnest of their intentions to do business. J. T. Williams & Co.,. 123 Monroe Street and the Albany Whiskey Company. 15 Monroe Street, have applied for licenses to sell malt, vinous and spirituous liquors. and H. Meirovitz, 502 North Union, has asked for the permission to sell malt liquors-what is popularly termed a beer license.
 These statistics would indicate that the number of saloons fin the city would more probably increase than decrease.
 The charge for license to sell malt, vinous and spirituous liquors in the fire limits of the city Is $401, without the fire limits $201; for beer license anywhere in the city. s151.