Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-27
BARS MUST CLOSE SUNDAY
Governor to Call Out New JERSEYS
Troops if Necessary.
GRAND JURY INQUIRY A FARCE
"Saturnalia Of Vice" Executive Calls
Famous Resort and Says He'll
Clean It Out.

SEAGIRT, n. j.. August 27.-In start
ling public proclamation issued today from,
the summer capital Gov. Fort declares that
unless all saloons and cafes are closed
and the excise law obeyed next Sunday in
Atlantic City which he calls "satur-
MALTA of vice. he will call an extra ses-
sion of the legislature and may send the
New Jersey state troops to the famous
resort and put the city under martial law.
Most Drastic Action Ever.
This is the most drastic action which
has been taken to enforce a general law
ever taken in New Jersey.
Gov. Fort. in his proclamation, ridicules
the fiasco of ten days ago when a grand
jury at Mays Landing. the county seat.
refused to find indictments. and says that
the action was a burlesque. that three
members of the grand jury were owners
of saloons In Atlantic City and that the
others were in sympathy with the vio-
latOrs of the law.
The grand jury now in session is not
likely to find indictments. the governor
declares. and his proclamation states
that he has affidavts from James c.
Steelman and William Reeves Winters
stating that they purchased liquors last
Sunday in saloons operated by three
members of the grand jury.
Martial Law-Perhaps.
The governor says he can see but one
or two things to do under these circum-
stances. First, call out the militia and
police of Atlantic City, and declare the
resort to be under martial law This
would require an appropriation by the
legislature.
Second, he will ask a special session of
the legislature to enact special legislation
authorizing him to appoint disinterest-
ed commission to take charge of the af-
fairs of Atlantic City
He also wants a law authorizing him to
ure to perform or who willfully neglect
their duty.
Sensation at the Shore
ATLANTIC CITY, n. j., August 81
Gov. Forts startling proclamation created
a sensation here. His drastic attitude on
the subject of violations of the law was
the sole topic of conversation everywhere.
The grand jury is meeting again today
at Mays Landing. the county seat. and
much curiosity is expressed regarding the
outcome of the bOdys deliberations. A
week ago the grand jury, after much de-
liberation. handed down but two indict-
ments against alleged. violators of the
Sunday liquor law other charges being
postponed The following Sunday was
declared by observers to have been more
wide open" than ever before.
Moral When Season Ends.
Members of the grand jury and Atlantic
City officials frankly declared that there
would be no indictments or endorsements
of the laws against Sunday liquor selling
and gambling until after the close of the
season.
A severe storm Is prevailing and sum-
mer visitors are leaving the resort in
great numbers. and it is possible that the
grand jury may conclude that the season
has closed and act on the evidence of law
breaking that has been presented by
County Prosecutor Goldenberg and the
leaders of the reform body, who have
been active in their efforts 10 bring about
a different condition Of affairs here.