The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
Once Made Occasion for
Great Contention.
SOME WILD TALK is HEARD
Judge Says He Will Make Docu.
ulents Public When Difficult
Task Is Complete.
Saloon List Announced, and

II room crowded to the point of,
svToeation yesterday morning. Judge
Samuel &. Witt, of the Hastings Court,
read ,ae list of new liquor licenses, his
xotcs sounding to the anxious crowd
ike The death warrant of more than
serenity unsuccessful applicants. while
II contained a satisfying and tension
relieving note for the l45 more fortu-
nate persons who for the sum of $500
esch have now secured permission to
retail wines and other ardent liquors in
Richmond for one year from May list.
Those who went down al the finish
have until that date to dispose of
their stock and get ont of business.
and the police with some faint concern
make predictions of auction sales and
scenes oil high revelry between this
time and the closing day The saloons
have been on their best behavior for
the past few weeks, while their charac-
ter has been under the inspection of the
court. and few arrests have been made
for causes that could properly be laid
at the doors of the bars.
Five Held Buck.
But AS names appeared in the list
read from the bench by Judge Witt.
the court reserving five cases on which
he expects to get further ..ght, or 10
grant hearings to persons who wish to
speak either for or against the pro-
posed licenses. While these five Were
not announced, il is believed that the
number includes the Rathskellar, at
lakewood, for which application was
made by Mr.. Andrew Pizzini. Jr., and
To which there has been some objec-
ton. A considerable humber of per-
sons have petitioned for this license,
however. Licenses to the two saloons
at Se.enth and Broad Streets-Robert-
sons and Doyle's-are held back until
the court can hear from citizens who
Use the Northside troleys, and who
object to saloons on the corner where
ladies have TO stand when awaiting
the cars TO their homes. Puccinelli. ut
Eighteenth and Main. and AIcDonoueh
at 1901 West Broad, who expects TO
move shortly; are also said to be ON
the deserved list for some further IN
vestigatton; both will probably receive
their licenses unless more serious OBJ,
lection is made.
Storm of Complaints.
AS was expected, and freely stated
tho reading of the list brought forth
q perfect storm of complaints and
charges, hardly any one apparently
being satisfied except the lucky l4i
citizens. who had sense enough to &C
home and say nothing, Every ether
citizen in town, however seems to
have q comment OF some sort. Either
a saloon has been licensed right under
his nose, in a most objectionable man
ner, or else he has to walk six blocks
to get his appetizer in the morning
both classes being bitter in their de-
nunciation of the judge and the Pc
lice Commission, who made up the
list. Between the judge and the com
mission. 1t is said, there is not alto
gether harmony, though nnbolY seems
willing to talk for publication. Men,-
hers of the commission aye not back
ward, however, in saying that the Judge
took little notice Of their recommenda-
tons, licensing some satoons TO which
they objected and cutting out others
The commission realizes that 1t was
called in only for consultation, ant
that the issuance of the licenses las
with the Judge, who had perfect righ
to disregard their advice entirely 4
he saw fit
Judge Witt himself said last nigh
that he had followed the commission
list quite closely, and that when thu
other i've names had been selected
and the list had been completed, hi
would not object 10 the publication o
the recommendations OF the Police
Board. Discussing his work, the judge
said that II was one of the most diff
cult tasks lie had ever attempted,
THE first 100 selected from the list
OF applicants was easy enough" sait
the Judge The next twenty-five add.
ed to the license list was more difficult
and the last twenty gave me more trou,
BILE than all the others combined"
The Judge said he had given severa
weeks of study to the problem, ant
had devoted days OF inquiry to indi
yidual cases.
unfortunates in Uproar.
Among the unfortunates there 4
one long continuous roar. Many q
the dealers claim that there was n.
complaint against their places; tina
they ran as orderly and quiet a bust
ness as many on the preferred lisl
There is much talk of legal steps t
test the constitutionality OF the Dab
ncy law, on the ground Of unwarrant
ed discrimination, but so Far no cun
rerted action has materialized Til
Liquor Dealers Association las eyincc
no desire up TO this time 10 take tn
matter to the courts, and MAORI,
of It's most active members were su,
ressful in their applications, III
brewers and Wholesale liquor houst
Fan hardly be counted on for much a