Imperial Valley press., 1909-09-25
EAGLES HALL BAR
 EvADES THE LAW Legality of Club Conducted by City Officials is
 Questioned
Plain Facts in the Case of the Saloon Foisted Upon Lodge by City Attor- ney and Two Trustees With Aid of Members From Other Cities.

Ordinance No. 1 of Imperial Coun- ty is a rigid prohibition law. It is effective outside of the incorporated cities. and in so far as it forbids tue sale of liquor it is sustained by pub lie opinion in the county. Each of the incorporated cities has nO-lcenSe ordinance more or less rigorous. There is no question that the people of lm- perial County and it's cities intended to forbid traffic in liquor under any pretence or subterfuge and to pro- hibit the establishment of saloons, op- enly or furtively conducted.
 The liquor ordinance of El Centro is less rigorous than the county ordi- nance and does not attempt to pro hibit citizen from keeping liquors, wine or beer in his house for his own use. It is ordinance No. 6, drawn by City Attorney M. w. Conkling and passed by City Trustees Pearson, Brown, Hamilton, Buttress and Pel- let Section 1 of the ordinance reads:
 Any person, firm or corporation, club or association, who within the city of El Centro establishes or keeps a place where spirituous, vinous, malt or mixed liquors are sold, furnished, distributed or given away in any quantity, or who, within the city of Fl Centro, either as owner, employe, agent or otherwise, sells any such li- quors or intoxicating drinks. except for the purposes herein specified, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."
 The exception is the sale of liquors by druggists on prescription for bona rie medical purposes.
 Section says: "Every person who lets, leases or rents any place to be used or permits the same to be used in violation of this ordinance shall be deemed guilty of misdemeanor." AL Marshal to seize and destroy liquors kept in such places if the owners re- fuse to abate the nuisance for five days after notice is served upon them.
 Yhe ordinance seems plain and un- eQuivocal. City Attorney Conkling said, when he presented it to the board of trustees, that it would be eff fective against blind pigs" and all other devices for evasion or violation of the law.
 City Attorney M. w. Conkling, May or H. B. Pearson, City Trustee J. c. Blackinton (vice Buttress, resigned) Albert Casner and others are, and have been since May 8, 1909, keeping a place where liquor is sold over bar. ]. C. Blackinton lets and permits to be used place for the sale of liquor contrary to the express terms of the ordinance. The place is part of the premises occupied by El Centro Aerie No 1859, of the Order of Eagles, in the Blackinton building The persons named operate under the title of the Eagles Hall Association purporting to be legally incorporated under the laws of California flor the purposes of building and maintainance of hall, gymnasium, reading room and social quarters for the use of it's members. " The bylaws provide that any member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles may become a member of the Association and that the directors shall be sub ject to the wishes and directions" of the Aerie
 Liquors are sold at retail to per sons having access to Eagles Hall. The proceeds or profits do not accrue to the Aerie. Members of the lodge say they do not know wnere the profits go, but presume that the bar is conducted for the pecuniary bene-