Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-02-19
NEW DEAL IN SALOONS
Floor Walker Employed in
Drink Palaces in Missouri
Valley
eouNcER, ORDER PREsERvER
FIRST Trial of System That Seems to
Accomplish Object of Securing
"ModeI" saloons-one Man Given
Monopoly of Business on Promise to
Obey Every Point Of Law.
cial to Tines Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Missouri Valley. Feb 19.-The latest
wrinkle In the up-todate Iowa saloon
is a thirst parlor with a floor walker.
two of such places having been estap-
lished and are now in full operation in
Missouri Valley, and, 50 far as report
ed. the only saloons sporting such a
fril in the state.
The floor walker is the outcome of a
spirited crusade upon Harrison county
saloons. all of which were put out Of
business except the two here, and tho
latest adjunct is in the nature of i
compromise condition developing from
the saloon fight 1t is intended to be
mutually profitable and bids fair TO
prove its worth, albeit a trif!e expen-
sive to the saloonist The latter ind-
vidllal. however. in this case can tell
the public of compromising circum-
starces having been given monopoly
Of the business in Missouri Valley as \
part of the consideration in the deal.
How 1t Happened.
Heretofore and for a number of
years there were three saloons in
Missouri VALLEY This spring a fight
was made by the anti saloon people
which developed sentiment that was
difficult to Judge as regards which side
the bulk of the public wished to be reg
istered. A bitter feeling was aroused,
however, before the fight was over. the
council finally agreeing TO issue IL
censes for two salons and accepting
the proposition of August Biercach
to take both providing he was given Il
monopoly of the business. In return he
also agreed to see to it that his places
were maintained on as high level as
possible for such places to be con-
Quoted And the floor walker is an Id "a
growing out of the compromise.
Floor Men Are Versatile.
Biercach employs man for each of
his saloons. They are in addition to
the regular bartenders and are on duty
all the time that the saloons are open.
The men selected for the work are sup
posed to possess exceptional qualifica-
tions in the matter of acquaintance
with the people of the county, their
family connections, habits and previous
history. In general way the men who
hold daily espionage over the saloons
are expected to see to it that the re-
quirements of the mulct law are nd
hered to strictly. But there are other
duties along the same lines.
For example there frequently somes
along boys under age who think it IS
smart to procure drinks at saloons. and
later sometimes. make the saloonist
sweat blood for it. Any young man
trying such a game upon either of the
Missouri Valley saloons at the present
time would have hard time, and even
the young man with thirst and an
honest desire to quench it had better
take along his birth certificate if his
general appearance is against him.
Affidavits as to Age.
Conveniently at hand are kept blank
affidavits. If a controversy arises over
the question of age and the applicant
for liquor insists that he is Of age. the
floor walker steps in and politely asks
the prospective customer to prove it.
He is asked to sign the affidavit and
To secure a witness TO the fact that he