The Caucasian., 1909-10-28
PENALTY INFLICTED
ON THE VIOLATORS OF THE
PROHIBITION LAW.
MODERATE
Judge Bell Is Conservative but He Gave
Warning as to His Intent in the Flu
ture- Brewers Criticised - Authority
of City to Tissue Near-Beer Licenses
Questioned by the Court

Ever since their conviction, the violat-
ors of the law which prohibits the sale
of intoxicants in Caddo parish and in
Shreveport have awaited with more or
less anxiety the day of judgment which
was fixed for Wednesday. On that day,
in the forenoon, the District Court room
was crowded with some of the friends
and the sympathizers of the men con-
victed. There was much speculation as
to what Judge Bell would do, but as he
had. stated that he would have no fixed
penalty but would be governed by his
understanding of conditions, each Of
fender was hopeful of receiving some
consideration which would mitigate the
penalty upon him.
In the court room there were many
citizens who stand for law and order,
and of this number were noted those
who while not prohibitionists are firm
in their opinion that the saloon keeper
can enjoy no special right or privilege IN
treating with contempt the law which
must be enforced.
When the court had been opened reg
u1arly and the command ''come to order"
had been given, Judge Bell in his pre-
liminary remarks read the law which
would authorize him to inhict the full
penalty, fine of not more than $500 and
imprisonment at not more than six
months, but he was not so disposed.
The least punishment he could infict was
a fine of $Ioo and 80 days or both, but
he gave warning to the offenders in the
present cases that should they again
appear before him for such violation Of
the law that he would not fail to double
and to triple the penalty. He empha
sized the fact that under the law he
could impose a sentence of perpetual
Imprisonment for a fourth offense.
In this strain of admonition Judge
Bell announced that he had become
convinced that the law had been disre-
garded wilfully and in many cases by
combination who had arrayed them
selves against law and order.
Referring to the near-beer, so-called,
he said that from the evidence heard at
the trial of the cases and from the in
formation he had obtained personally,
it was not possible for such establish
ments to exist by the sale of near-beer,
which was not drinkable, and the sale
of which would not pay for the icing
| All such establishments were indicative
Of the violation of the law. He held
that one of the chief offenders, operat-
ing covert1y, were the breweries, who
encouraged the sale of their products
and when their victims were caught II
the meshes of the law, were left to theil
own devices and means to get out.
Referring to the license granted b.
the city to the sellers of so-called near.
beer, Judge Bell stated that he knew O
no authority which granted the city tn
power to issue such license, and the only
excuse which may be offered is that tn
city needs the revenue, but it was no
within his province to correct it, ant
must be sought elsewhere.
The closest attention was given t.
Judge Bells remarks, at the close o
which the convicted were called to tn
bar and sentenced as follows:
Henry Lindenbaum, counts, fine o
$500 and 90 days on roads; in defaul
of payment, 2 months additional.
Henry Sartini, 8 counts, fine of $50
and 8 months on roads; in default Q
payment, months additional.
II T. F. Watkins, 2 counts, fine Of SEQ
and 80 days in jail in default of pay
ment, 90 days additional.
George Joliff, one count, fine of SIC
and 80 days on roads; in default OF pay
ment, 80 days additional.
II E. w. Barber, q counts fine of SEQ
no sentence; in default of payment, {
days in jail
Joe Freed, counts, fine of $500 an
60 days on roads; in default of pa,
ment, 90 days additional.
| Ed Baughman, one count, fine of $It
and 80 days on roads; in default of pa,
nent, 80 days additional.
] Barney A'Brantes, 8 counts, fine
!. $500 and 8 months on roads; in defau
of payment, 4 months additional.
Perry Booze, negro porter, one cour
+ fine Of 500 and 80 days on roads;
default Of payment, SO days addition
IS Herman Klein, 2 counts, fine Of So
and months on roads; in default
Il payment. 8 months additional,
Il D. P. Logan, one count, fine OF 81
land 80 days on roads; in default Of pa