Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-03-07
SUPREME COURT
RULES CLUB MAY
SERVE LIQUORS
NO LICENSE REQUIRED Is
DECISION
HISTORIC RAID BY WooLWlNE
RECALLED
Highest Tribunal In State Reverses
Decision of Lower Bench and
Finds for Los Angeles
Organization

NAN FRANCISCO, March 6.-Th'
supreme court today handed down
~ a decision in favor of the Califor-
MIA club of Los Angeles in appeal which
had been taken from the lower cours,
which had enjoined the club from sell
ing liquors of any kind to members or
their guests.
While the club is located in Los An
geles. the case had attracted wide at
tention because of the matter Oh cruz
rights which were involved.
The decision just rendered allows
full freedom in the dispensation OF
liouor and without the club being
compelled to pay a tax to the city gov
ernment, it being held that the mum
cipality under the charter has no right
to Interfere with the management so
long as it is conducted as a bona nae
club.
The courts Interpretation of the law
is that under a suit of similar charac-
ter. with the decision adverse, any ono
who in his own home should serve IN
toxicating drinks to his guests would
be liable, and that in order to serve
liquors at his own home in quantities
of less than five gallons he would De
compelled to take out license.
The ruling regarding this case re-
calls the spectacular raid made on the
exclusive California club some time
ago. when Thomas Lee Woolwine. then
city prosecuting attorney. headed q
squad of policemen under the COM
mand of Lieutenant Dixon entered the
club and took possession of the buf-
fet.
The crusade against clubs selling
liquor to it's members was begun by
Mr.. Woolwine shortly after his APP
pointment to office. At that time he
was a member of the University club
and one of its directors. The club re-
fused to take out a license and Mr..
Woolwine resigned from the d1rec-
torate so that he could prosecute the
club for the alleged violation.
Finally most of the clubs voted on
the matter. and then 1t was decided to
make test of the law. Mr.. Woolwine
notified the clubs that they must get
license or cease selling liquor.
California Club Fights
Following this notice some of the
clubs closed their buffets. Tht Cali
forrha club was not of this number,
however. and after laying his plans
Mr.. Woolwine at the head of the police
entered the place one afternoon while
the club members were sitting at ease
and demanded admittance to the buf-
fet.
TWO bartenders, VINO were IN lne
buffet at the time, were placed under
arrest for selling liquor without a
license and the stock at the bar con-
fiscated and hauled to the police sta
tion. H
Then 1t was decided to test the law
and James Gunner, director of the
club. brought a friendly suit against
the club. In his suit Gunner alleged
that he was an interested person, and
as the club charter was endangered his
interests were jeopardized.
Because nearly all of the superior
court judges are members of various
clubs. Judge Ewing of Ventura was
brought to this city to try the case.
He decided against the club.
The attorneys for the club appealed
the case to the supreme court and
Judgment in favor of the club was rem
dered yesterday.