The Press., 1909-08-11
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vacation
 The W. N. Flynt Granite company have secured the contract for putting the foundation for the new block being built for A D Norcross
 A petition has been sent to the county commissioners, asking the board to lay out Oushman street. the bounds of which are in question. This interruption was brought about by the excavation of the land near by B J. Hughes, preparatory to the building of new block It is hoped that it vii bel satisfactorily arrange q so that the building can go on
 The cases against the proprietors of the three hotels in Monson for illegal keeping and illegal selling of liquor were heard in the district court in Palmer, the 2d. There were three complaints against each of the four defendants, and they were found guilty on all the counts John F.. O'Neil, for selling, was fined $50 each cn two counts and $75 for illegal keeping Edward J Hughes was fined $50 each on two counts for selling, and $75 for illegal keeping Fisk c Rogers was fined $50 each on two counts for selling and $75 for illegal keeping. Karl Kretchmar was fined $50 each OH two counts for sell. ing and $75 for illegal keeping The cases were all appealed aud $100 bail was furnished on each count Rev J M Gage, the complainant, who declincd to give the facts as to the prosecution until the cases were de- oided, was willing Monday evening to tell of his connection with the cases He said that he became interested in the conditions under which the liquor laws were being violated last year, There were many others who thought law enforcement desirable and a com mittee of 16, composed of the pastors and three mem bers of each of the four churches, was organized for that purpose The committee considered the situation repeatedly. but never got any results This year MT. Gage thought the matter ought not to be passed in the same manner Drunk enness on Sundays and holidays was so common as to indicate that there were violations. and he made some effort to satisfy himself as to whether any steps were being taken to bring bring about improvement He con cluded that nothing of that kind was bei'g 2 done, and decided to take the matter in hand himself. He com. municated with Guy O. Ham of the Massachusetts Anti Saloon league, and it was finally decided to send agents of the league here to work July 4 and 5 They came and did their work. as has been stated ir court. At the annual town meeting it was voted to leave the matter oi prosecuting for the illegal sale oi liquor in the hands of the seIectmen After evidence had been obtained therefor, MT. Gage saw two mem Der: of tile board of stltctmen and tolG them that he had obtained evidence @. He explained that he had no desire to take their work out of their hand and asked them if they cared tc prosecute on the evidence he had ob tained or whether they preferred tC have him do so. MT. Gage stated tC the seleetmen that he had no wish to involve them in anything of the sort against their wish They took the question into consideration, and later reported to him that they preferred to have him prosecute. MT Gage asked whether the board would, un. der those conditions, pay the expenses of the prosecutions from the money appropriated by the town. and he says MT. McCray and MT Stewart saiC they did not see any objection to sucf course. They did not positively state that the bill would be paid bJ the town. and MT Gage failed to sec Mr Stebbins, who was busy with hiE work on the highways Monday afternoon the board had a meeting and drew orders, amounting to about $189, for the expenses in the case. The points which have been of sc much interest have thus been cleared up. It appears that the selectmen had no knowledge of the work which was being done to obtain evidence until after it was done, and that until Monday they have not positively stated that they would or would not pay the costs Their decision to dc so, in view of the fact that the court has convicted tha defendants of viola tions of the law, is what would nat urally follow. ..