The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-04-15

been given a monopoly of the busi-
ness in Missouri Valley as a part of
the consideration in the deal
Heretofore and for number of
years, there were three saloons in
Missouri Valley. This spring fight
was made by the anti-saloon people
which developed into a sentiment
that was difficult to Judge as re-
CARDS which side the bulk of the pub
lie wished to register. A bitter feel
ing was aroused, however, before the
fight was over, the council finally
agreeing to issue licenses for two sa-
looms and accepting the proposition
of August Biercach to take out both
providing he was given a monopoly
of the business. In return he also
agreed to see to it that his places
were maintained on as high a level
as possible for such places to be con-
Quoted. And the floor walker is an
, idea growing out of the compromise.
Biercach employs a 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, which is from to 10 o'clock.
The men selected for the work are
supposed to possess exceptional quail
ifications in the matter of acquaint-
ance 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 requirements of the
mulct law are adhered to strictly.
| But there are other duties along the
same lines.
For example, there frequently come
along boys under age who think it is
smart to procure drinks at saloons,
and later, sometimes, make the sa.
| loonist sweat blood for it. Any young
man trying such game upon either
of the Missouri Valley saloons at the
| present time, and even the young
man with a thirst and an honest de.
sire to quench it had better take
, along his birth certificate if his gen.
eral appearance is against him.
Conveniently at hand are kept
blank affidavits. If 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 q
witness to the fact that he is of age
in which event he is granted the usu
al courtesies of the place. The aft
davit is expected to prevent big lot
of trouble. Again the floor walker is
called in the case of a customer who
has imbibed previously to the exten
that his condition is the least wob
bly, and men known as common
drunkards are barred from the start
No loud talking, no swearing or sing
ing is permitted. In time schoo
Of department is regarded as a no
altogether likely adjunct to thi
model saloon, say some of the old
timers.
The expense of the floor walker
is borne entirely by the saloonist
: His expense for license for the tw
| PioSNo 10 P1Io pei liOhthJ Inc odlu
; revenue that was obtained by tn
city from the three places heretofor
in existence. The increase in revc
nue. is another feature voluntaril
agreed to by Biercach in lieu of hi
being granted a monopoly Of tn
business.
Notwithstanding the extra prov
sions and precautions that are throw
around the saloon proprietors, Bic
i each says that it pays, and the PEI
pie of the city are agreed with hin
No more model saloons are to b
y found in the state, and as the ba
J. ance of Harrison county, without 81
looms, is more or less jealous an
watchful, there is no likelihood
there occurring any lapse in the d
u gree of care that is being taken
protect the saloonist and the citizen
II Biercach is looking to the future
5 well as the present, and the entil
; solution, unique though it be, is loo
L ed upon as a profitable way out of
S situation.