Los Angeles herald., 1910-01-05
The Liquor Question
Some Suggestions as to Much Needed
Changes In and Additions to the
Laws and Regulations Coz
erning the Sale of Liquor
in City OF Los Angeles

g8 HE HERALD believes that of the first matters
that should be taken up by the present city govern
for careful and thorough treatment is the regu-
aon of the liquor traffic in the city of Los Angeles No
attempt has been made by any government in this
city systematically go about the adoption OF complete
and carefully thought of laws for the regulation OF
this traffic. What attempt regulation has been made
has been spasmod and by pecemea The result is that
in many ways the legislation of the city controlling the
liquor traffic has not kept pace with the growth and de-
veopmen of the city and the best sentiment OF its citizens
AS the result of somewhat careful study of the liquor
traffic as conducted in this city and elsewhere and of reg
ulations which have been adopted by states and munich
paties to control this traffic. The Herald desires to submit
suggestions to the new city government
AS the retail dram shop, department OF the liquor
business is always the most important is to that depart
that first call attention.
The retail liquor business in this city was by regua
ons established in 1898 and in force, made pect-
ary favorable to those engaged in It, In that year ana
when the city had population OF probably 9oooo the po
lice commission adopted rule limiting the number OF
retail dram shop licenses in the city to- 2OO lhs rule
of the police commission afterwards given the orce
of law by the city council, and this number of reta or
dram shop licenses has been exceeded UNTIL W.
the annexation of San Pedro and Wilmington, fourteen
additional saloons brought into the city IN the ter
rory annexed and the total number of retail licenses
was thereby increased to 2l4 When this rule limiting the
number retail licenses zoo first adopted by the
police commission in 1893 the license fee charged retail
liquor dealers $50 per month and there was 40O pop
ulaon to each retail license At the present time the
population of the city of Los Angeles exclusive of the
arbor territory containing the fourteen additional retail
liquor licenses is certainly 32O0OO which would give an
average of 1000 of population to each retail license
also question that the value OF retail liquor license
the city Los Angeles is considerably increased by the
that the city is surrounded by important suburban
in which prohibition is in force thus competing
population much larger than that within the actual mu-
ncpal boundaries of the city to look to the liquor sellers
of the city for its supplies of the goods in which they deal
Notwithstanding the fact that the inhabitants of the
city increased by at least 500 cent since the rule
limiting the number of retail licenses was first adopted,
price of these licenses has only been increased o per
the average of inhabitants this city for each retail license
is something like 1000 while the licenses are $500 per
month"; as against an average of 400 inhabitants license
which the holders paying oO per month when the
zoo limitation was first adopted These figures suggest
that the city should at least double the present price OF
licenses That is that each retail liquor license at the
present certainly worth $500 per month with an
average population of 1000 license as same license
was worth $50 per month with average population OF
400 per license when the limitation of 2U was first adopted
considering the above figures there can 1t appears
be question that the city council should at once
increase the retail liquor license fee OF the city to OO per
month The fact that these licenses are initea 10
200 has given them very large value several times
within the past few years licenses have sold in the city
of Los Angeles for many thousands of dollars each
Another why these licenses should be increased
is that the city very much in need of large increase IN
police force The chief of police and police commission
have requested an increase of 100 the city of Los
Angeles and even with such increase granted the city
would still have fewer policemen compared to area to be
covered than any other municipality in the country
1t an indisputabe fact that the largest need tor police
regulation in city produced by the existence OF the
liquor business, with the evils which are nseparabe from
10 Os'J
lust that this business should be taxed substantial amount
to pay for the municipal expense which it imposes
Considering the great increase in population of the ty
since present license rate fixed, the conseq mt
large increase in the business which the cltys mlta OH
upon the number of retail licenses issued guarantees to
each holder of such license and the further obgat1n
which this class of business under to contribute to the
maintenance the police force the city, we do not be-
eve that would be the least injustice in raising the
present of the city of los Angeles to Szoo per
month On the contrary,swe think such raise would be
eminently fair.
On tomorrow The Herald will make some further sug-
gestons for changes in the liquor laws portion OF which
will work distinct but just advantage to the licensed re-
tail liquor dealer adopted They will however, work
much greater advantage to society and the cause OF de-
cency the city in protecting it from the evil influences
of class of unregulaed liquor dealers which has grown
up in this city under the form and name OF social clubs
Whatever advantage the licensed liquor dealer may reap
from the suggested changes in the laws will simply be
doing Justice the authorized by the city to engage
in that business and whose business the city is morally
bound to protect against unlicensed ndegal competition