The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-04-04
And If It Can, What Is a
 Bona Eide Club? Prosecutor Merritt Will Ask
 City Court to Rule Case in Point Relates to Raid on Old Charter Club. a Literary Organization, With Alcoholic Beverages son the Side.

Prosecuting Liquor Agent Albert J | Merritt caused consteUnation amons l-saloon keepers and promoters of tht l recently organized clubs in which in. toxfcants are dispensed when he made it known today that he proposed tc ask the city court for a ruling on the following questions:
 club.
 2. Whether a bona fide club may ir this state dispense liquors on Sunday
 Outlining his plan to a Farmer re- porter today, Attorney Merritt said that if the raid made at the quarters of the Old Charter club, 1179 Pembroke street, yesterday, afforded him an ex- cellent opportunity to find out just what attitude the court would take in this class of cases.
 There are over 60 clubs in this city now, said he, "Organized for the sole purpose of dispensing liquor on Sum a. club organized for the purpose of evading the law, cannot sell liquor on Sunday. It has ruled that an organi- zation that is not a bona fde club can on the question of whether a bona fde club may dispense liquor on Sun
 What want to know is is whether raided yesterday bona f1de organiza- tions, and if so whether such clubs have right to do business. It's a simple matter to incorporate a club. It costs about $25. The secretary of States fee is $12.5O, the town clerks fee for recording the certificate of in- corporation is s1 and the only other cost is that of the lawyer. I am con- vinced that these clubs are simply blinds, and that in nearly every case they are connected with saloons.
 We have the books of the Old Charter clubs here as evidence, and they show very plainly that the club did not have great amount of busi- ness. The records of the very first entry, Minutes of previous meeting ac- cepted' This Indicates that the minutes are copied from a set form, to my mind.
 gency as the raid of yesterday brought forth, Prosecutor Merritt has gathered a large number of decisions of Su- preIne courts in various. States which he will submit to the city court next Wedn nesday. when the raid cases of yesterday will be tried He dWells with particular emphasis upon a de- cision of the Supreme court of linn ois a. case of the State against the leading country club of Ch1cagoss mil lionaires. in which the court held that house on Sunday was just as illegal as it's sale in a saloon.
 The raid yesterday was made on issued by the prosecutor Ser
 
 Wagner and a squad of police sweep ed down on the club rooms. 1179 Penn broke street, and arrested John O,Mal- ley and Patrick Foley as keepers and Harry Sinonites, John J. Collins. Mi chaeI Reach, Michael Kelly and Daniel as freuuenters. Today the two alleged proprietors. charged with selling without a license. were held in bail oA $1On each and the alleged ire ul1enters were released on their own except Kelly. who was also charged with drunkenness and creach of the peace and was released n bail of $25. Kelly was unwilling to accompany the cops.
 The police and liquor prosecutor ex- oected that James Malone. whose Sa- oon is. in the immediate vicinity, would be arrested in the raid. but Ma oney was not on hand. The charter ,f the club, seized by the police. sets ;orth it's objects as ''to establish and | maintain a. library and reading room, | md suitable apartments for social in | ercourse" The club was incorporat- | d in May, last year, through Attorney | 3. O. Hull. Prosecutor Merritt says his conduct | towards all other clubs in the city in | he matter of selling liquors on Sun | lay will be guided by the decision of | he city court in this case. He is eady to go to the Supreme court with | he fight but he doesn't expect that | he defence is ready to carry the con est to such an extreme.
 There were IT men in the city court odav charged with drunkenness.