The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1910-08-10
LIQUOR LICENSES
COST S40,O0O,OOO


over $4O,0OO0OO in the large cities
of the United States to pay license
fees and then some more. The extent
to which the drinking men help to
pay the expenses of government in the
cities is indicated by a census report
covering the finances of the country
for the year 1908 in the cities having
population of 10000 or more. There
were at that time 1853 of such cities,
but the complete figures were avail
able for only ISL of them, and the
figures showed that in those places
the license in the drinking places paid
an aggregate of of SAL ,95O,1SS.
This was a gain of almost $9,000000.
from the preceding year and of about
100000 of the year 1905. The
increase was due to the large fees ex-
acted by most of the large cities. OF
the drinking places sanctioned by law
there are no fewer than 67,131. This is
a decrease within three years of about
1000. The falling off was due large
ly to the fact that a number of cities
went dry" Of the 1853 places twenty
four had become "no-license" cities
when the canvas was made. The
change was most marked in the South
Atlantic States and least in the Rocky
mountain regions.
The states claiming the largest
number of saloons to the population
were Texas, Wisconsin and New York,
while Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and
Nebraska claimed the smallest num-
Der in proportion to the people to be
supplied. Galveston had one licensed
bar to every 1873 of her people, Milwau-
kee one to every 141 and Hoboken one
to every IT'S. In Philadelphia, the
freest Of large cities, there, was one
drinking place to only every 75S peo'
pie. Lincoln, Neb., had one to every
2O2S.
The report shows many other inter-
yesung fact concerning municipal
finances, including the total receipts
of the 1853 cities in question which for
1908 were $1,28S,625,4 9S. This figure
was made up from tax receipts, bow
rowed money and refunds. OF the total
amount $5O0,905,4 Ala was borrowed.
Liquor licenses and taxes formed
more than 10 per cent of the general
revenues in the cities of Ohio and
more than 10 per cent in the cities of
California, New York city received
B7 ,297 300; Chicago. $7,2526S7, and
Philadelphia $1,969,459 from this
source. The only other cities deriv-
ing more than $1,O00,000 from liquor
licenses were st. Louis, Boston, Cleve-
land, San Francisco and Cincinnati.
49,. -. - - ~":'>"'>O
tegun with varying force in different
industries. Values had been declin-
ing. and it is generally recognized
that industrial interests Of the coun-
try must face some REIMBURSEMENT.
This process is unpleasant while 1t
continues, but will in the end leave
both commercial and industry upon
sound and stronger basis. The reac-
ton which began in stocks must ex-
tend more or less into other divisions
of business. In all probability the
stock market has fully discounted
any industrial depression. This is
so regarding the railroads at least,
for the latter having various resources
always suffer less in business depres-
sion ihan individual industries. More
over. the railroads are confidently
looking forward to permission from
the Interstate Commissioners to adj
vance fieight rates later on.
As for the political outl1ok, that is
still unsettled. The fall campaign
is Just beginning and may develop
distributing influences. At the same
time both Government officials and 10.
cal politicians are beginning to learn
that blind attacks upon capital are
quite likely to injure their own pros
poets as well as those of their party.
/ There has been a decided toning down
of hostility towards corporations,
which betokens more rational treat
lllCllb VI JIG lelNlCA III INC luluIbs
The market has now had a sharp
rally and On any further advance tho
taking of profits would be in order.
the big banking interests are show
ing more confidence in the future and
seem willing to express their belief in
the general soundness of the present
financial situation. though not inclined
to support any prolonged bull move
ment. In such quarters the present
situation as to the business and crop
outlook is we'll understood, and no
disposition is shown to finance any
great stock market activity until the
monetary and political outlook IS
clarified. So far as Wall Street is
concerned the outlook has improved,
and the indications point to a much