New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-04-18
IN NO WAY A DRY SUNDAY
5aynor'S Excise Plan Leaves
Gases in the Desert.
BIG TRADE I'M REAR ROOMS
Obstacles TO Free View of Bars
Were Removed, but Bars
Were Abandoned.

w
An advocate OF personal liberty. with
q capacity 10 back Il up started from
the Battery yesterday morning 10 prove
that Mayer Gaynor's plan for the en-
forcenlent OF the excise Law was no more
effective than we're measures formerly In
use so far as getting liquid refreshment
went In each place he visited he an
nounced that he was going 10 take
drink in every saloon that he could find
open. one block north Of Brooklyn
Bridge he found the burden Of the load
he had collected too great TO carry fur
Their and lay down in a convenient door
way.
IL was Park Row that finished him.
This thoroughfare he found wide open,
and many Of the bartenders who served
him had interesting stories TO tell OF his
adventures. Down on the North River
waterfront. one Of them said, he ran into
ship news reporter. who by all the
traditions Of the craft should know
where thirsty man could get a drink on
Sunday. Together they started out. but
after visit 10 several saloons had about
arrived al the conclusion that the imme-
date neighborhood was dry. when they
met q saloonkeeper known TO the re-
porter.
Upon telling him their tale OF woe he
volunteered to satisfy their craving for
liquor, and led them by a devious route
10 tenement house in a side street.
Mounting two flights OF stairs. they en-
tered a room full Of men. smoke and
beer kegs. A single bartender was hav-
ing the time Of his life trying to keep
up with the rush Of trade. This condi-
greater city.
Moist Districts Numerous.
Park Row was an oasis in the desert
OF lower Manhattan Island. but north of
the City Hall conditions became proper
tionately more moist with the nOrtherly
trend OF the observer. The districts
known as -Corcoran's Roost," "Paddy's
Market" Little Africa" 'Helfs
Kitchen" and Gas House" were any
thing but dry. Tenth avenue north Of
84th street and Eighth avenue from
llOth street to the Polo Grounds kept
pace with the weather.
Few patrolmen were 10 be found in
the neighborhood OF the saloons, and
whether il was because Of the rain or
Mayor Gaynor's new plan the absence
OF the usual throng OF hangers-on was
noted. Even along the Bowery the side
walks were clear. and there were few
signs Of drunkenness seen in the streets
Front doors were bolted and the major
ity Of bars were empty. as could be seen
plainly from the sidewalk. practically all
obstacles to an unrestricted view Of the
places having been removed.
The Ginning Of cash registers. how
ever. revealed the face that rushing
business was going on in the back rooms
In several places new faces appeared
above. the white aprons OF the walters
and bartenders, and it was limited that
when the police descended with their
warrants about next Wednesday or
THURSDAY they viii have considerable
difficulty in finding the men for whom
the warrants were issued. Hardly sa
loon on the East Side, from 14th TO 42d
street. had it's regular bsrtenders and
walters on duty yesterday. and il was
said that these men viii be shifted 10
other saloons next Sunday.
oidtirne "cromlers" Barred.
such pastimes as rushing the grow
Ter" the can" and chasing the duck
were frowned upon by the majority OF
saloonkeepers. A pail Of beer surrounded
by a paper bag. was a rarity yesterday,
for the dealers had decided 10 take no
chances. Satchels with tin Innings and
pals draped with black cloth We're con-
sidered legitimate by the bartenders. In
some sections OF the city those who want
ed TO buy their beer in bulk were ad-
rnittcd to the basement Of the saloon and
sent their receptacle upstairs on the
dumbWaiter. ~
Except for the districts noted, Man
haitian was the dr+est, in proportion to
sts population. Of the five boroughs. il
The Bronx conditions were practically
the same as when Cunningham and
Keenan, were active in the crusades
which brought about their dismissal
from the Police Department in Brook
iyn. where Deputy Commissioner Reyn-
olds had sent out an order 10 the sa-
loonkeepers 10 keep their bars exposed
q the view Of persons in the street. in
spite Of the fact that Commissioner Baker
had revoked IL, the order was almost
universally obeyed, 10 the large increa Sc
IL the back room trade. Queens dealers
maintained a rigid inspection cf pros
pcctive customers. but a sufficient num-
her managed TO get by 10 make the ID y
SHOW profit
The Tenderloin was the prize section
of the day, from the viewpoint Of sup
porters of closed Sunday II was diff
ficult 20 get q drink except in hotel
Only = small percentage Of the saloons
had their back doors open, and even I,
such places as were In commission thu
uuinitiated could not obtain entrance
Drinks were served over improvised bars
from kegs set UP on sawbucks.
Fight Over PLANS Merits.
There were many discussions on tho
point Of closing the saloons, and over IN
Williamsburg two men were taken 10 q
hospital Tor treatment after an encounter
in which The merits Of the present system
Nere not settled 90 the satisfaction OF
al Tzvo-M Nile Wall in Every Boae.