Evening journal., 1912-05-21
HAWKINS
is AFTER
O.C.PURDY
Files Protest Against Board
of Trade Head Recommend
Ing Liquor License
FORMAL COMPLAINT SENT
TO BOARD OF DIRECTORS

o c. Purdy. president OF the Will
mington Board of Trade. has com
mitted the indiscretion OF sending to
Judge Rice Of this county a letter. as
president of the Board OF Trade, re-
commencing that a license to sell
liquor be granted to James II. Kane
William r Hawkins, head OF the real
estate firm of Hawkins and Co. No
712 Market street. sent to the board
Of directors Of the Board Of Trade to-
day letter protesting against Pur-
dys action and it is thought the di-
rectors will take 1T up at their next
meeting.
The Purdy letter. Of which the fol-
lowing is the full text, shows that he
not only wrote il upon the stationery
Of the Atlantic Refining Company but
also signed himself, 20. c. Purdy.
President Wilmington Board of
Trade Inquiry made by Mr. Haw-
kins disclosed the fact that neither
the Board OF Trade nor its directors
ever authorized him to take such a
/ precedent. The full text of the Purdy
letter is as follows
"THE ATLANTIC REFINING co.
20. C. Purdy.
Wilmington. Del, May II. 1912.
The Hon. Herbert l.. Rice, Esq,
Ford Bldg.
Honorable Sir: We have suffered
for a long while for the want OF a
good flrst-class high-grade grocery
store IN the city OF Wilmington, where
one could get the very best goods al
reasonable prices and believe that
Mr. James II. Kane intends 10 keer
that character of store, IN addition 70
the handling Of the best wines and
liquors in a Wholesale way.
II have known Mr.. Kane for a
number Of years and know him TO b'
perfectly reliable and a good citi.
zen and think he will cater 70 tn
wants Of the people in this city.
! This letter is without solicitation
/ and Vt Is my desire that he shoul
have the privilege Of your Court, /
! consistent with your views I remain
Respectfully.
(Signed) 20. c. Purdy.
President. Wilmington Board o
, Trade"
I This is the letter Of protest which
! Mr.. Hawkins sent to the Board Of
Trade directors yesterday
May 21. 1912.
I'm re James H. Kane Liquor IL
!, cense."
! ITO the Board of Director of III,
! Wilmington Board of Trade.
Wilmington. Delaware.
Gentlemen Enclosed find COPY o
, letter bearing the signature of o. c
! Purdy, president of the Board d
Trade, which was presented TO IN,
Court of General Sessions on Satur
day last by Hon Herbert l.. Rice As
sociate Judge. which letter is self ex
planatory
IF the directors Of the Board o
Z Trade intend 10 place themselves or
J record and stand sponsor for the ne
! farious traffic in poisonous liquors fol
2 beverage purposes or approve of thi
b. attitude Of President Purdy IN issuing
: such letters as the enclosed then
! believe the usefulness of the Boarl
I Of Trade as a representative body II
= this city Is at an end. as many Of th'
4 members Of the Board Of Trade TO m.
I personal knowledge are strenuousl.
2 opposed TO the granting of liquor II
Z censes and should not be made to ap
T. pear as favoring them by any officia
acts Of its president Il is assumini
a wrong attitude on such questions
This letter. as | understand IL. wa
never authorized by theBoard ofTrad
OF it's Board of Directors at any regu
lar or special meeting. does not bin
its members and should certainly nc
!. have been issued over the signature @
= its President Unless some action
taken looking 10 the immediate with
drawal Of this letter and the repudia
a tion OF its contents, I will be unde
: the necessity of Withdrawing froI
y membership in the Board Of Trade
n consider IL a severe arraignment an
a criticism Of the large and exceller
L grocery stores which we have in ou
n midst, many Of the proprietors
which are representative members
r the Board Of Trade. II was entirel
IA uncalled for. to say the least
Is yours very truly.
VIM. r. Hawkins"