Evening journal., 1912-08-27
SPEAK EASY
CHARGE FAILS
Court DiSmiSSeS Johnson and
AyarS, But Walters Wave
Hearings
COULD NOT CONNECT
TWO WITH THE SALES

William j. johnson and william W
Ayars, the latter colored. charged
with selling intoxicating liquors with
out license following raid on
Sunday at the headquarters of the
Citizens Republican League in John
sons flats, Ninth and Walnut streets,
we're dismissed by Deputy Judge oJs-
iyn in City Court today. The men
were arra.gned with Richard Ryder
and William p. Miller, walters, who
waived a hearing ror the Court OF
General Sessions and were held un-
der $500 bail.
johnson was represented by Lii
burne Chandler and Philip L. Garrett
appeared as counsel for Ayars. John
Brown, of Camden, n. J.. told of buy
ing dozen bottles of beer at the
place on Sunday He paid a nickel
for a membership card he said, and
neither Johnson nor Ayars sold him
the beer. Joseph Lewis, Of Newark,
Del, said he was not member of
the club, although he bought four
bottles of beer there. At this Mr.
Garrett objected, saying a corpora
ton was not responsible for the al
legged criminal acts of its officers and
the men on trial could not be tried
except as individuals.
George Warner of Camden, n. j.,
corroborated Browns testimony. All
the witnesses admitted seeing John
son walking about the building.
Sergeant McDermott. who led the
rad, told Of watching Johnson ad-
hitting people to the building and
afterwards he and the officers enter
ed as several women left the build
ing. The officer identified the il
cense found IN the Place and also
stated that there were twenty-siS
cases of beer and much whiskey In
the house. He testified that Ayars
was not caught in the building
Pressed by Mr.. Garrett, McDermott
said he had not tasted the liquids ir
the bottles and while he believed i
70 be beer. he could not swear TO II
being such.
The officer said that when he de,
manded hat the doors Of the club b,
opened Johnson came to the window
and then ran 10 a small closet which
he entered and barred the door. Late
he came out and was arrested.
Assistant City Solicitor Lynn theI
called William P. Miller. a waiter, L
prove what position the defendant
held in the club, but it was stated b,
the court that the club was not OF
trial but that johnson as an individ
ual was. Mr. Lynn then asked for
continuance of the case until tomor
row. as one witness who would prov
that Johnson did sell liquor TO a man
was absent The court refuse
this request and dismissed the case
Ayars was also dismissed as he wa
not present at the time the sale G
liquor is said to have been made.
John Rhoades. colored. who's
house No. I'LL Walnut street, wa
raided on Sunday by Officer Morrow
was charged with selling intoxicatin
liquors without a license and wa
represented by James Salisbury. NJ
Salisbury contended that the court
had held that one sale of beer is nc
considered a VIC alton of the law, an
he was given until tomorrow to prov
this. William Banks, of Philadel
phia, testified that he bought two boi
ties of beer from Rhoades for twent
cents. Rhoades, he said gave hir
whiskey and gin for nothing. In hi
own behalf Rhoades said he wa
drinking and d d not remember sci
ing beer 10 Banks.