The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-04-23
License For Way1eWs
Annex" HoteP' Held Up

Members OF the council committee
on liquor regulation took of their
coats when they tackled the 1900 or
more applications for liquor licenses,
Monday morning. The net result OF
fusal of four applications, the holding
In allegiance of five others, some OF
which will be denied and the grant
ing of approximately so licenses.
A movement has started among the
aldermen which may result In char
ter amendment creating an excise
commission to pass on the HONOR
licenses, some OF the aldermen going
SO far as to predict that this will be
the last year when the work will be
handled by the committee.
Since the applications were filed
there has been tremendous amount
OF political influence brought to bear
on the aldermen for the renewal OF
certain licenses; they have been pull
ed and hauled until many of them
say they are tired and disguised with
the whole matter. II came to the at
tention of some Of the members OF
the committee, Monday, that certain
persons have actually solicited money
from saloonkeepers, representing that
they have influence sufficient to get
the council to grant licenses.
AN excise commission to pass on
these licenses would be God-send to
the council" said Chairman Ellis. 1T
is too much to ask the aldermen to
pass on these licenses every year.
Political influences are always
brought to bear and 1t would be bet
ter to have the whole thing teken out
Of the hands of the council"
Aid. John Garvey, member of the
committee, had this to say about the
matter: II strongly advocate an excise
commission to be appointed by the
mayor and be non-political and an
honorary office. The members would
consult with the police commissioner
and hold a meeting every two weeks
to consider the applications for trans
fers as they are made. They could
also devote more time every year 70
the renewals. II Is eventually coming
to that; the system we now have Is
entirely wrong"
1T would probably work out all
right" said Aid. Vernon, but We must
not forget that the same influences
that are brought to bear on the alder
men now, would be brought to bear
on the excise commission"
Controller Heineman Is In favor OF
the project. He would have the COM
mission removed from politics and
neither saloon interests nor prohibi-
tionists recognized on the board
Heineman would have the police COM
missioner a member OF the commits
sion.
One of the first applications to be
considered by the board was that OF
Herman Wartell, proprietor of the
notorious Annex hotel who wished
to transfer his license to David Kauf-
man. The Annex, at Nos. 6.S Clinton
ST., has been marked for the axe as
having an unsavory police record. but
the plan OF Wartell and Kaufman is
to keep alive the business by Wartell
stepping out In favor of Kaufman.
The committee held up the applica-
ton for further consideration.
Ralph Treppa, having a saloon at
No. 1011 Dubols-st., withdrew in favor
OF Anthony NJ. Treppa, and the IL
cense was renewed in the latter's
name. The application of George F.
Doherty to succeed David Kiley in
the saloon at No. so Clinton-st. was
also held up. The saloon is across
from the Jail. The application OF
John Tomczak for a license to con-
tinue at No. 452 Farnsworth-st was
held up until the committee could In
vestigate the location OF the place
and the circumstances.
Barney ZabaWsk wanted 10 trans
fer his license to do business at No.
500 Ferry-ave. east to Martin Bracis.
zewski. The committee held up the
application on the ground that Ia
bawsh was twice convicted OF violat-
ing the liquor laws.
Nelson Labadie and Charles w.
McCauley applied for a license TO
open a saloon at No $50 Chene-st.
The place Is now closed because the
prosecutor revoked the license for
merly held by Albert Sass. The ap-
plication was denied
J Aid. Tossy appeared to speak for