Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08
EYES Of LOCKER
CLUBS NOW ON
APPEALS COURT
Closing Of Rome's Model 0rgani-
zation as Nuisance Causes I'm
easy Feeling in Georgia,

Locker clubs throughout Georgia,
including those more fashionable and
exclusive social clubs that maintain
lockers Tor the accommodation of
their members, are looking forward
anxiously to the forthcoming ruling
from the State Court of Appeals, with
respect to a recent decision rendered
by Judge Moses Wright, Of the Rome
Superior Court Circuit.
The judge sustained an injunction
petition permanently against the Hill
City Club, upon the ground that tne
club in its method Of operation was
clearly a subterfuge provided for vio-
lations Of the State prohibition law,
and therefore might be closed as a
nuisance by any citizen asking for a
writ Of Injunction against It.
Such a proceeding was instituted by
the Rome Law and Order League
against the Hill City Club, and the
club has been closed accordingly.
Up to Appellate Court.
The ruling of the Superior Court
judge has been appealed. however, to
the Court of Appeals for review, and
upon the decision of that tribunal the
entire test of the case turns.
The Hill City Club has been main
tanning in good faith, so it contends, a
locker club. The liquors therein are
the individual property of the mem
bers, are ordered by the individual
members, and kept for individual
service.
These liquors are served from the
lockers by club attaches, and for the
service of the liquors the attaches are
paid fees by the members severally-
that is, when waiter serves Member
IA a drink or a bottle Of beer from
"A's" locker, he receives for that
service a check for two and one half
cents.
The judge held that the compensa-
ton of the attaches being dependent
upon the quantity of the liquor
served, the plan adopted by the club
for compromising the servers of the
drinks or the accommodating of a prof
it to the club from the dispensing Of
liquors amounted to an evasion OF
the prohibition law merely, and there
fore was Illegal.
"
settle, It will be seen readily enough,
is whether a social club maintaining
locker system may compensate the
help employed therein by service
checks, if the membership so elects,
rather than from some source of rev.
enue other than that arising. either
directly or indirectly. from the serv-
ing Of intoxicating drinks.
Another Nail Ready.
II the court holds that the plan
adopted by the Hill City Club is all
right, locker clubs throughout the
State will breathe easier. II it up
holds Judge Wright's view, however.
another nail will be driven in the I'D
which already sits pretty tight on
locker clubs in Georgia, so the mem
bers thereof say.
The Rome Law and Order League,
which brought about this issue Is
one Of the most unique organizat ions
in the State, and has had a history
Of rather remarkable effective and
aggressive activity.
Its first president was Seaborn
Wright Of Rome. the statewide pro-
hibition leader. and through him the
league closed several months ago ev-
cry social club in Rome maintaining
a locker He first moved against the
Elks, and by writ of injunction put
il out Of business.
When the Elks closed a round dozen
followed suit. and to-day there is not
a locker club in business in Rome.
There are no near-beer saloons, and
soda water is tabooed on Sunday. II
the lid is on tight anywhere on earth
II Is in Rome
few weeks ago. however, the Hill
City Club came into existence. OPP
era ting under a new plan. and for
time il did a f1ourishing business. Be
fore long however, the Law and Or
der League. through c. L. Wilker-
son. got on its trail, with the result
stated.
Clubs Stock confiseated.
II was closed under temporary in
function proceedings and its stock Of
liquors was confisCated. Later Judge
Wright made the injunction perma
nent and now nothing can bring the
club back to life, except a reversal
Of Judge Wright by some Court 0t
Appeals.
The service check plan, Outlawed
by Judge Wright's decision. is in OPP
Grafton in a majority of the locker
clubs Of the State. and the outcome
Of this case therefore is most vital
to them,