The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1913-03-17
McDonald's Opinion Not General

The opinion that the principal
business OF the Bemidji saloons is to
separate the lumberjack from his
"roll'' and that the sooner it is done
the better which was credited to "A.
b. Mcdonald OF Bemidji, in the St.
Paul Pioneer Press, will not stand as
the general sentiment of the other
citizens OF Bemidji. The further
statement credited to him that a rou-
lette wheel is the best method OF do
ing the separating is equally obnox-
ious.
For years Bemidji has been trying
to get away from this sort OF a repu-
tation but no sooner are the people
OF the cities and the southern part Of
the state awakened to the fact that
we have a progressive city here than
some misguided person tells of our
thirty-four saloons and lumberjack
trade. Their business is largely that
Of separating the lumberjack from
his roll,' the Press prints as Mr. Nc
Donald's statement. Is there even
saloon man in this city who will
stand back of that statement?
The Pioneer believes that it is
within the facts when it maintains
that a majority OF the people want
the Nelson bill to pass. If the bill
does the number Of saloons here will
be cut to eleven or twelve. The loss
in revenue will be quickly made up
by higher licenses. 1t is impossible
to get fewer saloons here now for the
council cannot see where the line
should be drawn in cutting the num-
Der down. 1t is impossible to get a
higher license for there are SO many
in that business that they must go
the limit and beyond to even make a
profit on $500 license.
The passage of the Nelson bill will
mean that Bemidji will be freed by
the state from condition which has
long been fought from the inside and
which at this time is still with us.
Inquiry refuses to reveal who IS. J..
Donahue' may be but the statement
credited to him by the Journal that
lit would be impossible for the small
er cities to adjust their affairs, if the
bill is passed" is without foundation.
Bemidji wants that bill passed and is
thoroughly capable of caring for her
self under it's provisions.
When business which would make
fair income for eleven saloons,
without the necessity of law VIOLA
tons, is divided between thirty-four
it is impossible for all the owners to
make a living and stay within the
strict Interpretation of the law. Fur
thermore, the thirty-four are such a
drain on the resources of the city that
retail credits today are in a worse
shape than ever before in the history
OF the city.
The present council has had op-
portunity many times to raise the
license and then cut the number of
saloons to a point where the proper
ton would be but one to every 500
population. 1t has not done so and
the only relief in sight appears to be
the passage by the legislature of the
Nelson bill.
The only regrettable feature of the
bill is that it will make all licenses
expire as soon as their year is up un-
til the last eleven are left. This might
wipe out some so-called respect
able saloons. The council could
overcome this objection, however, by
refusing to grant renewals to GER
tain saloons and allow one of the bet
ter ones to resume business in it's
place. The worst the law could do,
then, would be to keep one or two of
the better class saloons out of bust
ness for month or so. +.