Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08
Closing of ROme's Model 0rgani-
zation as Nuisance Causes Un-
easy Feeling in Georgia.
SERVICE CHECKS HELD VOID
Ruling Is That This Is Simply an
Evasion of State Law, and
Closing Order Issues.

Locker clubs throughout Georgia
including those more fashionable and
exclusive social clubs that maintain
lockers for the accommoda 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 the
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 ii
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
hers, 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 a waiter serves Member
"A" a drink or a bottle Of beer from
AS" locker, he receives for tina.
service a check for two and one hall
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 accumulat ting Of a prof
il to the club from the dispensing OF
liquors amounted N an evasion Of
the prohibition law merely. and there
fore was Illegal
The point for the court of review to
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.
If the court HOLDS that the plan
adopted by the Hill City Club is all
right, locker clubs throughout the
State will breathe easier. II II up-
holds Judge Wright's view, however.
another nail will be driven in the lid
which already sits pretty tight on
locker clubs in Georgia. so the mem
beers thereof say.
The Rome Law and Order League.
which brought about this issue. is
one Of the most unique organizations
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
It out of business.
When the EIks 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
il is in Rome.
A few weeks ago, however. the Hill
City Club came into existence. op-
Grating under a new plan. and for q.
time it did a fourishing 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 Confscatsd.
II was closed under temporary in
junction proceedings and its stock Of
liquors was ConhsCated. Later Judge
Wright made the injunction perma-
nent and now nothing can bring the
club back to life. except reversal
OF Judge Wright by some Court IF
Appeals.
The service check plan. outla We )
by Judge WriEht'> decision. Is in ou-
GRAFTON In a majority Of the locker
clubs Of the state. ana the outcome
of this ease therefore IS most vital
- Lh-m.