The Chitina leader. [volume] (Chitina, Alaska) 1910-1928, 1913-05-06
cURTA1LMENT OF LIQUOR LICENSES

peculiar situation is presented in Cordova almost all
of the Alaska towns with reference to the liquor question
The engaged the business practically unit IN the
desire restrict of licensed saloons in the various
municipalities They sought have the Legislature take
action the question hat would have the result Of keep
ing down the number of saloons. But nothing accom-
phed there The question revived in Cordova before
the city council last night Some time petition cir
cuated and received the signatures OF about eighty citizens
including nearly all the business praying that more
liquor licenses be granted until the population of the town
reached total of $500 Last night this petition accompan
led memorial presented to the Council with the desire
that action be favoaby taken by that municipal body to
that the Judge of the division be requested is
any additional licenses until the population of Cordova
increased to $500. An embarrassing situation
suited nasmuch most of these councmen had their
to the petition. They willing that the Legisla
turc should the responsibility of the NATTER but when
the question was put to them there numerous con-
siderations that weighed against their signatures And the
matter was deferred to subsequent meeting
The regulation of the liquor traffic has been serious
sideraon for years throughout the United States The
methods generally urged have been along the lines being
extreme in states than others They include the
prohibition of the manufacture and sale of liquor in few
states the fixing of high license the curtalment of the
Der of licenses according the population the closing places
on Sunday and from until six O'Clock in the morning the
prohibition of the sale to intoxicated and Minors and
few other regulations
1t is but few years that Seattle the throe of
great battle this question The matter of limiting the
Licenses referred to the voters The church people and
the law abiding citizens generally, through organiza
ions and by campaign of publicity trumphany carried the
ddy ana an improved condition has existed that
city What the church people then demanded Seattle
requested in general by the holding liquor Ii
in Alaska and opposed by leading business
The conditions somewhat different and this norhland
alleged that the matter of self interest dominates both
sides. The liquor charged with trying
monopoly of certain business that in Oordova with pres
ent limited populatin licenses in existence
while IN the pamy days of railroad construction three
there twentysx places that many property
holders have vacant stores that they hope have
occupied by saloon at high enal that the license money
$1,000 for each additional place will tend to obvate the
sity pf evyng tax; that of residents who have
weahered the hard times desire license when the
conditions improves that the saloons the greater the
Der of men employed, ETC.
On the other hand the saloon claims have all kinds
OF troubles III conducting his business and that only by the
strlcest economy that he continue without loss That
prosperous times Codova the present number places
would be ample for the public service good that rcter
compliance with the law could be had because of dsap
pearance of the almost desperate necessity in
OF gathering in coin that under other circumstances could
fused of establishing higher standard of business etc.
And the moras takes the middle ground of eliminating all
seshness or and favor that which will be
greatest good and happiness of the community.