Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1913-11-19
PERMITS VOID
ON JANUARY |
0pan Ballot After That TO
See If Cabaret Entertain
ments Will Continue.
PLAN FOR HOUSECLEANING
Commissioner-elect Bird Will
Not Commit Himself as
to His Policies.
PLAN FOR H0USECLEANING

All permits governing the exhibi-
| ton of cabaret shows in this city
viii be null and void on and after
January /, next, according to a deci-
sion of the leading factors in the
| Board of Excise Commissioners. Be-
ginning on that date the board will.
by open ballot, determine whether
such entertainment shall be permit
ted, and If so, how, when and where
| 1t may be carried on
1t is the intention of the commits
sloners, 1t Is declared. to clean IN
the liquor traffic to some extent next
year, especially in relation to cabaret
shows. The commissioners seem to
realize, and one has ventured so far
as to inform Chief of Police Patrick
j. Burke that he is in accord with
his views, that cabaret are a serious
detriment to young people and to
others as we'll who are not inclined a,
to become Incorporate but are att
| tracted by them. The chief says
that some of the shows run in CON
nection with drinking places here
have been carried too far and have
as consequence developed the old
free and easy style of place, which
were exterminated years ago by law.
Permits too Liberal
Permits for cabaret shows with
which the excise commissioners have
been so liberal the past several
months, were not granted to cover
any specific period. They are subject
to revocation al any time. AS a con-
sequence the commissioners expect
no difficulty in multiplying them at the
| end OF this year. 1t is intended that
after January | persons wishing to
conduct cabaret shows shall apply
to the board as they must do for
| liquor licenses, and that the permits
will be balloted on openly as are
liquor licenses Should such shows
be permitted at all they will be curb
ed considerably, it is declared. The
hours will probably be reduced, only
certain classes of performers will be
allowed and they viii have TO con-
fine their exhibitions to stage, plat
form, or a marked space within the
cabaret hall.
"If the people don't want cabar-
| cts they shouldn t exist" said John
A. Bird, Democratic candidate elect
! ed two weeks ago to fill the unexzs,
/ pired term of Harry Germs, as ex-
else commissioner, when interviewed
today by a NEWS man Mr.. Bird,
who is only twenty-five years of age
and will be the youngest member OF
the Board of Excise Commissioners,
would not commit himself for or
against cabaret performances, but
declared that he is going into office
to serve the people and to do their
bidding. He did, however, declare
that he is opposed to indecent shows
which he vowed should not be per-
mitted to operate. Mr.. Bird was
reticent as to what he intends to
work for when he takes Office Janu-
ary 1, and said he will first have to
get the sentiment of the people be-
fore he is able to say what stand he
will take on different questions.
The excise commissioner elect in
tends to let the sentiment OF the
people as a whole guide him with
reference to cabarets properly con-
Quoted, but as to indecent shows,
he said: 1.-THE cabarets should GER
tainly be conducted decently, and no
vulgar amusements be allowed in
them"
Favors Public Balloting.
Mr.. Bird is in favor of the ballot
ing of the board being done in pub-
lie. and believes the body will de-
eide to do same after January 1.
When asked about the granting
of new licenses, the successful can
didate declared under the present
conditions he is not in favor of
granting additional saloons, excise
privileges. He believes that al pres
ent there are enough in Perth Am
h,,t hn milf n inns Cplf
as to the future, which he stated
would be governed Dy the conditions
that then exist.
When asked if he would work
with Commissioner Boehm, rather
than with the alleged "elique" ex-
listing between the other commits
sioners, Mr.. Bird said he could not
foretell his actions, which wou.d be
guided by developments after he be-
comes a member of the board
Mr. Bird appeared to be in a
predatory state on excise matters as
whole, and open to conviction as
to the policies he should pursue as
o commissioner He declares that
he desires to understand the senti-
ment of the people before he makes
any definite statements as TO his
future actions. He says his object
as a commissioner will be solely to
serve the people.
Mr.. Bird is twenty-five years of
age, and employed as timekeeper on
the Lehigh Valley Railroad. He is
unmarried, and lives with his Wild
owed mother, Mrs. Hannah Bird. at
104 Washington street. He is q
member of the Marion A. c., the
Foresters, and the knights of Col
umbus.