New-York tribune., 1913-07-23
STATE AUCTIONS LIQUOR
THOUGH PEASE PROTESTS
Anti-TobaCCo Exponent Raises
Objections to the Sale OF
COnfiSCated DrinkabIeS.
TOTAL BIDS EXCEED $1,000
Quality of Goods Not Guaran-
teed by Excise Department,
but This Doesn't Weigh
with Would Be Buyers.

The State Department Of Excise began
yesterday morning at the Standard Stor-
age Warehouse. SD street and Broadway,
its first sale Of liquors confscated under
the new law. and DR. Pease hearing or
the new departure in the public service,
Immediately issued a statement
why sell the liquor" asked the doctor.
amy more than any other poison? why
not put II into the sewer, which is OBJ
vlously the place for It? OF what use are
all our material achievements II our peo-
pie are declining morally. mentally and
! hyslcally? The official report from
Washington. showing that Of our 10000
600 school children Is per cent are de-
fective. does not give a very hopeful out
look for the race. The children are evi-
dencing the physical abnormality Of their
progenitors through the use Of alcoholic
liquors. tobacco and other posons. II A
government cannot place itself on the safe
side of question it should at least be
neutral
AS / said before put the stuff into
the sewer. which is the best place for IT,
except that would be sorry for the
fishes / hope that the government will
place the welfare Of the people i'm the
matter OF mental. moral and physical de-
velopment above the question OF dollars
and cents"
Meanwhile the state ignoring all OBJ
Jections. was briskly plying its new trade
and tipplers from far and near congre-
gated 10 watch. The bidding was brisk
and averaged about s6 barrel. the entire
sale netting the state rather more than
g. 900. As the sale progressed the pre-
vious owners OF the liquor grew more and
more gloomy. One. "A merchant named
Lamporti. Of No. 247 Avenue 4. appealed
TO Justice Phllbin for a stay which was
refused
William W. Farley. State Commissioner
OF Excise. had provided that the state
give no guarantee as 70 the quality. guam
tity or character OF the liquor sold. His
perspicacity was apparent when some OF
the beer turned out 10 be vinegar and
water. a circumstance which under or
dinary conditions might have proved en-
barassmg. The chief advantage OF draw
ing your own contract. however was best
shown when a gentleman OF pronounced
features purchased SO 20 worth OF beer
and had 4 rolled away into a corner for
safekeeplng Either before or after the
sale-nobody seemed 10 know which
somebody opened the bunghole and ap-
proprlated the beer. which moved the gen.
tleman nightly. but under the contract
he had no redress.
The sale was resumed az the knicker-
booker Storage Warehouse In 6lst street,
az .. m. with Charles FlrestOne. attor-
nev FOR the Excise Department. in charge
and George Hayt agent Of the Excise De-
partment. acting as auctIoneer. Trouble
began early. when one OF the bystanders
offered 20 bet a purchaser that the BARRE
he had Just bought didn't contain the SIX
teen gallons the auctioneer said ii did
The majesty OF the law was upheld.
Meantime the thirsty OF which the
neghborhood apparently held a great
many. strolled into the warehouse and sat
on the barrels and besought the purchaS-
ers to give them "a drink. StiN others
showed tendency 10 put the bottles into
their pockets. but the department reduced
the practice 10 a minimum.
The ceremony will be resumed THIS
morning al II O'Clock at Belford Il Sons
Storage Warehouse. No. 81 Wyckon
street. and will conclude at p. m, al
40 j93 Flushing avenue.