Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-08
Closing of Rome's Model Organi-
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 OeOTSld
including those more fashionable and
exclusive social clubs that maintain
lockers for the accommodation 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 a
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
bers, 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
las" locker, he receives for that
service a check for two and one-hal:
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 accommodating of a prof
It 10 the club from the dispensing OF
liquors amounted to an evasion OF
the prohibition law merely and there
fore was Illegal
The point for the court of review to
settle, il will be seen readily enough,
is whether a social club maintaining
locker system may compensate the
lelP 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.
II the court holds that the plan
adopted by the Hill City Club is all
right. locker clubs throughout the
state will breathe easier. If II up-
holds Judge Wright's view. however.
another nail will be driven in the I'D
which already sits pretty tight on
locker clubs in Georgia, so the mem
bers thereof say
The Rome Law and Order League.
which brought about this issue. is
one Of the most unique rganizattons
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
ii out Of business.
When the Elks closed round dozen
followed suit, and to-day there Is not
la 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
it is in Rome
A few weeks ago. however, the Hill
City Club came into existence. op-
Grating under a new plan, and for a
time It did a fiourishing 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 confiseated.
Il was closed under temporary in
junction proceedings and its stock Of
liquors was Confscated. Later Judge
Wright made the injunction perma-
ueut and now nothing can bring the
club back 10 life. EXCEPT a reversal
Of Judge Wright by some Court u
Appeals.
The service check plan. outla we 4
by Judge Wrights decision IL in op-
Grafton in a majority Of the locker
clubs Of the State. and the outcome
~ this case therefore Is most vital
10 them.