Imperial Valley press., 1914-03-18

President John Norton appointed
committee of three city trustees last
night to make an investigation into
the pool room and stage line condi-
tions existing at the present time
and, if they are found to be objec-
tionable, City Attorney j. S. Larew
will be asked to prepare city or
finance governing the two matters.
The committee consists of Commits
sioners Egerer, Swanson and Trav-
ers, the appointment coming as re-
suit of a communication handed IN
by Police Commissioner William
Egerer, who claimed that it was op-
perfume to curb the transporting of
Intoxicating liquors into the city by
means of stage lines and that the
pool rooms had become so obnoxious
that legislation was needed in that
line also. Following is the letter:
"March II. 1914.-To the Honor
able Board of Trustees of the City
of Ell Centre: From having made &
very close observation of the traffic
conditions on Main street in this city,
am quite convinced that more regu-
lation is needed with reference to the
stage lines. AS the community is
mainly agricultural, and therefore de-
pends largely upon the farmers, l feel
that every courtesy and consideration
should be shown them.
81 would, therefore, recommend
that stage traffic be restricted to the
side streets, namely, Broadway, State
street. Fifth street and Sixth street,
and that Main street be kept clear.
Furthermore, as the stages are play
ing quite a part in bringing in in
toxicating liquors and drunken men
into this city, would recommend that
the stages be prohibited from solicit
ing any trade after 9 o'clock In the
evening; also that, during the day,
they be not permitted to solicit any
trade going down the street. | would
recommend that it be made a mis-
demeanor for any stage to bring a
drunken man into the city, and that
such misdemeanor be made subject 20
fine. l am thoroughly convinced
from what | have seen on several oc-
casions at night, especially last Sat
urday night about l o'clock, when
several stages brought in drunken fell
lows and men with liquor in their
possession, who started fight in front
of one of the pool halls at that hour
of the night, that some stringent reg
ulation is needed.
"Furthermore, l will say that the
sidewalks on either side of Main street
are often blocked to such an extent
as to be scarcely passable by women
and children, as in passing they are
exposed to indecent and improper
language For this the stages that
are soliciting along the street are
largely responsible. Women who
come to shop and children going to
school are obliged to go in round
about way to avoid having to pass
along Main street.
"And, furthermore, | would rec
ommend stricter regulation of pool
halls | would recommend that pool
halls be closed up at 9 o'clock in the
evening and that they be not allowed
to open on Sundays until / o'clock
in the afternoon, so that the boys
and men will not be kept so long away
from their homes, where they prob
ably have a mother, sister or wife
waiting for them. / would also be
in favor of making it misdemeanor
to keep musical instruments going all
day and evening, as it keeps men
standing out in front of pool halls
and makes the sidewalks impossible
for men and women.
Anu, IuILHtIHlOIe, Int pun iaiiS
have been dealt with leniently so far,
but they have abused the good will
that has been shown them. Gambling
is going on covertly, so that no Off
cials can detect it, and it is only
through detectives that have learned
of it. Young men are lying around
the pool halls who have not worked
for months, but are living off the
money they they obtain in gambling al
such places.
~ hope that this will meet with
the approval of the board, and that 1t
will be deemed advisable to have the
city attorney write an ordinance COW
ering the different regulations sug-
gested. Very respectfully,
"WM. EGERER,
"Polce Commissioner"
In defense of the legitimacy of the
nooI roonn business yarioug prODrie-