Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-10
new YORK LIGHTS
To BLAZE LONGER
Mitchell Will Permit Cabaret
Places to Remain Open
Until Q O'Clock.

New York. March 10.-Just what the
public and the restaurants may expect
from the mayor hereafter as regards
the night life of the city was announc-
ed yesterday by Arthur Woods, the
mayors secretary.
Every properly conducted tango or
cabaret restaurant will get an all night
license, but Il must turn out Its guests
and it's lights at a. m. or the license
will be revoked.
Besides this a number of all night
licenses will be granted to places
which offer no dancing or entertain
ment. and which profit only from the
sale of food and drink to night work
ers. These will be permitted to re-
main open all night. but the closest
watch will be kept on them.
Another interesting part Of the may
or's program is his intention to permit
hotel guests to get food after 1 a. m.
although the sale of liquor in hotels
must stop at that hour.
In a word, liberal treatment is the
keynote of the administrations pol
icy concerning supervision of Broad
ways bright spots. The mayor says
he wants to give as much latitude as
is consistent with tecency and good
order.
While Mr.. Mitchell is mayor police
inspectors and captains will not be al
lowed to charge into restaurants and
drive patrons out like so many sheep.
The mayor doesn't believe in that sort
of thing. But the restaurant keeper
who fails to do his part under the new
amicable arrangement will be discip.
lined without any powwow.
The mayors program was outlined
after Secretary Woods had investi-
gated the restaurant and night life
situation thoroughly. Mr.. Woods talk
ed conditions over with Attorney
Whitman, with newspaper men. with
personal friends who understand what
the people want, and filed a report
which will be approved without Ques-
ton by the mayor.
The salient points Of the report are;
"The effort has been to devise a pol
Icy which would give TO the people of
the city reasonable opportunity to get
and entertainment dur
ing the late hours OF the night, yet
which would prevent as far as posi-
BILE the occurrence OF Objectionable
conduct in places licensed and which
would avoid all suspicion OF discrim-
nation
"At the present time, no restaurant
which gives entertainment to its guests,
such as cabaret performance or OPP
pOrtunity for dancing. has an all night
license and according TO the law. all
such places must close at o'clock and
turn their guests out in the streets.
1T seems to be generally agreed
that such places should not stay open
all night. On the other hand, it seems
arbitrary to force them to close their
doors and eject their guests at
o'clock. The time is too short between
the closing of the theatres and a. m.
20 cfford to persons who wish refresh !
ments and entertainment proper op- |
portunity to get comfortably what i
they desire.
MY recommendation is. therefore, I
that the reputable and orderly restaur-
ants which provide entertainment all |
night licenses be granted upon appli- |
cation, with the proviso written into |
the license that the place be closed at |
3 O. N. and with the clear understand |
ing that II Objectionable conduct is |
the license will be revoked |,
promptly and the l o'clock law there
after strictly enforced"