New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-03-01
'OPEN' SUNDAY
GETS A TRY OUT
In CITY SALOONS
Liquor Men Organize Test
in Move for Lifted Lid
After | O'clock.
STATE EXCISE CORPS
WATCH ALL BOROUGHS
All Day Police Bartender Duel
Leaves the Result in
Doubt.

Tho first move in a campaign to in
troducc in the Legislature an amend
ment to the excise law that will permit
the opening Of saloons on Sunday after
I o'clock in the afternoon was made
yesterday, the brewers and Excise De-
rartmcut and Police Department play
ing the principal roles; the saloon
keeper. puzzled, playing "'possum,'
and the public playing the goat.
In every section Of the city the ut
most caution was used in serving
drinks 30 any one not known TO the
bartender or doJrkecper, and in many
cases the places were closed tight until
after ! O'Clock.
From four different sources it was
learned yesterday that for the last two
weeks there has been considerable ac-
tyity on The part Of the liquor inter
csts and their agents at Albany. Men
prominent mn he trade have been IN
consultation with legislators. many Of
whom are close 10 Governor Whitman.
The object of the conferences, IL was
learned. was 70 endcavor TO introduce
an amendment 10 the present excise
law that. while permitting the saloons
to remain open after | o'clock on Sun
day afternoon could do away with the
many Complaints that tho liquor deal
ers we're openly violating the law.
II was the majority opinion Of the
lawmakers consulted that II the pro-
posed amendment was passed the law
would be violated any way. many Of the
I0uor dealers believing that they had
the right 10 keep open any hour or
hours that resulted IN swelling the
weeks receipts.
The brewers and others intcrc ted
dissented from this opinion. They
finally suggested that New York CITY
be used as territory for a test. After
some parleyrg an agreement, IT ~
said. was reached. the brewers issuing
instruction, to the sellers Of their par
ticular beer the Excise Department 10
act for the legislators.
Consequently, Saturday many auto
mobiles carrying brewery collectors
and clerks left the three largest brew
cries i'm Manhattan and canvass OF
tho city was made. Without going into
explanations. the retailers were re-
Gucstcd TO close tho saloons at mid
night Saturday aud 10 remain closed
until after noon Sunday. Where any
opposition that argument could not
overcome was met. me proprietor was
requested TO keep the chain on the side
door. i'm order that no one. not init
mately known. could get IN for drink.
The request i'm some places was made
n demand. These were the saloons on
which tho brewers hold mortgages, and
the proprietors pay their annual license
TO the brewery i'm weekly instruments.
Dia
the prohibited hours.
I'm the meantime ali inspectors OF
the Excise Department in Manhattan,
Brooklyn and Queens received DAY
OF and their places were taken Dy lou
upstate men. q,
Tho Police Department was notified
ON Saturday night and every inspector
i'm the city ordered his men to report
TO the district Office at s o'clock yes
terdav morning. All received explicit
instructions TO go out and get the
saloons.
Adding 70 the uneasiness of the tip
that the police were out for conv!c-
tions. the retailers learned that the
brewers themselves had ordered their
employees 10 make inspections. CLERKS
collectors and even drivers Of trucks
and chauifeurs Of the companies we're
used.
Brooklyn saloon keepers caution
cost them about Sl5O,O00, it was esti-
mated last night. for the borough came
nearer being dry than t. has for many
Sunday Only the regulars could
clako their IN rst.
In most places the proprietor him
sClf acted o, doormaE. Only those
whom Re knew to be old customers
we're admitted.