The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-03-24

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which had been turned down by Fine.
appear to have been issued from one
to three months previous.
One of the dramshop keepers 10
whom a pre- dated license was issued
had been arrested for operating with
out n license. At his trial he pro.
duced license dated December 30.
1915, signed by Shotwell and Duck,
and a notice issued by the two Excise
Commissioners stating that the IL
cense began to run October IL, 1918.
1t was brought out at the trial
that the specific purpose of the Elk
else Board in pre-dating the license
WAS to bar the prosecution OF the
dramshop keeper for violation OF the
law. Shotwell vas called as a witt
ness for the defendant and testified
that II was his custom to permit
dramshop keepers TO operate without
a license and then pre-date the IL
cense when they were issued. The
letter to the Governor states that
this is a violation of the law, Sessions
Acts OF 1918. page 201.
Policies Reversed.
Three other cases are cited IN the
complaint to the Governor.
The delegates from st. Louis
County will represent to the delegates
from the other counties that Cover
nor Major was strongly supported in
his contest for the nomination in the
belief that he would fairly and eff
GENTLY enforce the excise laws in the
city. They will further represent
that he has completely reversed the
policies of the earlier part or Ms
term apparently to win the support or
the saloon and brewery interests in
the furtherance OF his political ambi-
lions.
Rumsey, Excise Commissioner, is
"a candidate for Democratic national
committeeman against Edward r.
Goltra, incumbent, and is also man
ager of the vice. presidential cam
pajgn of Governor Major.
Since Rumsey became Excise Com
missioner a year ago, charged in his
official capacity with issuing saloon
licenses and enforcing the excise
laws, the lid which was so success
fully clamped down by Joseph w.
Folk when he was Governor. has
been lifted.
Usual Arguments Of Vets.
When he last prohibition cam
paign was being fought in Missouri
the plea of the liquor interests was
that the regulated saloon was prefer
able to the blind tiger. The INFER
ence from their statements sent
broadcast throughout the State was
they. the liquor interests, would be
only too glad to submit to regula-
ton and obey all the existing laws.
Here is what Is actually happening
in the saloons of st. Louis under the
first Excise Commissi oner during the
past twelve years. who has not in
sisted upon strict obedience to the let
ter of the law:
Wine rooms, that is rooms attached
TO saloons where women congregate
10 drink, are running in every section
of the city There are hundreds oi
these illegal institutions In st. Louis
The wine rooms are freauented by
women of the underworld, and also
by young girls, many of whose moth
ers are appealing to the Ministerial
Alliance of st. Louis TO take steps to
have these dives closed.
Hundreds of saloons are open on
Sundays, the proprietors having nc
fear that their licenses will be re-
voked by the Excise Commissioner
The only way by which the public
can get action against the violatort
Of the Sunday law. either through the
police or excise department. is by
threatening to take the law into its
own hands. One mother succeeded
in having the proprietor of two sa'
looms arrested last Sunday by send
ing a letter to the police department
threatening to shoot the sa1oonkeep'
ers unless the police close theii
places. The proprietors we're ar.
rested. but their licenses have not YET
been revoked.
No Attention Paid To Law.
No attention whatever is paid tc
the law requiring saloons to close az
/ o'clock in the morning.
There are cabarets and music de-
vices in hundreds Of saloons and wine
rooms. and their proprietorS are
never molested either by the police
or the Excise Commissioner.
Policemen, under the Rumsey ad-
ministration, are permitted to enter
barrooms and drink. while on or of
duty, for the first time In more than
twelve years.
There have been scores Of robber.
les and several killings as the direct
result of the wineroom evil in St
Louis. but none of the saioonkeepers
in whose places these offenses have
occurred have lost their license. I'm.
der former Excise Commissions 4
saloonkeepers knew that the commits
sion of a crime in their saloons
would result in the loss of their II.
censes
Conditions in some OF the wine.
rooms and dance-halls operated ir
connection with saloons are de.
scribed as being worse than in the
old free and easy days, when chear
vaudeville shows were conducted In
connection with saloons. and fire.
quented by women of the underworld
who mingled with the crowds.
Since the segregated district haa
been closed by the police board and
the saloons have been thrown oper
to women, the streets of st. Louis are
thronged at night with street walk
ers. In the business district Of the
city, especially, the women are num-
erous. but the fashionable West End
districts also have been invaded.
Rumscy Is Majors Man
Rumsey is the first Excise Com
| missioner since Folk established
new order OF things in st, Louis tc
participate actively In politics. lie
has attended numerous ward meet
ings with the ward bosses, and hal
sought to make political alliance.
favorable to himself and to Governor
Major, to whom he owes his ap.
pointment.
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