The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-27
POLITICS BLAMED
FOR LID FITTING
Attorney Of Engiewood Law and Or
der League Charges Sunday
XiolAStnnA 70 Henchmcn

Chicago, III. June 2s.--Charges
that Thompson politicians were
responsible for scores of Sunday ga
/ loon violations In the Englewood
District were presented to the Coun-
! Gil Committee on Police. Fire and
attorney for the Englewood Law and
Order League.
The committee has invited Mr..
Lyle to appear in accordance with an
order introduced into the Council
several weeks ago by Alderman
James Rea, OF the Thirty-second
Ward
| Mr.. Lyle made afidavit that a po-
lice sergeant declared in An interview
that the busy was passed" to the
police on the Sunday closing law and
that policemen did not dare TO inter-
tere because OF politics
| Policemen of all ranks. from cap
tains down, have confirmed the fore
going statement" declared Mr.. Lyle
| In his AFFIDAVIT. They have inform
ed me that they were not TO blame
for conditions that they dared not
disturb certain men who were in
right with the administration"
| Several affidavits of reports of sun
day saloon violations were submitted
! by Mr.. Lyle, A copy of a letter TO
the mayor complaining that a muir
der had been committed on May 81
| in a saloon reported on May TO the
| mayor as having violated the Sun
day closing law on May I, also was
read by Mr.. Lyle,
Affidavit Flied
In support of the assertions that
| Thompson politics were responsible
, for the violations an AFFIDAVIT was
! offered declaring that NJ, !. O'Con-
nell. a Thompson political leader and
eaioon-keeper at s7bs South Hal
sted Street has been reported re-
peatedly to the mayor and that the
| Sunday closing violations continued.
| Another affidsvtt declared William
Dryer. a saloon keeper, also boasted
| of strong pull"
What percentage OF the saloons
are open out there on Sunday
asked Alderman Powers.
! Many are closed, but forty or Sfty
saloon-keepers. either Thompson Re-
pubhcans or Democrats who have
switched TO the mayor, violate the
law" answered Mr.. Lyle.
! Mr. Lyle intimated that Alderman
DePriest was responsible for the
| ty-second Ward regained IT'S license
after II had been revoked by the
mayor.
"I'll admit all that" said Alderman
! DePrtest The owner OF the Bristol
lives in my ward--the Secondhand
did everything could for him"
The committee by unanimous vote
cleared Alderman Rea Of any con-
nection with the violations charged.
but did not adopt resolution exon
Grating the administration
| Says They Falsify.
/ Mayor Thompson accused John Fl.
LYLE. f. J. Davis and the Anti-Ss-
| loon League OF Illinois OF double
reading and falsehood," following
| Mr.. Lyles appearance before the
I Council committees on schools aFe
| police and civil service. complaining
| that saloons In Englewood are open
on Sunday
! when Mr.. Lyle made such re-
I port 10 me- on May s." said the may
1 or II took his word in good faith,
believing he was sincere in trying TO
! helm the enforcement Of the Sunday
| closing law had the police In
! vestigate. and ] learned TO my sur
prise hat not one of the saloons re-
ported violating the law had oeen
/ open. consider Mr.. Lyle's attitude
merely a matter of politics, based on
MISREPRESENTATION and double dealing
I'm this connection" continued the
mayor, 'let me say that Mr. Lyle and
E. J Davis OF the Anti-Saloon League
/ form great com hinatton. l have
proof that they have been playing
politics and that th%r capacity Tor
/ double dealing Ia unlimited.
IT have in my possession levers
which lead me to believe that DAVIS
/ a leading member Of the Anu-Sal DON
! League, Is In reality an employees OF
| the whiskev disttllers The Anti-Sa 3
! loon Leagues campaign for funds
/ throughout the State Is ounko gains
! on the people. in my opinion