The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-18
MAYOR RESTORES
TW|CE-REvOKEO
SALOON PERMITS
Breaks Precedents by Favor
Granted to Disorderly Places
Which Broke Pledges.
CHICAGO CITY HALL
CROWD IS ASTONISHED
Police Captain Says "Reputa.
BILE Citizens Have Vouched
For Conduct of Owner OF
Notorious Cabaret.

Chicago, Aug. 17.-Mayor Thomp-
son has set a precedent by restoring
two saloon licenses which had been
revoked twice within six months.
The places he allowed to reopen after
he had closed them two times Tor vao.
lations OF the law are:
Panama Cafe, conducted by 1sa-
dore Levin, 250l South State Street,
notorious "black and tan" cabaret.
License revoked March and re-
stored March 10; revoked July IL &C.
stored August ID
Rex Cafe conducted by Henry
Groth. 41b East sixty-third Street
License revoked February 10, re-
stored April 30; revoked July II, re-
stored August 10.
The licenses Of both cafes were re-
stored on the recommendation ox
Chief Healey.
Mayor Brealls Custom
The mayors action was a surprise.
1t has been the custom not to restore
the license of a saloonkeeper after
it had been taken away from him
twice.
Former Mayor Harrison had q rule
never to restore a license to the
same owned a second time II he
revoked a mans license twice he
compelled the transfer OF II after
the second revocation before he would
restore It, Mayor Thompson followed
this custom until now.
There was considerable speculation
in the city hall as to what secret in
fiuence was able to have these two
licenses restored. According to Chief
Healey's letters recommending the
restoration reputable citizens"
a. n ~ r$ a,@ ss, 49,
he asserted that the saloonkeeper
had promised to obey the law In the
future.
Letters Almost Alike
The chiefs two letters in the Levin
case caused considerable comment in
the hall They are almost Identical.
although written nearly FIVE months
apart
On March Is the chief. In recon-
mending the restoration OF the H.
cense to Levin. wrote the mayor:
mfr Levin has called at this Of
fee. accompanied by reputable citi-
zens, and promises TO faithfully com
ply with all laws. ordinances and po-
lice regulations concerning saloons.
/: his license is restored to him
But levlh epparsntly did not keep
his promise because the chssr - Jniv
II again recommended the revocation
OF the license Despite this fact.
however. the chief wrote another let
ter asking the mayor TO restore the
license again
More Promises by Levin.
This letter. which was dated Aug
asst 4, stated:
''Mr, Levin has this day called on
me, accompanied by several reputable
citizens OF this community and prom
Used faithfully that II his licenses are
restored he will conduct his place
strictly in accordance with the laws.
ordinances and police regulations"
The license OF the Panama Cafe
was revoked the last time after Sc
rious charges were made against the
place by Police Captain Heafy and
Policewomen Crot and wightrnan,
who made several visits to the place
Captain Healy, in recommending
that the place be closed, said In part:
The license of this notorious place
was revoked on March and restored
on March Is. On May IS the cabaret
was ordered stopped on account OF
several cases OF misconduct This
privilege was restored on Juno 3 upon
promises to comply strictly with the
law and the orders OF this depart
ment. However. the facts as stated
show very clearly that no effort Is
being MADE TO keep those promises"
The Rex Cafe license was revoked
both times for violation Of the Sun
day closing law
Promises More Revelations.
Mayor Thompson has promised
that he will revoSe II saloon and two
restaurant licenses for violation OF
the Sunday closing laws The places
to be closed are among the Sc viola
lions reported last Sunday. More
may follow later.
John Fl. Lyle. secretary of the
Englewood Law and Order League,
who was elected from the civil SER
vice commissions rooms last Monday
when he attempted an expose OF
Englewood saloons alleged to be
violating the Sunday closing law.
has written Mayor Thompson an
other letter,
He answered the mayors declara-
ton that the league had not fur
nished him with evidence of law vio-
lations by citing that 81 sworn am
davits. transcripts or testimony and
letters, had been sent to the mayor
charging violation OF the Sunday
closing law.
What do you think OF the letter ~
the mayor was asked.
II don't think anything about It."
he replied. II did not read it. I
have learned that Mr. Lyle dosen't
tell the truth and all his communi.
cations go in the waste paper basket