Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-01-09
OVERLOOK SECTION
STILL WITHOUT BAR
Michael J. Burke, With Trans
fer Granted, Fails to Open Sa-
loon on Lansdowne Avenue

Michael J. Burke. the saloonkcepcr, whose
appeal for a transfer Of his retail liquor
license from 200 Callowhill street to the
southwest corner Of sixtieth street and
Lansdowne avenue was granted by Judge
Barratt and Davis on November 90, after
several of the stormiest sessions ever wit
messed in the License Court, has failed SO
far to take advantage of the privilege >of
opening a saloon at the new location.
Under the ruling of the Court Burke
could have established himself in business
Immediately after the decision was handed
down. AS soon as Burke received word OF
the courts decision he notified the pro-
prietor of an oyster saloon, who had occu-
pied the building at Sxtieth street and
Lansdowne avenue, to vacate.
The building has peen empty since De-
cember 7, but nothing has been done in the
way of Improving" it for liquor saloon
The building has never been swept since
that time
Members of the various churches in
Overbrook who formed an association and
fought to have the original transfer re-
voked are confident that Burke will never
open his saloon for business at Sixtieth
street and Lansdowne avenue
One of the leaders in the movement TO
prevent Burke from opening his saloon in
the residential section of -Dverbrook de-
clared today that he believed the liquor in
terests have come to look upon the plant
ing of a saloon in the section as acting
like boomerang. and that Burke has been
requested to change his mind,
SIGNIFICANT, SAYS MR.. SCOTT
A. A. Scott. one of the leading figures in
the association of members of seven
churches in Overbrook formed to fight the
establishment of a saloon in that section,
declared he was confident Burke would not
open saloon at SiNtieth street and LanS-
downe avenue. Pressed for more details,
Mr. Scott said: isn't It significant that
Burke Is being held back from opening
business there and nothing has Been done
in the way of improving the property al
though the license was granted month
ago? do not care to discuss this case any
further You can draw your own conclu-
sions." Mr., Scott said he believed the
storm of protest aroused over the action or
the court in granting the transfer in the
face of the great number of remonstrants
NAV have brought pressure TO bear on
Burke which has caused him to reconsider
his desire to open business Mt the corner
The Rev c. Edgar Adamson pastor Of
the Mary A. Simpson Memorial Church
Sixty-hrst and jefferson streets, who, in an
open letter, characterized the courts action
in refusing to revoke the transfer of
Burke's license as worthy of the scathng
condemnation Of the bench and bar also
expressed an opinion that Burke would not
establish himself in business at his new
stand.
BURKE WON'T TALK
When asked why he had not opened the
saloon today, Burke, in an angry voice, said
he would not discuss the case.
you have never asked my opinion re-
garding the business before. l have never
been given an opportunity to talk about the
case / will not discuss the matter. | must
decline to answer any questions. You will
have to see my lawyer"
James f. Boylan, attorney for Burke
evidenced surprise when asked about the
affair 1T is news to me-" he said, III
Mr.. Burke has changed his mind about
opening his saloon at SiXtieth street and
Lansdowne avenue l have no knowledge of
it, The matter rests entirely with him.
am done with the case"
At the offices of the Philadelphia Retail
Liquor Dealers Association it was said that
nothing had been heard about Burke aban-
doning his idea of opening at the new loca-
tion.