Evening journal., 1918-10-29
Open SALOONS
KEEP COPS BUSY
81 Men Before City Judge
This Morning on Charge
of Intoxication
POLICE FAVOR
LIMITED BAN

Following a respite OF a few hours,
followers OF Bacchus began another
round OF revelry at daybreak today and
the indications at noon pointed toward
another record breaking day in police
circles. Up 10 noon five arrests had been
made for drunkenness. 10 was asserted
by some city officials that the lifling Of
the closing orders by the health de-
partment should have been modified so
that the saloons would have been al
lowed 10 remain open few hours each
day until the thirst Of the disciples Of
Bacchus had been appeased.
In all probability the question Of put
ting a check on the indiscriminate sale
Of intoxicating liquors will be discussed
az the meeting Of the Board Of Police
Commissioners this afternoon. The same
subject may be considered by the health
department II that body should meet
this afternoon. 10 was learned last night
that the crowding Of local saloons by
residents Of Philadelphia. Camden and
other cities might have a tendency TO
cause another outbreak Of the influenza
in this city.
Mayor Lawson this morning stated
that no complaints had been received
by him Of the ught Of revelry indulged
in last night.
Conditions in the lower section Of
the city this morning were said by the
police 10 be almost as bad as they were
last night. II was a common sight this
morning TO see men reeling along the
streets carrying supplies Of intoxicants.
Fifty-one prisoners were before Judge
Churchman in Municipal Court this
morning on the charge OF intoxication.
One after the other, the prisoners
OF various nationallties, white and
black. filed before Judge Churchman
and received their punishment for their
indlscretlon and misiudgment OF their
capacity for liquor. The penalties va
ried. according TO the length OF time
Of residence OF the defendants in this
city and according 10 whether they
were old offenders. A number OF the
men were from Philadelphia. Chester.
Pennsgroye, Csrney's Point and other
places not very far from here. u re-
quired IS minutes TO dispose Of the
cases
When Carney's Point was booming
several years ago. large patches OF pris-
oners daily appeared In City Court on
charges Of drunkenness. but those DAYS
could not be compared with what hap
pened Yesterday after the saloon doors
were opened. All day men flocked 10 the
saloons TO quench their thirst, which
had been so enhanced by the long, dry
spell. and scores OF them became in
toxicsted by too great use Of liquor.
Throughout the city last night men
were 10 be seen reeling and staggering
but the police were considerate, II
seems. for those who seemed able IA
navigate" a little were not bothered
II was a glorious celebration OF the re-
opening Of the saloons for the men
One OF the men charged with beins
drunk. and who had been admitted "a
bail insisted that he was not drunk
when arrested. but his plea did not
have any effect on the Judges decision
in flning him 81 and costs. II was his
initial visit before the Court. Even
after the imposition OF the fine the de-
fendant protested that he was sober.
Names caused a little trouble in me
cases Of two men. One Of the defend
ants could not recall what name he
had given when arrested and his prop
er name was not listed, But the tangle
was straightened out by leaving him to
the last Of the string OF defendants. The
other had given a wrong name when
arrested. but disclosed his proper name
in court A search Of his court record
showed that he has managed to stay
away from the court for two years. He
was dismissed.
In the case OF another defendant,
Judge Churchman thought IL remark
able that il was only his second visit
before the court this year. II was,
however. the defendants twenty-fourth
before the court on the
charge OF drunkenness and he was as
sessed s. and costs. In 1917 this man
was arrested nine times FOR drunken
ness.