New-York tribune., 1919-10-30

'vere followed faithfully, and those
who gulped had their JOY damped
by the rapidly failing supply. Drinks
we're quoted there al two for q dollar.
At most OF the cafes stranger
could not obtain anything stronger
shan beer and soft drinks. Trusted
riends OF many establishments were
allowed to help themselves from a col
ored bottle. Sometimes the bottle con-
aimed whisky but more often it was
gin or sherry. 1t was the most pop
ular form OF gambling in the the
trical district yesterday.
Near-beer Of y of / per cent alcohol
was little in evidence. Some of the
hotel bars sold it in bottled form.
When inquiry for the "slops," as the
near beer is cal ed was made at a
downtown cafe, the barkeeper grinned.
Near-Beer Little in Evidence
Say, you won't get none of that
stuff in here. not while our supply OF
275 holds OUT he said. And then
mebbe not. That 2.75 is bad enough.
and it makes me ashamed to give It to
man asking for q real drink. But
when it comes to nearb beer
He threw up his hands in token of
his supreme disgust with prohibition
sts and congressman, Some saloon
keepers who sold near-beer found the
greater portion of their customers
were buying simply to find out how
il tasted
Its better than water, | can say
that for it," one proprietor apologized.
AT least. it's better than bad water.
I drink il myself in preference"
Glasses a Popular Drink
At the Hotel Astor bar four bar
tenders stood behind the counter, while
4 manager kept watch over them. Be
tween sudden bursts of activity in pol
ishing glasses, the quartet swapped
yarns OF better days when bars were
enters of social life instead of des-
erts.
Glasses" was the favorite tipple at
the hotel bars yeste rday. When this
tumblers for the customers, placed
cracked ice therein. and set up & bot
tie of vichy or ginger ale The customer r
him7elf then whipped out flask, and
axed his own drink.
Charles II. Hussey. president Of the
Retail Liquor Dealers Association,
said the members Of that organization
had been ordered 20 live up strictly to
The letter of the law He said none of
the cafes in the city, a. far as ne knew
had closed up on account OF the en-
forcement law. and that all would con-
tinue selling near-beer and soft drinks
He said no legal action would he taken
the association. such move being
left TO the brewers.
Higher Food Prices Predicted
The consensus yesterday was that
cafes could not continue in business
for the sale of near beer and soft drinks
alone Proprietors are planning either
10 run res s-aurants IN connection with
their bars or give up entirely
Howard f. Taylor, secretary of the
Society of Restaurateurs, said ye ter
day the strict enforcement OF prohIbi-
tion undoubtedly would result in gen
eral increase Of prices paid for food
n restaurants,
In som. parts of Brooklyn yesterday
sa 'oons were closed. but in the down
town section of the borough business
seemed to be going on as usual.
Borough Hal cafe men said they
would abolish their bars and convert
their places into restaurants.
Anli-Saloon League to Act
Andrew B. Wood, assistant superin-
5endent of the Anri-Saloon League OF
New York. said yesterday the organiza-
tion was expecting TO aid the govern
ment officers TO accomp ish strict en-
forcemant Of prohibition through d
subsidiary organization incorporated
IS the 4 lied Citizens OF America.
"Ccmmiss ioner Ropers analysis o.
aw enforcement problems in connec-
tlon with national prohibition har-
monizes with the views of the Anti
Sa DON League" Mr. Wood said. "The
iaw-abiding element must assist the
state and local officials must aid as
far as they are now empc wered and
must be given further specific powers
by the Legis aeure Of New York, and
the whole refine must be supported
by proper education.
The AllieA Citizens of America is
the form Of local organization through
which we are expecting to clear our
aw enforcement activities. We d. not
propose 10 hire lot OF detectives
We have never been in the detective
business.
Citizens Urged to Cooperate
We believe citizens should cooperate
with the local officials. as we'll as tho
Federal officials Alread more thar
o 600 citizens of New ork State have
oecome members Of the Allied Citizens
and have signed this covenant:
A--'A~4.A- ~ nave pGll III ptoIHOL4lI (
morality and patriotism and the civic
welfare Of my community | hereby
subscribe myself member Of the
Allied Citizens OF America and cove
aant with other members to upholc
american ideals and the Constitution
Of the United States and PARTICULAR
he eighteenth amendment thereto
nd to cooperate in all proper efforts
- maintain due respect for all laws
ocal, state and national
Every local division has a presi
ient and set Of officials for keeping i,
.opch with the local situation and alsc
or contact with the state organizati N
Complaints will be handled by The
egal department, Of which Robert G
DaYey OF the New York office i.
uperintendent. The legal department
will cooperate with the local division.
4 allied citizens and the entire organ
ized force Will uphold the hands o
lccal and Federal officials There ism
any other way Of getting law enforce
mont except through the people, anc
We have endeavored 70 prepare for tha
part Of the program
Suit wes entered IN the United State
. District tOurt vcgfprCaI, hoL