The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-29
NEW YORK SALOONS
WILL REMAIN OPEN


scented to allow war prohibition to go
into effect early in the war in all prob
ability the Federal amendment would
not have been ratified by this time even
II It had been submitted. It was the re-
sistance of the brewers to war prohibi-
ton in 1917 which FASTENED submission.
It was the continued resistance that hur-
ried up ratification. Now, then. II the
brewers turn in and nullify the war pro-
hibition act that will cllnch the enforce
ment Of the amendment
Under the circumstances anything
that may be done by the brewers will
help the prohibition cause. and the Anti
Saloon League will not do anything 10
prevent them and their saloon keeping
vassals from going as far as they like
prior to January 16. The meaner they
are and the more fuss they kick UP and
the more disregard for law they show
the more certain becomes the enforce
ment of the amendment. the earlier the
date when 1t will become an accom-
plished fact"
Federal OmciaIs' Opinion.
Doubt that President Wilson would Is
sue any procla lation before next Mon
day to interfere with the operation OF
war time prohibition was expressed yes
terday by Federal officials here. They
declared that such a proclamation would
not be in order until after the peace
treaty had actually been ratified by
Congress, as the terms of the act ex-
pressly stated that ratification OF peace
must be concurrent with his Official pro-
nouncement that rehabilitation was
ended.
A straw which was taken to be Sig
nificant of the way that New York liquor
dealers view the situation was observed
Yesterday in n statement by John T. Nc
NELL, the State Excise Commissioners.
that there had not been a single cancel
lation Of State liquor license yesterday
and only about ten applications for
blanks on which applications for rebate
on tax certificates are made. Mr. NC
Neill said this was about half the usual
number and that the two facts sur
prised him greatly. Even In ordinary
times some licenses are turning for re-
bate, he explained. According to Mr..
| McNeills theory. the saloon men have
determined to sit tight and believe that
they can continue business
It was said at the ONCE Of Wiptam
NJ. Oftey, superintendent OF the New
york bureau of Investigation OF tho
Department of Justice, that word was
being waited from Washington before
determining exactly what action would
| be taken here in the event that large
numbers Of saloons continued open in
| defiance Of the law. But the force which
Mr.. Ofiey has available for ramrod en-
forcement work is extremely small and
II is doubted II his Office could accom-
plish much prior to the passage or the
enforcement act by Congress.
1000 bars fn City.
There are 1868 bars in New York
city whose proprietors will have to de-
| eide between now and Tuesday morning
what line of conduct they intend pur-
suing. OF this number. $3.50 are sepa-
rate saloons and 1919 are attached to
hotels. In addition, there are $50 sec
ond class license holders here who sell
liquors not TO be drunk on the premises.
These include small grocery and delica-
lessen stores. and they will have to
abandon the liquor end OF their business
IL the prohibition programme goes
| through.
This was the distribution of the vari-
Gus classes OF liquor selling establish
ments In the five boroughs June /, ac-
cording to figures compiled by the Ex-
else Department: