The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-01

wanted more time In which to learn
just how the situation was to work
itself out.
Privately expressed, the belief Of
the hotel men was that the burden
Of proof that 2.75 beer is not intoxi-
eating lay upon the liquor dealers,
and that until this is established 1t
would be unwise to do anything to
antagonize the Government officials.
This situation appeared to be true
last night only in respect to the hotels
Of the larger and better class, and
there was every indication that the
sale, Of beer in the great majority
Of saloons will continue to-day prac-
tically without interruption.
At the executive offices of the Hotel
Biltmore II was said last night that
the sale Of intoxicating liquors would
cease promptly at midnight In all the
hotels under the management Of John
NICE. Bowman. These include besides
tho Biltmore the Commodore, Manhat-
tan, Belmont, Murray Hill and An
sonia.
The following statements were Is
sued by hotel men last night:
Fred Wisehart, manager Hotel As
tor-"We didn't have enough liquor
left to accommodate our customers at
the bars to-day and had to send out
for more. We will obey the law to the
letter. It has been our observation
that 90 per cent. of the trouble caused
in hotels is through the sale Of liquor.
Some of the largest hotels in the coun-
try have made good without the sale
OF liquor, and don't think prohibition
is going to bother us to any extent.
We are going to comply with the law
and close the bar. We contemplate no
immediate change of rates"
Roy Carruthers, manager Of the
Pennsylvania Hotel II don't know
how much liquor we have left on hand.
We sold a lot to-day but we will posi-
lively sell no alcoholic drinks after
midnight"
At the Pennsylvania II was officially
stated that an increase in rates would
60 into effect Immediately. An inn
mense soda fountain has been installed
In the bar and exhibits every evidence
Of permanency. A list Of 100 soft
drinks and ices has been substituted
for the wine list which went into the
discard at midnight.
William H. Turner, manager OF the
Hotel Claridge. made this statement:
we will not sell drop of liquor af-
ter midnight We expect to do a fair
business in soft drinks. but are going
to stay within the law"
l. N. Boomer. managing director Of
the MeAlpin, Waldorf. Fifth Avenue and
Savarin Cafes and the Hotel Claridgc.
issued the following instructions last
night to his department heads and an
nounced that they would be lived up
to absolutely:
For your information and guidance:
At midnight. June 80. we will discon-
tinue the sale Of all beverages with al
coholic contents. This means literally
what is stated and includes wines and
beers"
1 Only. Soft Drinks at Churchilrs.
John C. Churchill. proprietor OF
Churchill's. said:
We will sell only Notwithstanding
drinks but OF course We are going to
keep open. We sell a million dollars
worth Of food a year and the quicker
some people realize that our business is
as legitimate as any other the better Il
will be for them and ourselves too The
big cafes do not depend on the sale OF
liquor We have a large stock on hand,
but viii comply with the law"
Copeland Townsend, proprietor Of the
Majestic, issued this statement:
Il do not intend to raise the prices of
either the room or the food on account
Of prohibition. While the closing of the
bar means loss of about $50, 900 profits
year, we shall try to make 1t up by
selling soft drinks. coffee. candy and the
like. Every hotels banquet department
will also suffer from prohibition. do
not look for the period OF dryness TO
last more than six weeks. The pen
dulum will then swing back as 1t should"
Manager Carruthers of the Pennsyl-
vania said that the loss of revenue
from the bar would cut down the hotels
gross business about Is per cent. but
would reduce the net profits probably
so per cent.
The situation with respect to the retail
liquor dealers was not easy to -4scertain
last night. 1t was announced, however,
IN behalf OF the ajority that the sale
of beer and such light wines as can be
regarded as Notwithstanding would con-
tinue as usual. 1t was said also that
the sale Of wines and liquors that will
not come under the general classification
OF non-intoxicants will also be con-
tinued when 1t can be shown that the
stun Is to be used for cooking, medicinal
or sacramento purposes.
The opinion was freely expressed last
night that this feature of the law leaves
the way open for a multitude OF viola
tilps and how II will eventually work
out ~ a matter of conjecture.
Decide to Sell After Conferences.
After an all day series of meetings
ard conferences with counsel the liquo-
men of New York city and vicinity de-
sided yesterday TO continue the sale of
light wines and the 2.75 per cent. beer
as long as war time prohibition remains
In effect
The chief organizations OF liquor deal
erB-the Hotel Mems Association of New
York city, the Retail Liquor Dealers AS
ISOLATION and the Society OF Restaura-
teurs-met TO hear the final word from
counsel to each. There was complete
fpen for business as usual, but to con-
Pine sales to 2.75 beer and non-intoxi-
eating wines.
Dealers are advised TO 20 ahead in
the belief that 1t finally will be demon
strated In the courts that beer with an
alcoholic content OF 2.75 per cent. is not
Intoxicating.
william II. Hirst. counsel for the So
ciety Of Restaurateurs, presented the
Following opinion to his clients and IL
was concurred in by George L. Donnel-
len. counsel for the retail dealers and by
frank A X Boland for the hotel men.