The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-26
SALOON KEEPERS
ARE DYING GAME
More Than 1000 in Manhat-
tan Renew Licenses Up to
January 16.
BOND ROW DETERs MANY
Borough Excise Offices Are
Swamped by Dispensers
of 2.75 Brew.

Lots OF hard names have been hurled
across the bar at New York's saloon
keepers by every class Of citizens. from
the white ribboned teetotaller to the
most confirmed saloonatic, but nobody
who watched applications for renewal OF
licenses come rolling in at the borough
excise offices yesterday could truthfully
assert the liquor men are cutters.
Despite the fact that business in the
saloons is now limited legally II not
actually to the sale Of AIS per cent.
beer and soft drinks, more than a thou
sand Manhattan saloons already have
put In their application for licenses to
do business until January 16, which is
the day when ]. Barleycorn draws his
last gasp. or possibly. gulp And John
T. McNeill. Deputy Excise Commis-
sioner, ls certain that by October 1,
when the present licenses expire, many
more saloons would have slgnified their
intention OF selling until the last minute.
There were 3.206 saloons operating In
Manhattan in October, 1918, and up to
date 226 have gone out OF business.
One reason why many OF the other 1000
saloons have not yet filed their applica-
tons is a disagreement with the bonding
companies. which have doubled the pre-
MUM for bonds.
Bonding Is Expensive.
The bonding companies asked the
trade to indemnify them against any
possible loss that the companies might
sustain by reason of the liquor dealer
IN to hA xrAIt, Naw
due by them to the State for which the
surety companies are liable in addition
to other risks, such as selling after
hours. on Sunday. and the like" said
Commissioner Mcneil in explaining the
situation. THE surety companies asked
that the individual dealers deposit with
them an amount representing twice the
largest sum they had paid the State
during any of the three quarters of the
year past. This the trade, through It's
representatives. refused to do, and hence
the surety companies doubled the
amount OF premium. II now costs $3.50
instead OF $50. For this reason many
of the saloon keepers are holding back
now. Prohibition, the high cost Of ma
terials OF all kinds, high wages, expir-
ing leases and the like will mean
substantial falling of in the number OF
saloons. however"
In Brooklyn many saloon keepers in
tend to keep on dealing 1t out over the
bar until the last minute Thus far
Pa saloon men have applied for licenses
Of the 1,0sS who were doing business in
October OF last year. Many more are
anticipated.
Liquor Stores Pass Out.
D. II. Ralston. Deputy Commissioner,
explained yesterday that the licenses
which will be issued are four month
licenses costing $500 instead of the
usual one year licenses costing $500.
Inquiry among the big brewing estab-
llRhments reveals that saloons In which
the brewers are interested or to which
they have loaned money to get started
are among those which are ho'ding on.
Liquor stores without bars seem to be
passing out.
Up in Westminster the situation may
we'll be viewed with alarm by the active
uembrs OF the poor mans club, for out
OF $40 liquor tax licenses outstanding
only eighteen have filed applications for
renewal. More are expected befo e the
end of the month, although usuqlly all
applications are In by September Is.
bond in the four cities of the county
his year costs $50, although formerly
II cost but $40, while in the villages $50
Is charged as against s25 formerly.
The opinion Is expressed that about half
the saloons finally will decide to stay
open until the end. None OF the lcens q
reid or controlled by brewing companies
has been turned in for renewal as yet.