The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1920-10-03
PERMITS
TO BE REVOKED
Prohibition Director Soon to
Limit Number of Dealers
in State to 1000.
CHARGES LAW VIOLATION
Saloons Gradually Giving Up,
He Says-Asks Citizens to
Help Enforcement.

The permits now held by more than
400 wholesale liquor dealers will be re-
voked for infringements of the Vol
stead act, it was announced yesterday
by Charles r. O'Connor. State Prohi-
bition Director. These revocation pro-
ceedings, in which it has been recon-
mended that bond action also be taken,
are the result of a months intensive
examination into the places of business
of wholesale concerns whose permits
have been issued from the New York
city office.
Mr.. O'Connor further announced his
Intention to effect before the end Of the
year cut IN the number Of wholesale
dealers in the entire State which will
bring their total down to considerably
less than a thousand. At present no
more permits are being issued under re-
cent instructions from Washington.
which forblds the approval Of applica-
tions for permits until further notice.
Before the issuance OF this order 1,724
wholesalers permits had been granted In
the New York city district and 1875 in
the Albany district. which includes the
entire upstate territory.
The State Directors office is now start
ing upon an inspection and examination
OF the holders of manufacturing permits
Five such permits were issued IN the
New York district and sixteen UP State.
Many Permits Mt First.
I'm the early months OF the prohibi-
tion department, while II was INSULT
clently organized" Mr.. OConnor ex-
planned. permits were granted to near
ly every one who applied. with the re-
suit that many persons came into pos
session OF permits who were not en-
titled to them. One trouble about the
present situa ton Is that most OF the
persons applying for permits were new
TO the business and were unknown. so
that ordinary standards such as apply
TO the ordinary business house. known
to its associa tes, could not be aorlied.
Those who are abusing their per
mits we will get In time. | will be
glad to be informed Of any violations Of
the Federal prohibition act and any
other help which good citizens can rem
der this department, and welcome con-
structive criticism"
The saloons are waging losing fight
against the law. In Mr.. O'Connor's opin-
ion. THE majority Of them are closed"
he said. and whatever selling they may
be conducting now is under cover, be-
hind closed doors with stealth and at
almost q prohibitive price. The viola
tione which do exist In many Instances
are ma gnified because tho sale OF liquor
for beverage purposes is Illegal and
there Is the desire on the part of many
persons to criticise the new law.
TT will always be difflcult TO permit
the sale Of liquor and alcohol for me-
dcinal and manufacturing purposes
and not have these privileges abused In
some measure and some part OF the
liduor diverted to beverage purposes
But this result can and VIII ultimately
be accomplished 10 a reasonable extent.
This law brings n revolution In the
habits of the people and we should be
reasonable in what We expect"
The following permits were Issued by
the New York city office prior to the
Washington order. Manufacturers. 5:
wholesalers. 172i carriers. 475; import.
&; import and selling. 40; export, 3; ex-
rort and selling. 1S; use, i.9S; use and
selling. 1852: physicians. $3.50; removal,
l.932; miscellaneous uses In manufac-
tttre. IS.
Hobokcn Man Is Held.
"Everybody IN Hoboken is selling
booze" said Anton Letner proprietor
of Hoboken saloon. to United States
Commissioner Edward r. Stanton yes
terday. "Whv shouldn't IT. The COM
missioner corldn't see why and Leltner
was held in 81 ooo bail for hearing on
Tuesday. with his bartender. Richard
A. Dubowy he was arrested by detec-
tlvcs on a charge Of selinig liquor with
ONT n license. The arrest was made
under tho state law. the first Of its
kind in New Jersey since the prohibi-
,ion amendment went into effect.
MANY complaints had been made
against Lcitner, the police said. and
public Safety Commissioner Bernard
NrFeoly RECENTLY ordered Capt Dennis
sullivan OF the Second precinct. Ho-
bokon. 70 close the place. This was not
done and tho three patrolmen on the
beat are 70 be brought up on charses.
whom Pntrolman Schmidt went to tho
.oinon ,eaferdav he tactfully Inquired.