The Tomahawk., 1923-05-10
Law Regardingl
Public Dances,

oI Lne recently enacted dance
law" which takes effect June 1st:
Chapter 139, Laws 1923 IS an act
defining and regulating public
dances, providing for the issuance
of permits and fixed penalty for
violations.
"A public dance is defined as
any dance wherein the public may
participate by payment, either
directly or indirectly or by mem
bership in a club. No public dance
can be held without license and
city, village and town authorities
are authorized to license public
dances, either single dances or for
a stated time, the license fees& to
be set by the local authorities.
The application for license must
be passed on by the whole govern
ing board and may be referred to
the Sheriff or to the Chief Peace
officer for his approval. The ap-
plicant pays for the expense of
investigation in connection with
his application and the permit
issued must be kept posted during
the dance, the licensee being held
to full responsibility for the con-
duct of the dance.
The applicant for license must
have the sworn approval of two
freeholders and that he is of good
moral character and reputation in
the community where he lives and
has not been convicted of crime
within five years of such appliea-
ton. The place where the dance
is to be conducted must eontpiy
with stringent regulations for
sanitary facilities, toilets, lights
and ventilation. License may be
revoked whenever it appears that
the dances are not conducted in
accordance with the provisions of
the law and if it contributes to
immortality then the duty to re-
woke is made mandatory upon the
governing body. The use of in.
toxicating liquors within a thous.
and feet of the dancing place is
cause for revocation. Immodest
dancing or rude, boisterour, OBJ.
scene or indecent conduct at dances
is prohibited and is charged to the
holder of the license and the place
of dancing must be brightly illum,
mated while in public use. The
licensee is held 70 strict account
ability for the character of persons
permitted at the place and for
their conduct and 10 unmarried
persons under the age of sixteen
years, unless such person is &C.
companied by parent or guard.
ian, must be admitted; nor any un.
married person more than sixteen
years and under the age of eigh.
teen years unless accompanied by
a parent or guardian or who pre-.
sents the written consent by par.
ent or guardian which must be
delivered to the officer present at
the dance and such consent re-
tanned by such officer.
An officer of the law must be
present during all the time of the
daoce and his fees and expenses
must be paid in advance by the
licensee. Such officer is to be
designated by the Sheriff of the
county for townships, and by the
chief peace officer in cities and
villages. Saturday dances must
close at 1900 P. NJ. and the public
authorities may fix the hours for
dances by ordinance, resolution s0r
hy- louc opd Sun1av Jopooa ,oo,
be prohibited altogether. Five or
more freeholders may file com
plant with Town Boards and Vii
lage and City Councils for revoca-
tion of licenses and appeals may
be taken to the County Board if
local authorities neglect 10 act.
The County Attorney Is charged
with the enforcement of the law
and t. prosecute all violations.
Violations Of the act are made
misdemeanors,o