The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1924-05-29
Take Vote at Hearing Be-
fore Council on PrOpOs-
ed Regulations.
ALL BACK REGULATION
All Present at Hearing Declare
Closer Regulation Is Needed;
Divided on Some Clauses.

Counting noses had to be resorted
to Monday evening at the hearing IN
the city council chamber on the pro
posed dance hall ordinance to de-
termine how the Kenoshans interested
in the proposed legislation stood on
certain clauses in it. More than one
hundred people representing various
churches, clubs, schools and also the
dance hall owners were crowded into
the hall and it was necessary on some
of the questions presented to call Tor
a standing vote to determine which
plan had the preference.
The hearing was called by the coun-
ell in order that the sentiment of the
public might. be learned regarding the
dance hall bill, which in the form it
has been drawn would charge a permit
fee of four dollars for each dance,
which falls under its provisions, this
fee to be used to pay for a censor to
be placed at the dance to see that all
are enforced.
Started by p. T. A.
The agitation for closer regulation
of dance halls in Kenosha was started
several months ago when petitions
were filed by the Parent-Teacher as
sociations of Kenosha asking that an
ordinance calling for closer regulation
be passed. The Woman's club, the
College club and other civic organiza-
lions Joined in these petitions. More
recently several of the churches have
Joined in the petition.
Practically all of those present at
the hearing agreed that there was i'm
mediate need for closer regulation of
the dance halls of Kenosha and the
difference of opinion came only on the
working out of the special clauses in
the ordinance. One person raised the
point that closer regulation of ordi-
nances now on the statutes might
solve the problem, but he was very
much in the minority.
Agree on Age Limit.
One of the questions discussed was
the age limit to be established at the
public halls. 1t was agreed that the
ordinance should carry clause. stating
that no one under eighteen, unless ac-
by a parent or chaperon,
should be allowed in the dance. 1t
should be the age limit, but after a
long discussion, eighteen years of age
seemed to have the preference.
Another point debated was the clos
ing hour; midnight was suggested as
the time to be prescribed in the law
and this appeared to be supported by
the largest number at the hearing.
Several maintained that one o'clock
would be a better hour for with a
midnight closing hour, some of the
dancers would go to another dance in
the county or some other city even
after that hour and thus defeat the
purpose of the bill.
Private Dances Suggested. 1
The point on which the greater
amount of the discussion conferred was
regarding whether or not there should
be an amendment exempting from the
jurisdiction of the ordinance any
dances held by lodges, schools, or
churches or private dance at home.
consensus of opinion that such dances
should be exempted only when they
we're for only the members of the
and were in no way COM
even though the money was
to be given to charity or some other
worthy cause.
1t was on this amendment that the
vote was so close that it was neces-
sary to take a count of those for
and against the proposal.
The council took under advisement
the proposed ordinance assuring those
who had attended the hearing that the
which had taken place
would be taken into consideration in
taking final action on the ordinance.
Was Representative Hearing.
"There is no intention in this ordi-
nance to eliminate dancing or dance
halls, but to regulate them so that
they are safe to attend" said Mr.. AL
ford. ave desire to get an ordinance
which will have public opinion behind
it End at the same time be a real
protection to the young people of the
,ative gathering here this evening and
he deliberations will help the coun-
I'll in reaching a decision on the
ordinance"
Among those who took part in the
discussion of the proposed ordinance
1T the hearing were ministers, teach
srs, social workers, leaders of various
'entatives of dance hall owners and
If the musicians.