The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1924-01-11
WINE AND BEER BUSINESS
KILLED IN CHICAGO DEvER
Heroic Chicago Mayor Scalped
Six Thousand Five Hundred
Booze Joints
LAW MUST BE ENFORCED
"If Every Citizen Voted Against
the Dry Law, Shall Still
Enforce It"


Mayor Dever addressed the Union
Ministers Association held under the
auspices of the Chicago Church Fed
Grafton on December 81. He dis
cussed the problems his adminstra.
ton had to face because OF the fact
that Chicago socially and politically
is in the grasp OF the most desperate
and evil gang OF criminals that ever
infested the city"
A large part of the address was de-
voted to a discussion of the bootleg
situation. He declared that the beer
and liquor traffic in Chicago is at an
end, that it is put out Of business. He
said:
Revoked 1900 Licenses
"There is hardly an important crime
committed that does not have its
source i'll the bootlegging traffic
There was only one thing to do when
| went into Office. Frankly, | had
learned SO much about it that ! was
fearful of what could be done, but this
much ] do say we have accomplished.
We have revoked 200 licenses, and OF
the six or seven thousand saloons that
eel, Iar
left today.
Declares Business Killed
I'VE have put all end to the beer and
liquor traffic in Chicago as a traffic
You know and l know that this bust
ness can not be carried on if it is seri-
ously intcrfered with"
Only One Question: What is the Law7
Mayor Dever added that the differ
encc in the price to the retailer
amounting to $50 or $40 barrel more
than the cost of manufacture OF beer
went where it would do the mos,
good"
For every barrel of beer sold, $50
or $40 is used in the endeavor to put
an end to the city administration" he
said.
That he has received piles of letters
every day telling OF vicious poolrooms
and saloons, and that every single
place so reported has been investigated
and raided was further statement he
made.
Notwithstanding that it is my duty
to enforce the law, I've met with tre-
mendous opposition from even moral
agencies" he continued. at has been
said in the newspapers that | said that
the easiest way to repeal the law was
to enforce it. never made any such
statement. I'm trying to keep out OF
this problem any personal opinion
whatever it may be. AS mayor / have
the right to ask only this question:
What is the law?' That is the only
question | have asked.
Had to Make Choice
"The work ! am trying to do ought
to be part of my days work and ought
to be OF no more comment than the
kind OF hat or coat | wear.
"If the public has the right to say
which law shall be enforced, that's the
end of all law. | hadn't been in Office
three months before | learned that
Chicago was socially and politically in
the grasp of the most evil and desper-
gang OF criminals that ever infested
city, criminals whose influence reached
into every stratum Of society, who have
corrupted state, county and municipal
officers, criminals who have become so
bold that not only did they transact
their business on the public streets but
shot one another down on the public
streets.
when | went into office ] had to
make choice between this great Grim
nal gang and the interests trying TO
uplift the city. have made my
choice"
Refused to Suggest Referendum
Mayor Devcr told of the proposal
made by the city council that the pro-
hibiton question be written in on the
ballot of the next popular election to
determine public opinion, which pro-
posal he had refused to suggest to the
city council.
But il that question were to be
placed on the ballot and if every man
and woman voted against my program
| should still enforce the law" he said,
and 800 ministers rose to their feet and
cheered.