The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-01-01

ticipated in other noise-making
Sheriff Omer Hawkins and four
squads reported things extra dry"
The squads made the rounds OF
barbecue dance halls and outly-
ing resorts at 1 a. m. with the
order "close up" and by a. m. the
places were dark. Liberty Beach,
dance resort on White River, north
of Ravenswood, was not open at
all, deputy sheriffs reported.
Police made few arrests. gathering
a total of fifteen for drunkenness
and ten others on other liquor
charges. Federal officers pulled an
Illegal merry party in full fight at
SO w. ST. Clair ST., arresting nine
persons on charges of operating a
blind tiger A Federal agent had pre-
viously bought evidence in the shape
OF white mule at the address. ac-
cording to Ansel r. Harris, Federal
prohibition director here.
Observers reported little effort
made on part of the police force to
arrest drunks, officers in uniform
drinking with merrymabers in one
place, 1t was said.
Drinking at Home
At the larger clubs and hotels,
while drinking was done, 1t was dry
compared to last years fling, accord
ing to the consensus Of opinion.
Many seemed to have done their
drinking at home and then to have
taken to their autos with their
Jugs" as motor cars whizzed about
the streets, beginning about mid
night, at high rates of speed. with
minor accidents numerous
The whole celebration, as Far as
booze was concerned, was late in
starting, Federal raids this week
and reports of poison booze cramp-
ing the merry-makers' style by
erecting mental hazard.
Downtown clubs were extra dry
until midnight, contrast to last
year. The Charleston was in full
swing at the lesser dance halls.
making it difficult to say whether
couple staggering was drunk or
just doing a new step.
ut was dry, I'll say dryY' declared
Deputy Sheriff Frank Kempf, who
was in charge of one Of the sheriff's
squads. Last year was a wet one.
and this was nothing compared to
it. l know, because was out on
duty both years. OF course there
was drinking going on, but it was a
dry celebration, in comparison"
Lasts to Daybreak
Thousands made an all-night az
fair of the celebration, and finished
the night frivolity at breakfast with
friends. Traffic was fairly heavy un-
til daybreak.
All night restaurants were crowd
ed between 4 and 6 a. m. by per-
sons in evening clothes.
A chorus girl With colorful make
up wearing mems short trousers
and suspenders over flannel shirt,
attracted considerable attention at
one place. Three men friends pro-
vided her with liquor, an observer
stated.
When greeted by friend she
threw her foot on the counter and
said "lOOk 4 have lost my heel"
White persons were permitted to
attend Negro cabarets on Indiana
Ave.
Liquor Hid
Quite a celebration was in prog
ress at a suburban cabaret when q
Times reporter entered shortly be-
fore midnight. The management
warned men to keep liquor hid as
they entered the checkroom.
Many persons ushered in
the new year with drinks at tables
with law enforcement officers pres.
ent, observers said. Women drank
as freely as men, both being taken
care of by friends who remained
sober in many cases. During the
evening about eight 'plain clothes
men" and ten uniformed police,
Federal agent and two deputy
sheriffs visited the place. The
Federal officer complained OF lack
of cooperation Of local police.
Harris said he would investigate.
The Federal agent was instructed
not to arrest persons seen drinking,
but to take their name. to be used
as witnesses in case the place is
padlocked, 1t was said
At 1870 a. M the greater part Of
the crowd had begun to sober up
and many returned to town for an
early breakfast.
Happy new year, old man" was
familiar greeting between stran-
gers who were intoxicated.