Minneapolis spokesman. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1962-06-01


ference were levied. after License
Inspector Russell r. Green recon-
mended to the May 23rd meeting
of the Minneapolis City Council
License Committee that the ap-
pliCation for license to operate a
cafe at the above address be
denied.
Wares partner in the restaurant
venture and fellow Black Muslin.
is Ronald (Ronnie X Critic, 7O1
Knox Av. N.
Green said his recommendation
was based upon an investigation
of Critics past criminal record
and the fact that heretofore the
operation of the 3Sth Street spot
has been a neighborhood nuisance.
Green said Critics affiliation with
the Black Muslims had nothing to
do with his recommendation to the
council.
Critic stated that since being
released from Saltwater nine
months ago, he has been a model
citizen and denied that his past
criminal record is the reason for
being refused a license. Critic
said, They are just using my
past as a scapegoat to prevent us
(the Black Muslimsl from getting
good foundation.D
Here are the details of the COM
plicated story in which the names
of some prominent Mill Citians
were raised: such names as 8th
Ward Alderman Elsa Johnson and
the Rev. Lowell Johnson, pastor of
st. Peters AME church.
Ronnie Critic, 27, applied for a
license to operate a restaurant at
3755 Fourth Av. s., on April %,
1862 and paid the SIS fee.
A couple of days later accord
ing to Critic, Police License In
speCtOr Russell Green called to set
up an appointment when he and
Critic could talk. May T. was
the date set.
At that meeting Critic said
Green asked him whether or not
liquor was going to be served, and
how late had he planned to keep
the place open.
Critic said he informed Green
that no liquor would be served;
and that he was not sure how long
the place would be kept open
but wanted the license for "a
hour period.
Critic said Green told him
about the police having trouble
at the Dreamland and about the
people in the neighborhood not
wanting the same kind of place
re-opened. Critic said Green told
him it might be wise to see 9Th
Ward Alderman Mrs. Elsa John
son, in whose ward the proposed
restaurant is located.
Then Green Is said to have asked
Critic about his police record,
which Critic admitted he had.
According to Critic, he did
nothing about following up Green's
suggestion that he seek Alderman
Johnson's approval. In fact, moth
ing more was done until he re-
ceived a letter stating that his
license application was coming be-
fore the City Council License Com
mittee, May %. 1t was then that
Critics partner, Willie Ware took
up the matter.
Due to having to work, Critic
had Ware attend the council meet
ing. However, Ware got the dates
mixed up and attended the May
oath ses0on.
Disappointed that Critics ap-
plication did not come up (un-
aware that the matter had been
settled the day before), Ware said
he approached License Inspector
Russell Green. According to Ware,
Green said no license would be
issued and rushed off. This en-
counter took place outside the City
Council Chambers.
1T was then" said Ware that
someone, whose name he does not
know, pulled him aside. Ware said
the man was tall with dark hair.
Ware said the man told him that
the people in the neighborhood
were fighting to keep the place
closed. The unknown man is said
to have told Ware to get a petit
ton signed by some people in the
neighborhood stating that they are
in favor of the restaurant. Also,
the stranger advised him to see
Alderman Johnson, Ware said.
The next day, May rs, Ware
said he went back to the court
house and spoke to Russell Green
in his office. It was then that