THE BELLEVUE STRATFORD HOTEL
Philadelphia
THE PROHIBITION YEARS
BELLEVUE AND RITZ BELLBOYS CAUGHT IN LIQUOR SEARCH
March 2nd 1924
Lads Employed by Supposed Patrons get Stuff and Drugs
LANDER'S LOCUST AND 13th YIELD BOTTLES AND JUGS
The war on illegal sales and possession of liquor was carried directly into the hotels of Philadelphia by General Butlers men
A bellboy from the Bellevue Stratford Hotel, one from the Ritz Carlton and Benjamin Lander, owner of the drug store at Thirteenth Locust streets and were held in heavy bail as the outcome of the Director’s warning that bootlegging in Philadelphia must stop.
Edward Mount of Tree Street a Bellevue Stratford Hotel Bellboy was summoned to the room of Mr Mansfield a registered patron of the hotel, Detective Manning sat with Mr. Mansfield
Can you get us some liquor Mount was asked, The boy thought he could he received $15 and disappeared and reappeared presently with a bottle the police say contained Gin, He said he had paid $12 for it. And the policeman gave him $2 tip and then arrested him
The same performance in the room of a Mr. Scofield at the Ritz Carlton resulted in arrest of James A Fried of Vine St.
Both boys said they got their liquor at the Lander Drug Store, A raid there a few minutes later netted nineteen bottles pint bottles and a large bottle of liquor
All three were arraigned before magistrate Pennock of city hall and were held for Grand Jury, Fried on $500 bail and the other two $600
ABBOTT HITS BROWN ON DRY CASE RULING
May 8th 1924
Legal Advisor to Butler Denounces “Misinterpretation” Which Freed Hotel Bellboy
DISREGARD IT, HIS ADVICE
Judge Charles L Brown of the Municipal Court was attacked today for having “Misinterpreted” the law to a jury, and police were advised to disregard his statements by Edwin M Abbot legal adviser to Director Butler of Public Safety
Mr Abbott referred to Judge Brown’s charge to the jury early this week which resulted in the acquittal of the Bellevue Stratford Hotel’s Bellboy, The first defendant to come to trial as a result of the activities of Director Butler’s soup and fish squad of detectives sent to “dry up” hotels and clubs. It was testified Edward Mount the bellboy was trapped by having a second agent of the department of public safety take an $8 room in the hotel for four days, pose as an out of town business man and send the boy out for liquor at $12 a quart. Finally a detective was called in and arrested the boy when he returned with the liquor.
Judge Brown denounced the Public Safety Department for using such measures
Scored them for failing to get the real bootleggers who provided the boy with the liquor and hinted at prosecution police by referring to the common crime of “barratry”- Inducing a person to violate the law in order to make an arrest
Mr Abbot assails the Judges knowledge of the law and his ethics in the case
Go about your own business without fear he advised the police “You are within the law in these methods and you can continue to use them.
Ignore the expressions of the character of that made by Judge Brown.
It was absolutely improper for Judge Brown to condemn the methods of the police in securing evidence in this case and to give the jury a charge which resulted in an acquittal when It was a clear case of guilt and the boy admitted obtaining liquor
The police in this case obtained their evidence in the only manner it can be obtained legally. The Judge should look up the law on, barratry .before be goes out of the way to charge a jury in such a manner as this.
A Judge on the bench is supposed to impartial. Whether he savors prohibition or not should have nothing to with his charge to the jury.
The police will follow every legal channel to obtain evidence against law breakers when they have evidence of law violation There should be more co-operation between the Judges.
If any Judge goes out of his way to cause a miscarriage of justice in a clear case he must hold himself responsible to the people and to public opinion.
The position special assistant district attorney assigned to advise the Director of Public Safety on law matters was created by Council yesterday.
Mr. Abbott has been serving without pay in virtually that capacity for two months, it is practically certain he will be appointed
CARNEY RAIDS THE RITZ AND THE BELLEVUE
November 12th 1925
Six Sailors and one Marine Arrested are freed by Magistrate Dougherty
JUDGE MIXED ON KANES
The Bellevue Stratford and the Ritz Carlton Hotels were raided early today with Magistrate Edward P Carney the “Dancing Judge” leading the police.
Armistice Day celebrations staged in the Bellevue-Stratford by sailors of the battleship Arkansas now at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, and in the Ritz Carlton by the British Officers Club, were interrupted when uniformed policemen arrived looking for liquor.
No arrests were made at the Ritz Carlton, Six sailors and one marine of the Arkansas were arrested at the Bellevue and discharged at the 20th and Fitzwater Sts. Station by Magistrate John Dougherty.
The spectacular raids by Judge Carney were admittedly in Retaliation for
a raid on November 9th on the Club
Madrid when 174 patrons were bundled into police wagons and taken to 7th
and Carpenter Sts. station.
At the hearing before Magistrate Dougherty today Judge Carney demanded that the
dance license of the
Bellevue be revoked by the Mayor
Mayor Kendrick revoked the Club Madrid dance license after police of Director Butler’s Unit 1 testified they saw Fawn Gray, a dancer gyrating in scanty attire.
The Seven defendants arraigned before Magistrate Dougherty were uncertain to their identity,
They had given the names, A S Larson, W G Wenning, A W Ledger, Burke Meeks, Neal Dorsey, George Mercy, and Robert F Meeks, later a marine.
Meeks the sailor and Meeks the Marine became confused as to which was which when both answered to the name of Burke Meeks.
When this was straightened out, Magistrate Carney took the witness stand to tell of the drinking he at seen at the armistice celebrations.
The Dancing Judge was none to sure about of the ranks of those he saw drinking, He called them Officers, Middies, Admirals, and even Generals, as the notion happened to strike him.
I am going to keep fighting until I have broken up this drinking in big Hotels, declared Caney, pounding Magistrate Dougherty desk during his testimony.
Carney testified he saw intoxicated navy men rolling out of the Ritz Carlton with their sea legs gone entirely and finally he said it got so bad he could not stand it any longer, and phoned to Director Butler’s unit No1 for a raiding party, more than an hour later he alleges, the raiders showed up. According to Carney the night manager of the Ritz stalled the police off, finally allowing them to go to the roof after all the patrons had fled. Foiled here Carney turned his attention to the Bellevue, across the street.
Testimony supporting Magistrate Carney’s charge that some in the Bellevue were intoxicated was given by Casper a detective at a hearing before Magistrate William F Beacon in the 19th and Buttonwood Sts. Station where Thomas McGaskill second class yeoman was turned over to his superior officers.
Casper said he had seen the sailor drinking out of a bottle.
I also helped carry five drunken sailors out of room 522 in the hotel, the detective added.
Lieutenant Adams of the U S S Arkansas who appeared for the defendant sailors at both hearings explained this room was used as a guard room, He assured Magistrate Beaton that McGaskill and other would face a court martial and if found guilty of drunkenness and disorderly conduct would be punished.
An officer from the Arkansas declared there was between 1,300 and 1,400 members of the crew at the Bellevue Stratford including several officers, In addition to that number he said we had detailed two officers and fifty one men to see that everything was orderly.
There was no trouble or wild drunkenness. Carney was sore because his raid on the Ritz flyvered
Captain Hubert Cooper, Headquarters staff 5th Australian Division denied there was any drunkenness at the banquet of the British Officers’ Club.
I have read with amazement the account of the raid by Magistrate Carney on the Ritz Carlton Hotel with the intention of raiding the Armistice night banquet of the British Officers’ Club he said
I had full charge of the arrangements for the banquet, and was at the hotel early that evening and remained throughout the banquet, leaving with the last officer.
The statement made concerning our banquet and attributed to Mr. Caney are absolutely incorrect.
It was impossible that numbers of intoxicated naval officers rolled out of the Ritz Carlton Hotel for there were only four naval officers present at the dinner. Three of the gentlemen left with me and the other left early.
If there was any necessity for us to be tipped off, the tip would have come to me, and such was not the case. The Banquet was an happy affair attended by over 100 gentlemen who fought overseas with the British Army and while there was a lot of singing, it is the usual custom at such celebrations as that of last night to sing the old war choruses which former servicemen hold very dear to their hearts.
The statement that the roof garden was in a condition of disorder is incorrect, neither chairs nor tables being overturned, nor was there any retreat of participants in the dinner on account of a threatened raid, I would like to inform the Magistrate Carney that British Officers’ do not retreat.
Nearly two years ago when General Butler first came to Philadelphia, He appealed to the citizens of this city to co-operate with the police force in upholding the law and order. At that time this club wrote a letter to General Butler assuring him of our co-operation and the members of the British Officer’s Club will not only co-operate with General Butler as far as upholding law and order in Philadelphia is concerned, but also as becomes earnest citizens in upholding the Constitution of the United States of America.
The only thing I am sorry about is that Mr. Carney never appeared personally at the Banquet to satisfy himself whether a drunken orgy was in progress or not.
Director Butler said an investigation of Carney’s charges is under way
I was in my office at City Hall when this whole thing happened said Director Butler, Twenty minutes after the police phoned and asked me what to do, and Magistrate Carney had his men.
All the men were out on their districts or patrolling the City and they were gathered together at the 20th and Berks Sts. Station, under unit 1.
I have ordered all the policemen engaged in this affair to make a report to me in writing. After reading the reports I will take the proper action, as I have always done in this city...
D. Conard night manager at the Bellevue Stratford insisted today the Arkansas dance was orderly. On the other hand, Casper, a detective of the 10th and Buttonwood Sts. Station, who took part in the raid, declared 400 of the 1300 guests were intoxicated.
It looked like a battleship turned inside out and upside down, said Casper, It was very disorderly. We got five of the sailors arrested in room 20 near the ballroom. McGaskill was picked up in a cloakroom with a flask to his mouth.
We made a through search of the Ritz and found it most orderly. There was one dance going on there, and everything was quiet and well conducted.
Conard said Carney descended on the Bellevue Stratford about 12 30am, He was just sore about his own pet place being raided. Conard said he was also sore because he never found anything at the Ritz. This dance here was absolutely orderly. Of course when army and navy men get together at a ball there are bound to be some flasks on hips. There was no disorder in the ballroom and no one was taken out the back way, as there is only one main staircase to the ballroom.
Murray the house detective said he did not have to warn anyone to get out of the room when Carney arrived.
Everyone knows that only naval offices have control over sailors anyhow, he said. We left this to the navy officers and they maintained perfect control. The crowd was orderly.
At the Ritz Carlton Hotel the manager declared Carney had not been inside the hotel .Judge Carney began his testimony by telling how he received a tip off there was drinking in the Ritz Carlton Hotel about 10 30 pm. He said he stood outside the hotel and saw twenty navy officers paralyzed drunk and dispute with a taxicab driver.
When the dancing judge reported this over the telephone to Lieutenant Kearns of Unit no1 the latter according to Carney sent a flock of photographers to the scene instead of the police.
The ballroom where the drinking was supposed to taking place was then visited and found to be deserted. Carney said someone had warned the party of the raid
At 12 20am Carney continued he visited the Bellevue Stratford where he and a police detail found 200 sailors and 100 woman in evening cloths many of them intoxicated, dancing.
On the floors we found whisky flasks and in the ante room there were 150 intoxicated couples dancing. Carney said he demanded the arrest of the dancers but the hotel detective shooed them out the back way instead.
He then told of seeing sailors in uniform carried out of the hotel on stretchers helplessly drunk.
The dancing judge wound up his statements by praising the police for their assistance and criticizing General Butler as a professional faker taking no interest in anything but his $15000 a year job.
SEVEN ARE FREED IN BELLEVUE RAID
November 12th 1925
Six Sailors and one marine released in custody to Ship’s Commander
CARNEY HITS POLICE DELAY
The Six Sailors and one marine arrested at an armistice Day Celebration in the Ballroom of the Bellevue Stratford Hotel last night on charges of intoxicating and disorderly conduct by raiders lead by magistrate Carney were discharged today at a hearing before Magistrate Dougherty in the 20th and Fitzwater Station
The men were released into the custody of Lieutenant Commander Earl W Mills of the U S S Arkansas now stationed at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. It is customary for navy authorities to discipline Sailors or Marines instead of city police meting out punishment to them.
The Sailors and Marine were attached to the Arkansas, There were two commissioned officers and fifty one enlisted men from the navy yard detailed for duty at the ball to preserve order, Commander Mills said.
The raid on the ballroom at the Bellevue Stratford and the Ritz-Carlton by policemen was lead by the militant Magistrate. No sign of liquor was found and no arrests were made at the Ritz and only a negligible quantity of liquor was found in the possession of a petty officer in the Bellevue Ballroom.
Petty Officer McGaskill who was arrested at the Bellevue had a hearing before Magistrate Beaton at the 10th and Buttonwood Streets Station this morning, He was discharged into the custody of Lieutenant Commander Mills, At this hearing Commander Mills explained that Room 220 from which the detectives said they carried several men was used as a guard room, and all sailors who misbehaved had been put in there.
As an aftermath, Carney this morning demanded that the dance licensee of the Bellevue-Stratford Ballroom be revoked by Mayor Kendrick.
Officials of the Ritz-Carlton today declared. There had been no raid there. Carney insisted that policemen acting under his orders had entered the place, but found no liquor
He charged that his coup had been tipped.
In Hospital for Treatment
One of the Sailors taken to the police station was later removed to the Clinic Hospital for treatment and then returned to the station, He gave his name as Ross E Meeks.
Others arrested who gave their grades as seaman were listed on the police docket as S Larson, W G Wemming, A W Ledger, Bert Meeks, Neal Dorsey, and George Mercy.
Magistrate Carney’s story of the affair follows
At 10 30 last night I received information that there was a gay party of Marine Offices on the roof of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, I walked around the place without entering it and saw about twenty men come out there intoxicated.
At 10 55 I called Lieutenant Kerns of Unit No1 and asked him to give me help, He said will I call him back in about 10 minutes, I said I would.
When I did he said he would have Sergeant Holand and five men at Broad and Locus Streets in a few minutes about twenty news paper men appeared, I don’t know where Kerns got them all, but he sure rounded them up.
At 11 55 one hour after I had first asked for help Sergeant Holand and two men from the 10th and Buttonwoods Streets Station, Casper and Mears appeared
I sent them into the Ritz, I did not go myself, before they went upstairs they spent about fifteen minutes wandering around the lobby looking for the manager, by the time they reached the room upstairs it was deserted, chairs and tables were upside down and it was pitch black.
Avoided Criticism This Time
The last time I raided the Ritz I was criticized for doing it myself, this time I decided to call in the police and you see what happened.
The n I sent the policemen over to the Bellevue where the Navy ball was in progress, they stayed inside for about twenty minutes and did nothing, I noticed a number of intoxicated men coming from the building and I ordered a motor cycle patrolman badge 585 to arrest two Sailors, He sad he could not do it as he had to watch his machine.
Then I went in the Ballroom myself, There was about 200 intoxicated Sailors and Marines both officers and enlisted men and some young girls, I saw about 500 empty whisky bottles lying around.
In an anteroom I counted one basket filled with100 bottles, I bought this out, and I went back in and found another basketful. The first basket I turned over to the police for evidence.
In one private anteroom I saw sailors spawned out, Sergeant Holand called headquarters for help, and I called for help none came.
At last at 1 50 when the party had just about broken up. Lieutenant Levy of the 20th and Fitzwater streets station and some patrolmen arrived.
Seven Sailors were locked up then, some of them were far gone, and we caught two sailors drinking from bottles.
If General Butler sees fit to place police in cafes and cabarets he should at least furnish police to stop parties such as these.
It is an outrage to arrest 174 of our leading citizens in a raid like this on the Club Madrid, and then permit drinking by navel officers
That party last night was the worst I ever saw, I am going to demand that the Mayor revoke the dancing licensee of that Ballroom
HOTEL RAID REPORT GIVEN TO KENDRICK
November 16 1925
Butler Presents Recommendation Based on Carney’s Night Round-up at Bellevue
ACTION UP TO THE MAYOR
Mayor Kendrick this afternoon received personally, from Director Butler the individual reports of police who accompanied Magistrate Edward P. Carney in his raid on the
Bellevue Stratford Hotel
The Magistrate and members of No.1 raided the hotel on the night of November 11, while an Armistice Day celebration was in progress Sailors and marines of the U.S.S Arkansas were giving a ball, and six sailors one marine were arrested, charged for illegal possession of liquor, all subsequently discharged.
Carney declared that he would demand that the Bellevue Stratford dance license be revoked. Director Butler following a brief conference with the Mayor, was asked whether he had any recommendations concerning the hotel's dance license
"Yes, I have but I have nothing to say he replied
“Everything must come from the Mayor”
Director Butler was accompanied in his visit to the Mayor's office by George W. Elliott, assistant direct of public safety, and Edwin M. Abbot special counsel, to the Department of Public-Safety.
Carney's spectacular raid on the Bellevue which followed a descent upon the Ritz-Carlton which netted no evidence of any violation of the prohibition laws, was admittedly in retaliation for a raid on the Club Madrid, November 9 The Club Madrid license was subsequently revoked by the Mayor.
It was charged upon that occasion that a Fawn Gray, a dancer appeared in scanty
Clothing, she was discharged by magistrate Falinestock. During this time 174 men and women were arrested only to be discharged the following morning.
The dance license of the Bellevue Stratford is a blanket one covering all dancing in the hotel. If it is cancelled, all dancing at the Bellevue-Stratford will cease.
KENDRICK STUDIES REPORT ON RAID MADE BY CARNEY
17th November 1925
Refuses to Intimate What Will Be Done About Visit to Hotel
Mayor Kendrick has under consideration the report by the Director of Public Safety on the raid made on the Bellevue Stratford Hotel by Magistrate Edward P Carney and several policemen.
Neither the Mayor nor the Director Butler would give any intimation of what the report contained or what recommendations would be made.
The Magistrate and members of Unit No1 raided the hotel on the night of November 11th while the Armistice Day celebrations were in progress, Sailors and Marines of the U S S Arkansas were giving a ball and six sailors and one marine were arrested, charged with illegal possession of liquor. All were subsequently discharged.
Carney declared he would demand that the Bellevue Stratford dance license be revoked.
Carney’s spectacular raid on the Bellevue which followed a descent on the Ritz Carlton which netted no evidence of any violation of the prohibition laws was admittedly in retaliation for the raid on the club Madrid, November 9th. The club license was subsequently revoked by the Mayor.
MAYOR WILL QUIZ CARNEY ON VARE
Magistrate Willing to Discuss Raids, Doubts He Will Go Kendrick's Office
"PLENTY MORE TO TELL:
Magistrate Edward P. Carney this afternoon indicated he is willing to accede to a desire by Mayor Kendrick for a quiz regarding the former's assertion that the sensational raid he made on the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, December 2 1925, was at the Instigation of U.S. Senator-elect William S. Vane and Recorder of Deed James M Hazlett, but doubts if he will go to the Mayor’s office.
The stormy petrel magistrate, whose latest purported revelation has cause much excitement in Republican organization circles, augmented his charges concerning the. Ritz-Carlton by declaring that Recorder Hazlett also was responsible for the raid Carney directed in the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel on Armistice Day 1925 while sailors and marines of U.S.S. Arkansas were giving a ball.
"It is very interesting, and I am going to talk to Carney about it, Mayor Kendrick said”
"Do you mean you will send for Magistrate Carney to come to your office?" the Mayor was asked. Yes, I propose to do that," Kendrick replied.
Carney, when seen later, had not received any summons.
"I have no objection to talking with the Mayor about this matter, but don’t see why I should go to his office," he said. "I live at the Sylvania Hotel have an office at 1429 Spring Garden St. and also sit in the police station at 20th and Buttonwood Sts."
The fact that the Mayor is likely to ignore the intimated invitation will not forestall future comment by the dancing judge," lie declared. He was told that comment was being made about City Hall concerning the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel raid.
"Yes, Hazlett told me to make that too." Carney, replied. "Everybody who knows me knows I would not have done those things on my own account.
The organization used me to pull those raids and has since given me a dirty deal because the Mayor was opposed to my re-election.
"I have plenty more to tell, but going to wait and see what replies they make in this matter."
Magistrate Carney said the hotel raid was ordered in an effort to destroy gubernatorial ambition of Mayor Kendrick.
Carney said Hazlett who is Vare’s closest lieutenant, asked him to make the raid after calling him to the Recorder's office in City Hall. Vare, then Congressman, left the office a few minutes before the 'Magistrate's arrival he declared. Carney acknowledged that it was only his guess that Vare inspired the Hazlett request.
The Magistrate said he had witnesses both to the Recorder's request and to an anxious telephone call he received from Hazlett after the raid. The telephone company records, he added furnished evidence of the call.
The Recorder of Deeds was highly elated when Carney reported he found liquor and evidences of drunkenness, the Magistrate declared, adding that Hazlett said, "Good work, Eddie this will be the making of you:"
Carney said he was making the disclosures now because he had been "double-crossed" after "the Vare crowd used me to put the bee on Kendrick." He asserted that Hazlett, after he agreed make the raid, had "tipped him off" the next society party at the Ritz and told him to go ahead the night of December 2, 1925.
Carney said his job was safe for another five years, and that by then. "A lot of these four-Flushing birds will be under the daisies. All they think about is feathering their own nests” Then he added "I was also ea to go over to City Hall to see Hazlett. This was when Director Butler, was demanding that the high toned places be compelled to shut off the booze the same as the ordinary saloons. He had the whole town yelling, and Kendrick "was having all he could do to prevent the General from running wild.
"I knew the crowd I was dealing with. I decided to have witnesses to anything that might come off when Hazlett and I got together. I didn't know what was coming, but I was wise enough to, be prepared for anything.
"So I took two personal friends over with me. I can produce them at the proper time. Bill Vane had ducked out of Hazlett's office just before I got there. I say he passed on the orders to Hazlett, and every person who knows anything about Philadelphia politics will agree with me. Never issued an order of his own in his life. Bill Vare has always pulled the strings on him.
"Well, I got there with my two 'friends, and Hazlett put up to me the job of pulling the raid. He said it would a big help to Vare and the organization, He left it up to me how to do it.
"He said the Ritz had been pulling big wine parties and getting away with murder, as far as the prohibition law was concerned. We talked about the row between the Mayor and Butler. I know the General had the town aroused against Kendrick.
"I left him with the understanding that I was to hear from him when the under-cover men would pass the tip on the next big blow-out at the Ritz.
"The tip came soon after that, and he told me, to make the raid. I took two men from my office and a couple of plain clothes men and pulled the trick. That put Kendrick in the soup which was what the Vare crowd wanted
Incidentally it cooked Butler's goose, because it was the one thing that induced the Mayor to fire his Director of Public Safety.
"It was all a political frame-up and they used me to pull their chestnuts out of the fire. I didn't get it then. I didn't see through it for some time later.
Under arrangements with Hazlett, I was to report to him how the raid turned out. He called me at the club Madrid, and I have the records of the Bell Telephone Company to prove it. And I also have the testimony of more than one person I had listen in on what Hazlett said from his house to me at the Madrid.
"He was in high spirits when I told him I had grabbed a lot of liquor and what evidence of drunkenness I had.
He congratulated me and told me it would be the making of me. He said they would never forget it."
POLICE SEIZE WHISKY FROM GUESTS AT HOTEL
April 2nd 1926
Inform Management of Use of Intoxicants before Confiscation
In accordance with an agreement which he entered with the hotel managers
In this city some weeks ago, Director Schofield, when informed last night that
Intoxicants were being consumed in a. private room in the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, ordered Inspector James Taylor to the hostelry and to so inform the management.
Accompanied by representatives of the hotel, the police officers visited the room and confiscated a quantity of whisky. No arrests were made and the incident passed without the knowledge of any of the patrons of the hotel.
WYNNE WARNS FOUR BIG HOTELS OF DRY VIOLATIONS
1930
Serves Final Notice on the Warwick, Sylvania, Adelphia and Walton and Chanticleer Restaurants
MAYOR TELLS MANAGERS HE 'WON'T BE GOAT' FOR THEM
Colonel Samuel O Wynne Federal prohibition administrator for this area this afternoon served "final notice" on four large hotels and a restaurants that the dry laws had been violated on their property.
Colonel Wynne, a short time earlier revealed that evidence his agents had collected would be turned over to United States Attorney Calvin S Boyer and future action left to the Prosecutor's discretion.
Colonel Wynne in statement said:
"Because of certain complaints and the reports of my assistant, Alexander P MacPhee, and his investigators, I have thought it proper to advise certain hotels and restaurants of the pro visions` of Section 21, title 22 of the national prohibition Act.
"Therefore I have had personal service made on the following hotels and restaurants that the national prohibition act has been violated on their property
"The Warwick Hotel
"The Sylvania Hotel
"The Walton Hotel.
"The Adelphia Hotel
''The Chanticleer Restaurant
"The Bellevue-Stratford Hotel has been advised that some of their Bellboys Are securing liquor for sale at the hotel.
"It is my intention to proceed against all persons and corporations who violate the National prohibition act.
It is our desire to be just and proper in our action, and, consequently, we are giving this timely notice now
Before making this formal statement public, Colonel Wynne said: "This is the final warning.
Declaring that he would not be "made a goat" in law enforcement.
Mayor Mackey denied that he had authorized a "wide open" city over the holidays.
The Mayor said he is in favor of brighter and breezier Philadelphia,. as when he has said before; but that behind the brighter lights he wants to see, there must be dry enforcement.
Liquor drinking he said with emphasis is not at all a necessary adjunct of an evening's fun.
Mr. Mackey's statement followed a noon-time conference with Director of the Public Safety Schofield and members of thee executive committee of the Hotelkeepers' Association.
The committee was called to the Mayor's office when Colonel Wynne threatened padlock actions as an aftermath of a wet New Year's Eve.
The committee consisted of Charles Duffy, Jr., manager of the Hotel Walton; J. P. Bonner, manager of the Sylvania, and Bennett E. TousIey, manager of the Warwick.
Mr. Mackey took pains to make clear that he had not summoned these men as the managers of their respective hotels, but that he had requested their presence as a committee, representing Philadelphia hotel men. Mr. fluffy, he said, was president of the association and the other committeemen directors of the organization.
After the conference, it was agreed.' by Mayor Mackey and Director Schofield, as well as the hotelmen that they would continue to exert every effort to prevent the drinking of liquor in public places
It is estimated that it would take just about three years to get control of the Alcohol and beer situation at its source- the manufactories. That control has been obtained in less than the estimated time.
"There will be continued close supervision of the alcohol permittees and
the elimination of the few remaining bad ones in the district.
"In view of these facts, and of some complaints which I had received recently had a quiet survey made of some of the leading hotels, restaurants I,and banquet halls in Philadelphia.
"This survey indicated that a great of hotels and the finer restaurants are making an earnest effort to prevent violations of the prohibition law on their property
Some of these hotels have cooperated to the extent that they notify me when, for instance, they have evidence of violations by their Bellboys. This has resulted in the arrest of Bellboys and the raiding of sources of supply.
"On the other hand, the survey shows that there are a number of our so-called leading hotels, restaurants and banquet halls which are not only not trying to prevent violations, but which actually encourage them to the extent of allowing their waiters to apply necessary articles in the serving of liquor and openly permitting guests to have liquor on tables.
"Therefore, this New Year's Eve I directed my assistant, Alexander P.Macphee, together with three or four other, investigators to check up on Hotels and restaurants in Philadelphia.
"These Investigators had no difficulty in buying liquor through the Bellboys in one of our leading hotels and, due as a result, they seized a large amount of liquor in, a drug store on S. Broad St., which undoubtedly was the source the of supply.
"These store, which had no permit had whisky and wine wrapped in pint packages for immediate delivery.
"The agents visited another central city hotel, where they obtained several bottles; partly filled with liquor, on the tables: where they found several city detectives on duty, and where the manager became highly indignant that there should be an inspection of the place since, he said, the Mayor had the assured him -there would be no inspection the
"They visited another central city hotel where they obtained evidences of violation of the liquor law, and observed many drunken parties.
"Another hotel was visited where they not only obtained bottle of whisky, but several bottles of Champagne. They had the same results visiting several restaurants.
"It also should be stated they went to several leading hotels, where, there was much
merrymaking but it was in good order and there was no sign of liquor.
"Conditions In this district among industrial alcohol maker, brewers and other former sources of supply have reached .a stage where we now direct some of our efforts to other things.
"Through the hearty co-operation of Major Schofield, the saloons in Philadelphia have been practically eliminated.
"It shall be our purpose now to require the finer hotels clubs and fraternal organizations to comply with the prohibition law.
“No promise of an open Town”
If anyone made a statement to Colonel Wynne or his agents that Mayor Mackey authorized a wide-open town, that statement was untruthful was unauthorized by me, and I defy anyone to prove it," the Ma)or said.
I want to say that neither the hotelkeepers nor any one else received any assurance from me and as far as I know from any one in my administration, of an open town during the holiday season, or at any time. Nor was there any information given by me that it would be all right to open up and that there would be no police interference.
."I am not going to permit Director Schofield or submit myself to be made a goat in the matter of law enforcement. Law enforcement in -this city is in the hands of. the Director. I had the fullest confidence in him last year, and I have the same confidence in him now.
“In no instance have I attempted to interfere with the administration of police department
A few days ago I conferred with Mr. Duffy, and asked him how many hotels were represented by the association. He said forty-three. Then I asked him to give the assessed valuation of the properties represented, i. which he said was $48,000,000.
"With such vast and important interests at stake, it hardly seemed likely that these business men would risk violation of the law.
"I received from Mr. Duffy assurance that the members of the association would co-operate with the police to the best of their ability toward law observance. And I have no evidence before me to show differently.
"So far as the Piccadilly matter is concerned, my position is that any wrong that may have been committed in that building is something that belongs in the past, and in no way reflects on any establishment that may be opened there in the future.
Will back proper places
"If that place or any other bona fide cafe or night club can be conducted in a proper manner, and it can be shown that drinking is not necessarily a part of clean enjoyment, and the establishment has proper financial backing, we are going to lend our support.
"But we're not going to permit any one with a few hundred dollars to start a fly-by-night cafe or restaurant and compete with these hotel men with their great holdings.
"If anyone considers liquor drinking a necessary adjunct of entertainment or dancing in public places, I want to impress upon them the fact the Director is prepared to enforce the law with my full support."
In conclusion, Mr. Mackey said he had been host to a supper party of 125 guests at the Bellevue-Stratford, New Year's Eve, and said that "a most delightful time" was had without the added stimulation of liquor.
Bennett E. Tousley, manager of the Warwick Hotel, gave out the following statement
"I visited the mayor's office this morning as a member of the Philadelphia Association committee and not manager of the Warwick Hotel. During the meeting, there was
absolutely no criticism of the New. Year's carnival at the Warwick, either Mr. Mackey or Director Schofield, or through any other source.
"Every effort was made by the management of the Warwick on New Year's Eve to forestall violation and apparently our efforts were successful. Both Mr. Mackey and Mr. Schofield gave my assurances of the fullest co-operation on the part of the Warwick in any of their efforts, and these assurances were renewed at this morning's meeting."
Colonel Wynne In announcing his intention to turn over to the U. S. Attorney here a huge batch of evidence said it had been collected over a considerable period of time by prohibition agents.
"I am turning' over this evidence said the dry chief, for the Federal District Attorney to use at his own discretion. I am convinced that none of these hotels actually sold the liquor to their guests and customers, but they are guilty just the same by the fact that they permitted their guests to bring it in to drink there."
In support of his action, Colonel Wynne pointed out a recent decision of Judge Charles S Hatfield, of the Supreme Court District of Columbia in which the jurist padlocked the famous La Paridis café in Washington. The cafe was owned and operated by the National Cafes which Mayor Davis was president, evidence to this case," Colonel Wynne said, "was exactly the same as we have obtained against the big hotels in downtown Philadelphia. No liquor ever was sold by the Washington cafe, but the prohibition, agents who visited the place over a period of six months saw liquor served to the guests, saw the manager of the establishment supply the ginger ale and cracked ice for high balls, and in one or two instances partook of the liquor.
"In the end this place was padlocked and is now out of business. There is a mistaken idea here in Philadelphia that a purchase of liquor is necessary before padlock action can be started, but this idea is wrong.
"The Philadelphia hotels 'which we've been investigating for some time and in which we seized a large amount of good liquor carried by the guests are subject to the same kind of prosecution. We know they did not sell the liquor, but they made no protest when the guests drank the liquor there. Moreover, they supplied the ginger ale and cracked ice."
It was said by Colonel Wynne that Philadelphia can expect closer attention from prohibition agents in the future, pointing out that much of their work in the past has been in other sections of Eastern Pennsylvania, Stopping the Flow at Source
"Three years ago," Colonel Wynne said when I assumed charge of the prohibition enforcement in this district
THE NATIONAL PROHIBITION LAW
HEARINGS before the SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY UNITED STATES SENATE - SIXTY-NINTH CONGRESS
April 5 to 24, 1926
No better substantiation of the definite
allegation of the increased drunkenness under the Volstead law can be presented
than the official police statistics of the city of Philadelphia. The efforts to
enforce prohibition in Philadelphia during the past two years were so sincere as
to attract the attention of the entire country.
General Smedley Darlington Butler, who served as director of public safety,
under a leave of absence from the United States Marine Corps, at the request of
Mayor Kendrick, was credited with absolute zeal in enforcing the law. Gifford
Pinchot, an acknowledged militant dry and a pronounced champion of drastic
prohibition, was Governor of Pennsylvania.
The Federal agencies, under the direction of Secretary of the Treasury Mellon,
were likewise vigorous toward making the act effective. However, with local,
State, and Federal authorities united to enforce prohibition, the increase in
drunkenness is demonstrated by police statistics.
