Camden Courier-Post, June 14, 1939View transcription
Drinks, Even If Free, Break Sunday Law
DRINKS, EVEN IF FREE, BREAK SUNDAY LAW
Service and Not Just Sale Called Wrong at Hearing of ABC Board
If you own a taproom and want to give your bosom pal or your wife's mother-in-law a drink at the bar on Sunday—don't do it. It's a violation of city ordinance.
The clink of a two-bit piece bouncing from the mahogany to the till isn't necessary to create the legal breach; the mere service of alcoholic beverage in licensed premises during restricted hours is all that's necessary for the loss or suspension of a license.
That formal ruling was made last night by the Camden Municipal Alcohol Beverage Control Board, where seven licensees accused of sale or service on Sunday, presented the plea they were "giving away" liquor. The board's ruling follows:
(Continued on Page 15—Column 5)
7 Cases Up for Ruling
The board ruled in a hectic session at the hearing last night as protests by property owners near Fifth and Pine streets also were made to the body. Decisions then will be handed down at future sessions as each case is individually considered. Action will clear up the decision on cases involving licenses of all types before July 10 at City Hall.
Walter Knopka, 1021 South Fourth street, applied for a transfer to his son. It developed into a row. Henry Knopka walked into his father's place before a bench full of friends to testify about a stirring cup on the house. According to the testimony of Louis Wood, William Brooks and Norman Shyer agreed that the drinks were there but that no members of the family were present.
John Revallo, 1186 Mechanic St, cited the spring session in Mechanic street, had a stirring cup on the house. According to the testimony of Louis Wood, William Brooks and Norman Shyer agreed that the drinks were not members of the family were present.
(Continued)
Property owners near Fifth and Pine streets made an informal protest in City Hall. Sixteen property owners of the neighborhood lined up before it to testify and twenty to thirty others stood up in the back of Council chamber to signify they held the same sentiment.
Joseph A. Ragan placed on his taproom, 607 Sylvan street, two detectives, Agents Schuyler and R. M. Sullivan were permitted to go to the place, were given beer, a bar and a table, and $41 in the register were taken when they were there, but they were making competitive bids on alteration of woodwork. A trap-door under the floor for the agents because he thought it might be a raid, and a $10 bill. Two glasses were from Saturday night's business, he said, and he hired the interior decorator-tender to clean up. The cash, he said, included $26 and receipts of change and payments for supplies. However, he pleaded not guilty to service or sale on Sunday. He was found not guilty.
Ragan admitted and Police Agent Rutkin testified he and Police Agent Sullivan were together the same Saturday night at the same hour at the Bader place. The information given was the same.
Lockwood and Myers testified there was no Sunday service of liquor in the bar of the Polish-American Citizens Club, 820 Mifflin avenue, on December 10. There they found a bartender who told them the club had been suspended twice for failure to sell or serve liquor during restricted hours. He also said he had no record of previous conviction for Sunday sale.
Myers said the next club was asked for which its license was suspended for sale.
Liquor as 'Medicine'
A bill for quinine, was specified, admitted by Nunzio Milana, 1924 Ferry avenue, who said he used it for medicine. He also pleaded not guilty to Sunday sale or service.
Thirty-six Support Plea
Sixteen property owners of the neighborhood lined up before it to testify and twenty to thirty others stood up in the back of Council chamber to signify they held the same sentiment.
The board granted new club licenses to the International Workmen's Council, 901 Berkley street, and the Walt Whitman Aristocrats, 1027 Lawrence street.
It transferred the license of the South Camden Bocce Club, Inc., 1029 South Third street; the license at 1418 Broadway from Charles DeLuca to Charles J. LeLuca and Joseph Garrido; the license at 324 South Fourth street from Michael Mignogna to Elvira Vari; that at 820 Mifflin avenue from the Stag Cafe, Inc., to Elizabeth Miller.
The meeting was conducted by the board chairman, Commissioner John L. Morrissey, Secretary Ann M. Baumgartner and Curtis A. Shelhart, Jr., and City Solicitor Assistant City Solicitor Edward V. Martino.
Service and Not Just Sale Called Wrong at Hearing of ABC Board
If you own a taproom and want to give your bosom pal or your wife's mother-in-law a drink at the bar on Sunday—don't do it. It's a violation of city ordinance.
The clink of a two-bit piece bouncing from the mahogany to the till isn't necessary to create the legal breach; the mere service of alcoholic beverage in licensed premises during restricted hours is all that's necessary for the loss or suspension of a license.
That formal ruling was made last night by the Camden Municipal Alcohol Beverage Control Board, where seven licensees accused of sale or service on Sunday, presented the plea they were "giving away" liquor. The board's ruling follows:
(Continued on Page 15—Column 5)
7 Cases Up for Ruling
The board ruled in a hectic session at the hearing last night as protests by property owners near Fifth and Pine streets also were made to the body. Decisions then will be handed down at future sessions as each case is individually considered. Action will clear up the decision on cases involving licenses of all types before July 10 at City Hall.
Walter Knopka, 1021 South Fourth street, applied for a transfer to his son. It developed into a row. Henry Knopka walked into his father's place before a bench full of friends to testify about a stirring cup on the house. According to the testimony of Louis Wood, William Brooks and Norman Shyer agreed that the drinks were there but that no members of the family were present.
John Revallo, 1186 Mechanic St, cited the spring session in Mechanic street, had a stirring cup on the house. According to the testimony of Louis Wood, William Brooks and Norman Shyer agreed that the drinks were not members of the family were present.
(Continued)
Property owners near Fifth and Pine streets made an informal protest in City Hall. Sixteen property owners of the neighborhood lined up before it to testify and twenty to thirty others stood up in the back of Council chamber to signify they held the same sentiment.
Joseph A. Ragan placed on his taproom, 607 Sylvan street, two detectives, Agents Schuyler and R. M. Sullivan were permitted to go to the place, were given beer, a bar and a table, and $41 in the register were taken when they were there, but they were making competitive bids on alteration of woodwork. A trap-door under the floor for the agents because he thought it might be a raid, and a $10 bill. Two glasses were from Saturday night's business, he said, and he hired the interior decorator-tender to clean up. The cash, he said, included $26 and receipts of change and payments for supplies. However, he pleaded not guilty to service or sale on Sunday. He was found not guilty.
Ragan admitted and Police Agent Rutkin testified he and Police Agent Sullivan were together the same Saturday night at the same hour at the Bader place. The information given was the same.
Lockwood and Myers testified there was no Sunday service of liquor in the bar of the Polish-American Citizens Club, 820 Mifflin avenue, on December 10. There they found a bartender who told them the club had been suspended twice for failure to sell or serve liquor during restricted hours. He also said he had no record of previous conviction for Sunday sale.
Myers said the next club was asked for which its license was suspended for sale.
Liquor as 'Medicine'
A bill for quinine, was specified, admitted by Nunzio Milana, 1924 Ferry avenue, who said he used it for medicine. He also pleaded not guilty to Sunday sale or service.
Thirty-six Support Plea
Sixteen property owners of the neighborhood lined up before it to testify and twenty to thirty others stood up in the back of Council chamber to signify they held the same sentiment.
The board granted new club licenses to the International Workmen's Council, 901 Berkley street, and the Walt Whitman Aristocrats, 1027 Lawrence street.
It transferred the license of the South Camden Bocce Club, Inc., 1029 South Third street; the license at 1418 Broadway from Charles DeLuca to Charles J. LeLuca and Joseph Garrido; the license at 324 South Fourth street from Michael Mignogna to Elvira Vari; that at 820 Mifflin avenue from the Stag Cafe, Inc., to Elizabeth Miller.
The meeting was conducted by the board chairman, Commissioner John L. Morrissey, Secretary Ann M. Baumgartner and Curtis A. Shelhart, Jr., and City Solicitor Assistant City Solicitor Edward V. Martino.
