" Graft" in New York,

Horowhenua Chronicle, 3 May 1910, Page 4

" Graft" in New York,

According to statements published by tlio " Tribune " kind oither loading newspapers, Mayor Gayuor will endeavour to abolish the system prevalent in New York and other American cities under which liquor dealers nind some other persons pay money to the police "for protection." In this sense "protection" means freedom to infringo the law by serving drink on Sundays, and, finlt'her, it means that in case of trouble the police will be with and not against tho offenders. In some of the big cities'the "liquor graft," «.s it is called, is the biggest perquisite of the police force, and is collected over the bar by police representatives, just as regularly as the gas bill. It is estimated 'by the "New York American" that' the police-grafters will lose £100,000 a year directly the levy upon the sal•oojis ceases, and the complaint from superintendents down ito the humblest hobbies will be loud. In return for an agreement stipulating that public-house proprietors will refrain from corrupting the police by paying "assessments," as they are called, tho "Now York American" understands thalfc Sunday opening will be permitted, provided "that a semblance of decency is kept up," which means that the front doors of saloons must be lockod, th'o customers entering by tho rear. It also means ithat 110 drink is to bo served without food, which may mean a property snndwicli, a hard biscuit, or an antiquated sausage, all of which are religiously paraded hy the barman, hut never eaten. Mr Gaynor is trying to make the city «s clean and respectable as London, but it is an uphill task in (the face of old customs, which die hard. If it is successful, Mir Gaynor's attempt to abolish "policb graft" in the American metropolis will douibtless he imitated in tho provinces.—Telegraph's correspondent.