Double License, Double Trouble in Issaquah

The five saloon-keepers at Gilman—Isaac Cooper, Ben Gore, Louis Undine, George Davis and John Rowley—have made a demand upon the county commissioners for the return of $300 each, making a total of $1,500, which they paid into the treasury of King county last fall for the privilege of selling liquor for one year. Last fall the town of Gilman was not incorporated and the county commissioners granted licenses to the saloon-keepers on payment of the fee of $300 each. Three months ago the town of Gilman was incorporated and immediately an ordinance was passed giving the town absolute control of the liquor traffic. The town council simply ignored the licenses granted by the county and made a demand for the payment of a new license tax. The saloon-keepers absolutely refused to comply with the demand and were arrested and fined upon a charge of selling liquor without a license. The five saloon men were in communication with Prosecuting Attorney Miller yesterday and demanded protection from the Gilman town council. Mr. Miller says that the county cannot protect them from the town council, neither can the county hand back the money which they paid. The money, he argues, was paid under certain conditions and agreements which the present action of the Gilman council cannot legally change. Should an effort be made to prosecute the five saloon-keepers upon a state charge, Mr. Miller will refuse to file the complaints.