The Mayor Moves to Shut the Dives and Gambling Rooms

The city council met in joint session last evening for the purpose of acting upon a message submitted by the mayor, relating to saloons and music halls. The message was as follows:

"It has come to my knowledge that this city has in times past and now is licensing a number of saloons, theaters and places of public resort and amusement which are frequented by minors and lewd women, and where women and girls solicit, for salary, commission or otherwise, the sale of intoxicating liquors, all of which is, in my opinion, contrary to law, public sentiment and the good order of the city.

"I am also informed that certain persons, duly licensed to sell intoxicating liquors, persistently attempt to conduct or allow to be conducted in their saloons or in rooms connected therewith or under their control gambling games and devices, contrary to the ordinances and the peace and good order of the city.

"Believing that those houses are inimical to the peace, morality and prosperity of the city, and that the revenue derived therefrom is more than offset by the extra police surveillance they entail, I earnestly urge upon your honorable body that you so amend the present ordinances governing the licensing of saloons and places of amusement as to carry into effect the following recommendations:

"First—That no theater or other place of public amusement having therein, or connected therewith, any saloon or bar for the sale of intoxicating liquors, or where women or girls are permitted to solicit for salary, commission or otherwise the sale of intoxicating liquors, or where lewd women are employed and allowed to frequent, shall be granted a license, and that licenses of all such places now in effect be revoked and all such places be declared public nuisances, their proprietors and managers being laid subject to heavy penalties for the further continuance of the same.

"Second—That the licenses of all saloons wherein women and girls are allowed to solicit, for salary, commission or otherwise, the sale of intoxicating liquors, or where lewd women and minors are allowed to frequent, shall be revoked.

"Third—That the licenses of all saloons wherein gambling games are conducted be revoked upon the conviction in any court of competent jurisdiction of any person or persons for conducting any gambling game therein, or upon proper showing being made to your honorable body."

An ordinance covering the suggestions made was introduced, passing the board of aldermen by a full vote. In the house Delegate Kistler moved that it be referred to a committee for investigation, but the bill passed.

The report of the examination on street improvement funds in account with city treasurers from August 19, 1886, to March 21, 1894, by Accountants Agnew and Robinson, was received and placed on file. The figures showed a net deficit against the accounts of former treasurers W. L. Ames and Adolph Krug of some $27,000.

The committee to which was referred the communications from property owners on Front and Second streets relative to pavement, reported that with one exception, in which improvement is not desired, all agree that vitrified brick is the proper material to be used. The report was adopted.

Mr. Hopkins, agent for the Sunset Telephone Company, appeared before the council and asked that, as the city was about to pave some of the streets, action on Mr. Piles' franchise as well as the new franchise which the Sunset would apply for, granting them the right to lay wires underground, should be delayed for two weeks, in order that their underground engineer could get here and make estimates. It was decided to act according to this plan.

In the board of aldermen the report of City Treasurer Atkinson was received, showing the cash in the different banks and in the city treasury amounting in all to $304,791.36. The following petitions were referred: Charles A. White, for the establishment of a fire hydrant at the corner of Rainier and Erie streets; Seattle and Eastern Construction Company, for rebate of taxes; S. G. Benedict, for rebate of grade tax.

Among the ordinances passed were one providing for the licensing and regulating of the public amusement known as the "merry-go-round"; one regulating and controlling places of amusement, circuses and side-shows and fixing the license fee; one authorizing the board of public works to expend not to exceed $175 for repairing the garbage scow slip; one authorizing the board of public works to erect water tanks on Queen Anne hill and in the City park; and one prohibiting the sale of unwholesome or adulterated food. Authority was also given the mayor and clerk to assign a claim against the North End bank for $25,078.68 to C. G. Perkins, trustee for the bondsmen of Adolph Krug, the amount having been paid by them to the city.

At the meeting of the board of public works, charges against City Engineer Thomson signed by Neal Boyle were read, alleging that money had been wasted through the incompetency of the city engineer. Commissioner Jackson moved to lay the charges on the table, stating that many of the things alleged were too plainly untrue to deserve consideration, and the charges were accordingly tabled.