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Show EDITORIAL LET'S HAVE A HEARING THE BULLETIN' expresses complete disapproval of the Salt Lake City commission's negative action in regard to a petition protesting the granting of a Class "C" beer license to an establishment at 2168 Highland Drive. . The commission side-stepped the main purpose of the petition pe-tition which asked" for a public hearing. The commission, m a letter to John W. Houd, local attorney, said that "they are watching the operation of this tavern with great care and shoiuld its conduct not be in accord with the general public interest; suitable action will be promptly taken by the commission." com-mission." The city recorder, in another letter to Mr. Loud, said that the petition "was taken up and filed" since the city commission "has-received no complaints from the operation of this tavern." We don't know the exact number of people who signed the petition but we understand that -there were nearly 400. That sounds like ncarlv 400 complaints to us. And the commission com-mission says that they haven't had any! We agree that there has probably been no objection reach the ears of the city commission-on the way the beer parlor is being run, but we could easily take issue with the commission on the meaning of the word "operation." There arc hundreds of citizens that don't want it in "operation." They were the ones who asked for the hearing. And they were ignored. The stand of the petitioners was not based necessarily on the religious tenets of the predominant local faith1. One of the signers is the treasurer of Westminster College, P. M. Pontz. Herbert W. Reherd, chairman of the board and president pres-ident emeritus, also objected to the new beer parlor in the form of a letter to The Bulletin, saying: "I wish to commend you for your' excellent editorial opposing the granting of a license li-cense for a second beer parlor in the southeast area of the city. I- agree with you that 'a beer parlor comes under the heading of a community menace.' The business . ?) which such places bring to a community are a damage to the best interests of the real business enterprises of the area. I trust that the petition opposing the granting of a license will be liberally signed and will have compelling waight with the city commission." It is our humble opinion that the city belongs to the people. peo-ple. And in a very real way, Sugar ITouse belongs to us the citizens. This is our business district and we live in the lovely residential areas surrounding this business center. Therefore, we reiterate that we believe our collective voice should be heard. If at a public hearing the forces on the other side of the fence prove more numerous, we will submit to the will of the majority, for that is democracy. But no .one will know what the true sentiment is unless the public hearing -is held. Well, honorable members of the city commission, the next move is up to you. We hope you understand how we feel. |