SMOKING UNLAWFUL

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 671, 3 April 1923, Page 6

SMOKING UNLAWFUL

UTAH’S "BLUE LAWS.”

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 22

The State of Utah, famed in American history for its notorious practice of polygamy, and other questionable actions on tho part of a certain section of its residents notably tho habit of divorce—has just decided to enter upon a reform regime and become one of the leading States of the Union in creating so-called "blue laws.” Among the blue laws ushered into existence anti now finding a place on the Statute Book is one forbidding die use of cigarettes and cigars or any other form of the "wood that comforts.

At the outset this anti-tobacco law was regarded its a huge joke, but the public quickly realised that the majesty of the law was not to be trifled with and three prominent Salt Lake citizens wore placed under arrest by deputy sheriffs in a city restaurant during the noon-hour, whilst a fourth man was later named in a warrant charging violation of that section of the State anti-cigarette law which pohibits smoking in public places. _ Ernest liamberger, Republican National Committeeman for Utah an unsuccessful Republican candidate for United States Senator at the last November eeleetiou; Edgar Newhouse, oliicial of the American Smelting and Refining Company, and John C. Lynch, local capitalist, were the men arrested in the cafe. Later a warrant was issued for A. N. MaKay, general manager of the Salt Lake Iribnno,, one of the principal journals of Western America. Bamberger, Lynch, and Nowhouse wore having their after-dinner smoke when the officers entered. Bamberger and Lynch were smoking cigars and Newhouse had a cigarette. McKay entered into the controversy on the ground that he had purchased a cigar at the restaurant counter and had lighted it before leaving the establishment. All four men wore released on their personal recognisance. _ Bamberger, Lynch and Newhouse were indignant at being publicly arrested, but otherwise they declined to comment on their “crime. McKay was notified by telephone that then 'was a warrant for him, and on the following morning he appeared before City Judge Noel and pleaded not guilty, fits trial was set ahead one week. The three other offenders were also i:i court to answer the charge preferred against them, and they were similarly remanded for a week,, j, The arrests were the “talk of the town, lint they were made in compliance with the announced intention of new county peace officers to enforce to the letter the provisions of the anti-cigarette law. Deputy sheriffs during the last few weeks have arrested scores of so-called “cigarette bootleggers,” and with the clamping down of “lid” prices have gone up accordingly. One shilling is the averare charged for a packet of twenty cigarettes, or about 100 per cent increase.