NAILING “AUNT JANE.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 925, 21 November 1933, Page 1

NAILING “AUNT JANE.”

Prohibition’s End Spells Doom of Border Resorts. SAN FRANCISCO, November 14. Hammer blows are resounding in many a bar of Tijuana, across the border in Mexico, and other such towns, for the daily invasion of thirsty citizens of the United States is nearing its close.. Thousands of motors crossed every day from Southern California into Mexico for hot and cold drinks, but to-day the Mexican bartenders are nailing up the shutters. For Tijuana (meaning in Spanish “ Aunt Jane ”), death appears to be drawing near and the interment is booked for December One result of United States Prohibition was the growth of a chain of drinking and gambling resorts, stretching all the 1600 miles of the Mexican border. “ Aunt Jane’s ' reputation was enhanced by her proximity to Hollywood, four hours away by motor, and the United States naval base at San Diego, sixteen miles away. Physically, Tijuana is a dusty and treeless collection of wooden shacks, in which the prices of liquor were extraordinarily high. SALOONS ALREADY OPEN. NEW YORK, November 12. Liquor-sellers are going ahead with business without waiting for the formal legislative repeal of Prohibition on December 5. Thousands of New York bars and restaurants set up competition against the speakeasies last night, and in New Orleans the old saloons were reopened and sold wine and beer and whisky just off the boat or bottled in bond. The law is still there. Shame on those who disobey it,” said the dwindling force of the Prohibition agents, but everywhere, from Maine to California, the story is the same.