A look back in time

Demanding soft drink transparency

From the Jan. 24, 1925 Forest Parker, five years after the 18th Amendment took place which illegalized the manufacture, transportation and sale of alcohol:

Soft drink parlors in Forest Park, of which there are several in almost every block, may have to remove their carefully concealing curtains, partitions or other obstructions which prohibit a view of their interiors, if the Pioneer Men’s Club of Forest Park has its way. A letter was received from L.V. O’Reilly, secretary of the Men’s Club on Monday night … to ask the council for the passage of an ordinance prohibiting the use of curtains and obstructions.

Commissioner Michael Grisch was immediately on his feet favoring the removal of the soft drink curtains. 

“I think it is a good point, and we should eliminate these curtains and barriers to the vision,” Commissioner Brisch declared. “We ought to go right after this proposition and make them open up. If they are not saloons, then we will see that they have nothing to hide. There is one soft drink establishment on the south side, where the passersby can see everything that goes on.”

Commissioner Paul Zimmerman was on his feet to ask the opinion of the village attorney if there is any way to force owners to take down their heavy curtains.

“This should be done if they have nothing to hide and everything is legitimate,” Commissioner Zimmerman declared.

Upon a motion of Commissioner Michalsky, seconded by Commissioner Berkart, the communication of the Pioneer Men’s Club was received and placed on file. The motion was unanimously carried. 

Jill Wagner