Wallace v. Ford

21 F. Supp. 624, 1937 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1248
CourtDistrict Court, N.D. Texas
DecidedDecember 22, 1937
DocketNo. 3779-1035
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 21 F. Supp. 624 (Wallace v. Ford) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, N.D. Texas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Wallace v. Ford, 21 F. Supp. 624, 1937 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1248 (N.D. Tex. 1937).

Opinion

ATWELL, District Judge.

Complainants claim that they have an investment of $40,000. in furniture and fixtures, at a prominent point, called the Nite Spot, on Commerce street in the city of Dallas, where they have a permit to sell beer and wine. That their income in such business was about $250 per day prior to the beginning of a “sit-down” procedure by inspectors of the Texas Liquor Control Act, as amended, Vernon’s Ann.P.C. art. 666 — 1 et seq. That since such supervision began, their income is practically nothing, and that expenses largely exceed what they take in. They claim that the constant presence of many inspectors who “insult and intimidate customers” and spy upon what is taking place has resulted in that loss. That their presence is due to orders issued by the Liquor Board and Administrator, who are made respondents.

The respondents, under a rule to show cause why they should not be restrained, pleaded a series of violations and court proceedings, in the state jurisdiction, by and between law enforcement'officers and one of the interested parties in the Nite Spot, and at least one injunction case wherein both of the present operators were concerned. They also pleaded that a state court has heretofore enjoined the complainants from violating the Liquor Act and from interfering with inspection by officers operating under the authority of that act. They also suggest that since the complainants are already enjoined from interfering with the inspection by officers operating under the act, that this court has no authority to grant the prayer of the complainants to enjoin such operators, or inspectors from lawful activity.

This question of jurisdiction has attention first. I do not conceive that the [626]*626injunction of a state court which restrains the citizen from interfering with the lawful duty of an officer can be so stretched as to include unlawful acts by such officer. As, for instance, an- inspector who has a right to go into the premises of a licensee for the purpose of viewing what takes place there, would have no right to either “in•sult” or “intimidate” any person who is in such place, as a customer. That being the court’s view, the motions as to jurisdiction are overruled, temporarily, for the purpose of hearing such testimony as may be offered by the complainants and respondents.

The complainants present oral testimony from six witnesses. The respondents offer four witnesses, together with certain affi-davits.

The facts seem to indicate that there has been a more or less constant violation of the liquor laws of Texas at this particular location for a number of months. Complainants, as permittees, are entitled to traffic in wine and beer, but the servants, such as waitresses and bar tenders, functioning, of course, with the approval and, doubtless, by the order of the owner, or owners, served and sold what is called hard liquors, such as whisky and gin. Such sales were carried on by various forms of secrecy and deception. Some of the liquors confiscated were found under the bar, some behind a mirror, and in one or two other places. Sometimes the sales were made from the ladies’ rest room by a young woman who was scantily clad. The place seems to merit a lawful inspection by the officers. The, testimony does not disclose any “insulting” or “intimidating” of customers, unless, forsooth, such may be drawn by the sensitive patron from the presence of an officer who is seeking to find out what is being served to the customer. The customer who does not believe in the enforcement of the liquor laws and who would like to have a hard liquor with his meals, or, otherwise, probably resents such espionage. Upon at least one occasion the customer expressed his dislike, and probably upon many occasions they expressed their displeasure to the woman cashier as they left the place. As many as three inspectors are present all the time. When the shift is changed, the relieving and the relieved stand and converse for fifteen to twenty minutes, so that every four hours six or more are present. They sit, stand, and walk about- in the premises -Gdntinuously. The business of complainants has been seriously impaired by their activity and presence.

In 1935, the 44th Legislature, Second Called Session, passed the Texas Liquor Control Act. Chapter 467, arts. 1, 2. It covers forty-four pages. Article 666 — 1 et seq., Vernon’s Annotated Penal Code of Texas, Volume 1.

The second section of article 1, Vernon’s Ann.P.C. art. 666 — 2, provides that, “This entire act shall be deemed an exercise of the police power of the State for the protection of the welfare, health, peace, temperance, and safety of the people of the State, and all its provisions shall be liberally construed- for the accomplishment of that purpose.”

Section 5 of the article, as amended, Vernon’s Ann.P.C. art. 666: — 5, creates a Liquor Control Board of three members, and provides that its office shall be in the city of Austin, Tex. This board has the power to appoint an administrator, and the board or administrator may appoint inspectors and other employees to enforce the act.

Section 6, as amended, Vernon’s Ann.P. C. art. 666 — 6, defines the powers and duties of the board, among which are the duty “to supervise and regulate all licensees and permittees and their places of business in all matters affecting the general public.” Also, “to investigate and aid in the prosecution of violations of this Act.” And, “to cooperate in the prosecution of offenders.”

“To require by rule and regulation that any liquor sold in the State shall conform in all respects to the advertised quality of such product.” The right to make rules and regulations. To commission such inspectors and representatives as it deems necessary to enforce the provisions of the act. Such inspectors shall have the powers of a peace officer.

The board may refuse a permit if the applicant does not conduct his place in a way that promotes the health, peace, morals, and safety of the people. It may, upon its own motion, cancel a permit, or it must, upon the petition of certain city officials -who complain, fix a date for hearing and determine upon the cancellation of a permit.

Copies of papers on file with it, properly certified, are made admissible in evidence.

Section 13, as amended, Vernon’s Ann. P.C. art. 666 — 13, provides that the accept[627]*627anee of a permit or license constitutes an express agreement, and consent on the part of the permittee or the licensee that the board, any of its authorized representatives or agents, or any peace officer shall have at all times the right and privilege of freely entering upon the licensed premises for the purpose of conducting any investigation, or for inspecting said premises, and for the further purpose of performing any duty imposed upon the board, its representatives, or any peace officer by the act, or by any, rule and regulation of the board. It defines the alcoholic content of the wine and beer permitted to be sold under the retailers permit. Vernon’s Ann.P.C. art. 666 — 3.

Subsection (4) of section 17al, as added by Acts 1937, H.B. No. 5, § 22, Vernon’s Ann.P.C. art. 666 — 17al(4), provides that, “It shall be unlawful for any person operating under a permit under Article I, or Article II of this Act to refuse to allow the Board, or any authorized representative of said Board, or any peace officer upon request to make a full inspection or investigation of the licensed premises.”

Section 20a, as added by Acts 1937, II. B. No. 5, § 25, Vernon’s Ann.P.C. art.

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21 F. Supp. 624, 1937 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1248, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/wallace-v-ford-txnd-1937.