Announcement by the Mayor
(Given to the Press April 17, 1917)

I have decided to cancel for the period of the war all existing all night licenses for the sale of 
intoxicating drinks. This action will become effective on May 1st, and applies to every place holding 
such a permit, whether it be a hotel, restaurant, saloon, cabaret or roof garden, and means that these 
places must all close promptly at the hour fixed by law, which is one o'clock.

This action I have taken because our country is now engaged in war, and a such a time it would seem 
not only lacking in good taste but in a proper sense of the present crisis for these places to remain 
open for dancing and drinking as heretofore. Such a thing would be most unfitting at a time when we are 
asking our young men to enlist in the Army and Navy and risk their lives in the defense of their country 
and when all the earnest men and women of the country arc devoting all their thoughts and energies to 
the service of the nation.

Frugality may shortly become a general necessity. It is well to begin its practice voluntarily and before 
necessity compels it. The conservation of our resources, national and personal, human and material, should 
begin now.

We have come to a time of national sacrifice. It is but proper that the people of this great city, which 
has led in the advocacy of national preparedness and the assertion of our national rights and ideals, 
should evidence their readiness to face the national crisis soberly and with some measure of personal 
self-sacrifice.

I am happy to be able to announce that my decision has met with the full approval of the representatives 
of the hotel and restaurant men's associations. They have promised me their complete co-operation in 
carrying it out. Like all good citizen they recognize the seemliness and necessity of this step.

While I have no legal authority to regulate the hours during which drinks may be served in private clubs, 
I am sure that the public spirit of club members throughout the city will dictate a voluntary compliance 
with the policy herein outlined. I, therefore, on behalf of the city government, call upon clubs to 
discontinue the sale or serving of alcoholic drinks after one o'clock A. M., beginning on May 1st, next.

John Purroy Mitchel
MAYOR
of New York