approach me from behind and take me in an embrace in front of a bartender.

This chap gasped, "Oh, daddy, I don't know who you are, but I've got to have you."

I refused, so he gave me a very wet kiss on the neck and repaired to the men's room.

When the question of homosexuality has come up in one of the neighborhood places, I have gone out of my way to contact the bartender personally to point out that I was not seeking such attention, nor was I "cruising" as it were. This type of action has never straightened anything out. Instead, it has resulted in the disclosures I have made being spread as gossip through various drinking places and to bartenders, bar-flies, and "bartenders' buddies." In short, none of these steps has had one good effect in dealing with the situation of maintaining a good name in a neighborhoold bar. The bartenders and bar owners have but turned it into a dirty joke.

But what has happened to these three neighborhood bars and bartenders I have used as illustrations?

The bartender replacing Joe at the Sandy Jug requested that I not trade there. When I asked why, he stated that he was afraid I would approach one of his friends and he would have to explain. I stayed away for a while. He left the place, a woman took over the bar, and I am again a welcome customer as I had been for about six years previously.

I continued to have some trouble at Little Joe's. After an absence, Kenny returned and managed with a small investment to buy in as a partner. This place, after a long history of suspensions for serving minors and operating disorderly premises, had its license revoked on petition of several hundred people. The revocation was fought through the

courts and the decision of the Liquor Commission was reversed. The state feels that if it can again revoke the license that it might mean that the place could be cleared out of the neighborhood permanently. Rumor is that though the decision was reversed, the trial judge advised Kenny to leave town.

At least one of Little Joe's customers once made the remark to me that he had been with Kenny "that way" and that he was "really wonderful." Another bartender described the lad in my hearing as the "best" in town. I frankly would not know. I still go to the Western occasionally. At times I am welcomed and at times I am not. Apparently this depends on which attendant is at the door. Cassidy is still there, big mouth and all.

THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS WRONG

It is distressing that such things happen around public drinking places. My experience is not singular. I know others who have been imposed upon, slandered and abused in one way or another. I know of several women who have had their reputations unjustifiably damaged around bars.

A customer is not entitled to argue with a bartender. If one is actually attacked, he may defend himself only at the risk of getting into trouble with the law unless there in incontrovertible proof as to the aggravating party. As to slander, there is only the doubtful recourse through civil law. For aggravated assult, there is only the recourse through criminal law. To make an accusation of conducting disorderly premises hold against a place requires witnesses who are dependable. Even so, as a state administrator told me, it might not be possible to convince a board or jury against ly-

11