Mountain town lifts 1948 restrictions on pool halls

“A 1948 law aimed at wiping out the scourge of billiards — by declaring pool and alcohol consumption mutually exclusive pastimes — was struck from the [Town of Franklin] code this month in a 5-1 vote by the town board.

“Until now, Franklin… prohibited swearing, trap doors, hidden stairways, panels and secret devices that could hide gambling parlors or places ‘where persons meet or congregate for immoral purposes.’

“The rules also prohibited pool halls from being located in back alleys and ordered the buildings to have plate glass windows facing the street….

“But, as Alderman Bob Scott pointed out, Franklin in 2013 is not the same as Franklin in 1948….’Folks, let’s face it, our demographics are changing,’ Scott said.”

— From “After 65 years, pool is back on the table for bars in Franklin” by Andrew Kasper in the Smoky Mountain News (July 10)