Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-05-16

IHE COMMISSIONER CROSS-EXANINED-
STORY OF THE DEFENDANT IN THE CASE.
The case of Joseph E. Mehler who sue
ceeded Solari Bros, again called in the
Police Court this morning. This is the only
case Of the kind ever brought to the attention
Of the court. The defendant was first granted
liquor license. which afterward revoked
by the Commissioners, and the defendant was
accused of conducting a saloon without a
license. Mr.. j. ]. johnson appeared for the
defendant and Mr.. Shillington represented the
District.
COMMISSIONER WEBB A WITNESS.
Commissioner Webb was called as a witness.
He testified that in making the liquor regula-
tons the Commissioners reserved the right of
revocation of licenses and of refusal to grant
license as to place as well as to a person.
That question, he said, is still an open one the
courts not having decided upon that point. The
place in question was known as Solaris'. 1t has
been a VIGOROUSLY bad place so far as the OBJ
servance OF the law is concerned. The license
was refused and transfer was made from one
Solari to another, and again a transfer was
made to still another Solari. This year the
license to the Solaris was finally refused The
Commissioners thought they had a right to re-
fuse license on such grounds.
THE COMPACT WITH MR.. MEHIER.
tinued the witness. Mehler had letter from
gentleman in New York certifying to his good
character. He ente rcd into an agreement TO
remove the name of Solari from the building
and also that he would not employ any of the
Solaris In the house. Witness said that the
license was not revoked for violation of the
printed conditions on the face of the license
but because of Mehlers false representations
made at the time the license was granted
MR.. WEBB CRoss-ExAMINED.
On crOss-examination witness said that his
knowledge concerning the character Of the
house came to the Commissioners through the
police; that the pool-room was kept open on
Sunday. and that the house was also kept open
on that day Of the week under the pretext of
keeping dining room.
Mr.. johnson asked witness il he did not
think il an extraordinary proceedidg to pre-
vent the employment of certain persons
Witness replied that the action of the Com
missioners was with reference to Mehler and
not to Solari.
.On what act of Congress do You base YOUR
authority for making these regulatlons?" asked
II really haven't looked into the matter he
replied.
Then, as / understand it, said Mr.. johnson,
you claim the right to compel the change of a
name OF a hotel when it becomes obnoxious to
you Is that fact?'
NO, replied the Commissioner. Not be-
cause IL Is OBNOXIOUS to me. but when il be-
comes obnoxious to the public"
Witness said that the Commissioners cot
their power for their action in this case from
the law giving them the power to grant
licenses.
THE DEFENDANT TESTIFIED
that when he was granted the license he signed
certain conditions imposed upon him by Com
missioner Webb. He learned that the Commits
sioners had given his house bad reputation.
He saw the persons who visited the house and
among them were Senators and Representatives.
he said he took down all the signs on which
were the initials of the Solaris, but he did not
take down the large sign bearing the name OF
the house. He said that he has never violated
any law with the exception of keeping open on
Inauguration Sunday. He said that he COM
Piled with all the requirements except to dis
charge Mr.. Solari within three months, and he
intended to keep him four months as he (de-
fendant wanted TO familiarize himself with
the business. Witness said that he had not dis
charged any Of the Solaris nor does he intend
to do 50 as long as they behave themselves.
FINE OF s105 AND AN APPEAL
After arguments by counsel il was agreed
that the court should give judgment against
the defendant in order that the point in ques-
ton might be settled by the District Supreme
Court. fine Of S1o5 was imposed and the
case was appealed.
As MINUTES TO BALrrxoRE--In the schedule
Of "A daily trains Washington to Baltimore via
B. 4 o. are that make the run in As minutes,
in 50 minutes. and in one hour.
- Coward and upward 10 the motto Of
TIE EVENING star. Onward in its extending
influence, upward in its circulation and adver.
Using business The increase Is q steady