Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-01
THE HIGH LICENSE LAW.
Changes In Liquor License Laws Recon-
mended by the Commissioners.

In forwarding TO Congress the new bill fol
regulating the sale Of intoxicating liquors in
the District of Columbia the Commissioner
call attention to the points in which it differs
from the existing laws and regulations and give
the reasons for these changes, As follows:
Section !. This section relates to Wholesale
licenses and places the license fee at $500 in
stead of s25 as at present. and also makes the
granting of the license subject to the approval
of the Commissioners, which is now somewhat
in doubt.
The small fee now charged for a wholesale
license is an inducement TO the keeper of every
grocery store to take out a wholesale liquor
license. no consent Of the neighboring resi-
cents being required The fee should be at
least Onehalf of that fol-. retail license, which
.his bill proposes to raise to 5000.
Section 2 This section relates to retail
licenses. II raises the license fee to $500 (from
$l00); il requires the consent OF two-thirds OF
the neighboring residents and property owners
instead of a majority, and 1t makes the pos
session of the appliances for carrying on a re-
tail liquor business prima facie evidence that
such business Is carried on. The other provi-
sions are the same as at presen MT The Com
missioners are of the opinion that each OF these
changes is a great Improvement and that the
first and the last are essential to a proper regu-
lation of the liquor traffic. AS for the second
item the Commissioners do not think q bar
room should be permitted where nearly half
the neighbOring resid .hts are opposed to 1t.
Section 3. This sectla1 provides the penal
ties for violating this ac,. For the first offense
there is a fine of from 300 TO 5000. For a sec
Ond Offense the penalty is nearly doubled and
there is added committal to the Washington Asy-
lum for from six to twelve months at hard
labor unless the fine is paid sooner.
The present fines are so small that the liquor
sellers can profitably violate the laws persist
anti " md he mes W
Commissioners think that the penalty should
be sufficiently great to make il to the interest
of the dealer to comply with the law. TO pre-
vent the licenses being taken out In the name
of irresponsible parties they think il essential
that the convicted party should be committed
TO the Washington Asylum at hard labor in case
of 3 second offense until the fine is paid.
Section 4. This section states the classes of
persons and places to which licenses shall not
be granted. and is practically the same as now
provided by regulation.
Section 5. This section provides that any ap-
plieant for or holder OF q license shall permit
the police or agents of the Commissioners full
opportunity to examine his premises at any
time. This the Commissioners think essential
to a proper regulation of the liquor traffic. It
provides that on refusal to comply with this
section the Commissioners may annul the
license.
Section 6. This section is the same as exist
ing law.
section z. This section Is the same as exist
ing regulations.
Section 3. This section prohibits the employ
ment of females. excepting the wife and
daughters of the proprietor In bar rooms and
prohibits the playing of pool. billiards or other
games in a room where liquors are sold. The
Commissioners consider these prohibitions very
important to the proper regulation Of the liquor
traffic.
Section 8. This section provides that the ad-
vertising of liquors by signs or otherwise out
side or inside of any unlicensed place shall be
taken to be the selling of liquor for the pur-
poses of this act. and also authorizes the ex-
animation of any premises by the police, under
the order of the Commissioners, where there is
a reason to believe that liquors are being sold
IN violation of law. Without this section it is
practically impossible to prevent the unlicensed
sale of liquors.
Section 10. This section limits the number of
retail licenses IN the District to 400. whereas
there are now about twice that number. and
also gives the Commissioners full discretionary
power to grant or refuse Wholesale and retail
licenses. The number of saloons is far too
great and the Commissioners are of opinion
that 400 saloons are amply sufficient for the Dis
trict. The limitation by law Of the number
performance of their duties.
Section IL. This section is practically the
same as existing regulations.
Section II This simply repeats conflicting
laws.