Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-18


q large increase, the committee thought, was
unjust.
Commissioner Douglass said in this connec-
ton that he would like to have q smaller
license here for beer, but thought $500 should
be the license fee for the Wholesale sale OF fer
mented liquors.
Commissioner Robert spoke strongly against
any reduction from the fee named
in the bill. His experience had been
among the police that wholesale places gave
them more trouble than retail places and as
far as he was concerned he was in favor of max
ing the license fees for both Wholesale and re-
tail licenses the same.
The Commissioners made note of the amend
ments and promised to discuss them together.
THE RETAIL LICENSE FEE DISCUSSED.
Then section was taken up, requiring that
all retail places pay license fee Of 5000. Tho
amendments suggested were a reduction to
$3.50 and the striking out Of that clause requir-
ing the approval Of two-thirds of the persons
owning property and the residents to the Ii
cense instead of majority as heretofore.
Section 3, which requires, among other
things, that all bar rooms be closed at mid
night, brought out considerable discussion.
MIR. Heurich called attention to the fact that
the Saengerbund and the Scheutzen Verein on
giving their annual balls did not commence
until 10 o'clock. Now, under the law as set
forth in the bill, the people could not get
drink after midnight.
He suggested the following amendment, which
the Commissioners will consider: Except such
places where social gatherings are conducted
ilege shall only be granted upon the written
permit Of one Of the Commissioners Of the
District of Columbia"
The amendments suggested to section 4 re-
duce the fine for selling liquor without a
license from $500 to 800 and the penalty from
NJ losa han al fha
year to not less than one month nor more than
one year.
THE LICENSE FORFEITURE SECTION.
There was quite lively discussion when Sec
ton was considered. This section provides
among other things that after person has OBJ
tanned q license and violates any Of its pro-
visions he shall DO subject to a fine of not less
than 800 nor more than $500, and for sec
ond offense. in addition to the same fine. he
liable to imprisonment for q period Of not
less than six months nor more than
one year and his license shall be revoked by
the Commissioners. The committee suggested
an amendment whereby fine Of 800 for the
first offensc would be imposed and for n second
offense forfeiture OF the license.
Section was passed without any amend
ment being offered.
Section I. That if any policeman or other
peace officer Of the District Of Columbia shall
willfully neglect or refuse to perform any
sale Of liquors or license therefor
in the District, he shall be deemed
guilty of malfeasance in Office, and shall be
thereafter disqualified from holding the same
or any other office of trust or profit under the
government Of said District for the next ensu-
ing five years after his conviction.
STRONG OBJECTION TO THIS SECTION
There WAS strong objection on the part Of
the committee to this section. They thought
that the section was unjust. They recon-
mended, however, that the penalty be reduced
to one year. Objection also urged against
the provisions Of section 8, which contains d
clause. az the present law does, making it I'M
lawful for any person to have license whose
place of business is within 400 feet Of u school
house.
MIR. Michigan smoke for the committee and
pointed out the Injustice of the clause. He
suggested an amendment which excluded those
persons at present doing business within 400
feet of school house from the provisions of
the clause.
In the same section is the clauye which pre-
hibits the granting OF u liquor license to those
persons who have sold liquor during the pre-
ceding license year to any inmate Of the Sol
diers' Home or any habitual drunkard. The
an neutrality-suspicious. the introduction Of the
words known before climate of the Soldiers
Home" and ''habitual drunkard." Such an
amendment was necessary, the gentlemen
thought In the case of an inmate Of the
casions bartenders sold liquor to them and
were rot aware who they were selling to. as
their Dire IS on these occasions Was the same as
that of civilians. Section . suited the commit
tee and they suggested no amendment.
As TO POLICE EXAMINATION.
There was more opposition on the part of the
committee to section 10 than to any Of the other
provisions of the bill This section allows the
police full opportunity to examine premises
tcer mr. tn hfa Gca So1 nj irun
The discussion was OH this clause OF the Sec
ton. Mr.. Madigan, speaking for the
committee. said that such pro-
vision gave the police too much power;
to get a drink, and altogether it was inquisi-
torial and not just. The committee he said,
had an amendment to offer which would, he
thought, I'LL the requirements and intent Of the
| clause, and that was to allow the Police Court
power, upon written authority Of the major Of
police.
Col. Robert objected strenuously to this. He
said he thought the lieutenant should be al
lowed to give the authority. Insupport OF this
he said that in the case of policeman suspect
ing man of selling liquor without license
much time would be lost in getting authority
from the major of police, when all he would
have to do ii his suggestion was followed would
be to go ut once to the station and get author
| ity from the lieutenant.
The committee had no objection to section IL.
Section Is, which does not allow license in
| the county TO issue to person within 900
feet OF another place, was not strongly OBJ
| jected to, as the committee would sooner have
| that pass than the Soldiers Homo bill, making
it unlawful to sell within one mile Of the Sol
dieis Home grounds.
As TO THEArER MANAaERs.
The next objection ON the part Of the com.
mittee was to that portion OF section Is which
| provides that no license shail issue to any pro-
prietor. lessee, keeper or manager Of any thea
ter, circus, museum or other place OF amuse-
ment.
| The last clause Of the bill limiting the num-
Der Of saloons to 400 was objected TO very
strongly, and Commissioners Koss and Robert
rather agreed with the committee.
| The COMMISSIONERS win consider these amend
ments carefully in board session snd report IN
amended bill In . few days.