Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-17
SALOONS IN HELL,s BOTTOM
Hearing Before the Commissioners I'm Regard
to Licensing Them


As agreed some days ago the Commissioner,
today heard those interested in the licensing O,
| saloons in that section of the city known as
Hells Bottom. bounded by the east side of 9Th
street to the west side Of 18th and north
from street Many Of the saloons
In this section are in the second
precinct, which extends north as far as street.
MIR. {. Maurice Smith, when Commissioner
Douglass called for the Helrs Bottom case.
took exception to the name, as he was a resi-
dent Of that locality
He denied that the Commissioners had ever
Issued an order in fact TO the effect that no
more saloons wonid be licensed in that section
The notice was merely order issued by the
commissioners to the assessor to report sll
cases OF saloons embraced within that section
Mr.. Smith reviewed the Manion case. calling
attention to that portion of the courts decision
IN which II was stated that the Commissioners
had no arbitrary right to refuse licenses He
OF the Commissioners without legislative enact
ment to make rules as to where saloons should
be located.
1t would be q great mistake to cut these an
plicants off without license
Mr. Douglass thought it was legal question.
MI. Frank Madigan believed the better way
10 solve the question was to find out from the
police the character OF these places. The
people who live out there were going TO drink
and the Commissioners could not stop them,
II the licenses In that section are refused il
would create a number of speak easys /" where
liquor is sold without any license.
Rev. George w. Moore the pastor of Lin
COIN Memorial Congregational Church, which
Is located at the corner of llth and streets
northwest spoke in rebuttal
he SAID that he had lived there for eight
years and the only thing that made Helrs Rot
tom hell was the saloons located there. The
had done world of good.
MI. =. Maurice Smith here interposed an
oo)eenon to the remarks of MIR. Moore. claim |
ing tnat they were irregular and out Of order: |
me nearing ne, was called to hear the liquor men
ana MT. Moore had no right to be heard |
Commissioner Douglass said that the hoard |
aiways heard both Sides Mr.. Moore had |
rignt TO be heard, and while it would be emf /
aenay proper TO hear him they would hear The /
,nes in favor Of the licenses frat.
The hearing then continued and the ousst;on
u protests against the saloons was preached
Mr.. Madigan did not think that general nro-
ests should be taken notice Of
Every one else having compiet<d Rev Mr.
aoore again continued. He said the protest.
Fere not general One was from the Terynort
VENUE Church, representing over !. ono rersons.
nother from the Young Mems Christion As.o,
iesaon OF the District Of Columbia which VIVA
omposed OF young colored men who had
ought the old Forest City House. Then there
~, !. tne protest from his own church and that
the Howard branch of the Central Trnion
!,ssion; also the protest. of q number Of
itixeua
Mr. Smith replied briefly that all that had
cen said charged nothing. IF you are going
change Leading questions into religions dis
ossions, said he, 'It's time to change thines. \
the abstract We agree with everything that
as been said, but when the law has been COM
lied with there h nothing left but 20 grant | 4
eenses.'
The Commissioners, he urged, every month
the year drew their salaries from the taS on
lis very business. Careful consideration viii
given the matter before the Commissioner
nder decision.