Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-11-18
THE HELL'S BOTTOM SALOONS.
Commissioner Douglass Says the APplica
tions Were Rejected Because Of Protests.

Commissioner Douglass says the Applica-
tons Were Rejected Because Of Protests.
At a late hour yesterday afternoon the Com
missioners took up in board session for final
action the Helrs Bottom saloon cases. and after
q brief discussion decided to adhere to their
former determination and refuse liquor licenses
to all cases embraced within that section, which,
as heretofore stated. is bounded by the east
side of 9th street. the west side of 18th street
and from p street northward to the boundary.
They also decided to close all places in that
territory at once, and if rehearings are granted
in any individual case 1t will only be after the
saloon is closed. 1t is understood that the
liquor men involved will take the matter to
the courts and ask that an injunction be is
sued prohibiting the Commissioners from clos
ing the saloons.
Among the first callers upon the Commission
ers this morning was Rev. Mr.. Moore. who
made such fight against the saloons in Heil's
Bottom He congratulated each of the Com
missioners upon their action and said it a
wise move in the interest of one of the best
resident neighborhoods in the District.
Reviewing the matter this morning Commits
sioner Douglass said to STAR reporter: 1.-The
licenses which were refused in what is known
as Helfs Bottom were rejected individually
upon protests filed in each case and not because
of their locality alone. These cases come under
paragraphs and 8. page 2. of the regulations,
which distinctly provide that licenses will not
be granted where it shall appear that there are.
In the opinion OF the Commissioners, more such
places than the accommodation of the public
warrants; and again that the Commissioners
will consider any valid objection made by citi-
zens to any application, provided such objec-
tions are specific IN their character and against
a particular applicant and bear the signatures
of the parties making the same"
WANTS THE CASE REFERRED THE ATTORNEY.
This morning Mr.. c. Maurice Smith, the
attorney for the liquor men in Helrs Bottom,
called upon the Commissioners and urged that
the question of the right of the Commission
ers to close the saloons be referred to the attor
ney for the District for his opinion on the CASE
Mr.. Douglass said that he was opposed to such
a thing. 1t was only another way of prolong-
ing the fight. The courts were open and that
is where they should apply for redress.
Commissioner Ross desired to know il the
Commissioners referred the matter to the attor-
ney would Mr.. Smith pr omise not to resist the
matter in the courts.
Mr.. smith said that while he was the attor-
ney for the applicants he could not promise
any such thing.
Commissioner Ross stated that as far as he
was concerned he WAS willing to refer the mat
ter requested. but could not answer for the
other Commissioners. They would talk the
| matter over this afternoon and decide what 10
do
AS TO CLOSING THEM UP.
recent rule of the Commissioners provides
| that after the rejection of an application the
saloon must be closed forty-eight hours after
ward.
Mr.. Smith called attention to the above and
/ said ne hoped that the Commissioners would
| rot carry out this rule. The decision to refuse
! their applications had come a clap of thun-
| der, without any warning, and IT would he I'M
| just to shut them off until their legal status
\ mad been determined.
In reply Commissioner Ross stated that each
one OF the applicants had been notified last
| spring that they would not be granted licenses
| this year.
! Mr.. Smith held that no notice had been
| served upon these men. The paper served
| upon these applicants by the police was moth
| ing buta copy of AN order OF the Commissioners
authorizing the assessor to report all cases in
| that section known Helis Bottom.
| Commissioner Ross, however, stated that he
| had written report from Lieut.. Teepie in
| which he stated that each one of the applicants
had been specifically notified that they would
rot receive licenses this year