Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-16

The House District committee this morning
gave hearing to persons interested in pending
liquor legislation. Chairman HemphiIl and
Representatives Meredith, Abbott and Harmer
Of the committee were present.
Mr.. John Magruder, representing the whole
sale liquor dealers, and Mr.. Henry E. Davis on
behalf of the Liquor Dealers Association, came
before the committee.
Mr.. Magruder laid before the committee the
bill which was agreed upon AZ a meeting of
liquor dealers last Saturday and reported else
where in The STAR today. Mr. Gagruder ex-
planned the sections OF the bill IL was desired
that the number of rooms in hotel should cut
10 figure in the application for license. The
dealers want the number of licenses to be
granted increased 70 700. to cover the growth
az the city. There are 663 applications for
Licenses already file aud it would be hard
matter to limit the number to 500, heretofore
proposed
As TO SELLING TO HA3ITUAL DRUNKARDs.
The dealers want provision clearly defining
the sellers position in regard TO selling liquors
10 an hsbituaI drunkard. They think the law
shonla stipulste that the buyer must be known
20 the seller as an habitual drunkard in order
10 secure conviction. rs otherwise a drunkard
might apply to a barkeeper who did not know
him. might become intoxicated and the seller
be convicted for an act proceeding from ig-
norauce.
BY making the retail license $3.50 Mr. Ma
gruder thought that 90 per cent of the small
bar rooms Of the city would be closed out and
the retail business carried on under a better
system The majority of the evil springing
from liquor comes from these low grogge-ies
and bars kept in grocery stores, where the
poorest quality Of liquor is sold.
Mr.. DAVIS on TIE EXCISE BOARD.
Mr.. Davis said he had considered the bill
presented by Mr.. Magruder. He said the
Liquor Dealers Association does not regard
the provision for an excise board as absolutely
necessary. Expressing his personal opinion
entirely, he does not favor the excise board for
the conclusive reason that the Commissioners
will thereby be enabled to shift upon their
subordinates the responsibility for actions they
would shirk themselves.
Representative Campbell contended that an
excise board is the best tribunal to pass upon
liquor licenses.
Mr.. MaSruder, in answer to Mr.. Davis, said
the meeting of last SATURDAY. discussed the point
raised and 1t was suggested that q board Of rep
Gtable citizens. paid competent salaries might
be organized sn excise board.
Hr. Davis called attention to the provision
that no license shall be issued for a less
greater period than one year. He suggested
striking ont less so that dealer wishing to
commence business in the middle Of the year
VIII not have TO wait until the beginning of the
license year.
As TO SOCIAL CLUBS.
Mr.. Davis called attention to the evasion Of
the Law by so-called social clubs. and he favored
the provision giving the authorities the right
to inspect the clubs. 1t might not appear to be
so pleasant TO the larger clubs, but they would
not object because they are recognized as bona
hde social organizations.
Ar. Davis said an important section is the
one which provides that a dealer having a
license need not apply each year for & renewal
uniess there IS objection to his continuing.
Under the law it exists now the dealer has 70
seek signatures every year and he is often sub
iected to biackmail by residents of the square.
who charge him for their signatures. Mr..
Davis recalled many instances of blackmail of
which he became aware when he was district
attorney.
Mr.. Campbell suggested that a dealer might
file a bond for his good behavior and forfeit it
II ne failed TO keep peaceful place.
THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE NJ MILAN BILL.
Chairman Hemphill said the Commissioners
had written the committee and seemed rather
to desire another bill. the Mcmillan bill
''Oh. that IS measure entirely too drastic"
said M Davis.
YES. it will work hardships to many reputa-
BILE persons, said Mr.. MGgruder.
Mr.. Frank Madigan regretted that tine Com
missioners were not present He thought that
the Commissioners would not favor such a bill
as the Mcmillan bill il they were catechised
upon its various sections. II tie Commission
ers come together with the dealers bill can be
agreed upon combining the best features Of the
Meredith and Campbell bills The dealers are
UEaltersbly opposed to the Mcmillan bill.
Mr.. Michael Sullivan said that the Hunton
bill! was railroaded through the Senate without
its provisions being fully understood.
Mr. Eemphiil said that it is hardly likely that
the proposed bill will go through Congress
tuatt all Ea,, ". IL
hoped that the Commissioners would be pres
ent and they were invited. lie advi ed the
dealers to print the bill proposed today and the
committee will send it 10 the Commissioners TO
get their views upon it.
Mr.. Nndigsn ventured the opinion that if the
Commissioners are brought face TO face before
the committee With the dealers it will be found
that they not welded entirely to the Nc
MILAN lii.
The committee agreed to give another hear
ing upon the matter next Thursday morning
In the meantime the bill presented today is TO
be referred 70 the COmmIssiC ners for their
opinion
Chairman Hemphill today received the fol-
lowing letter from the Commissioners explain
rig their absence from the hearing:
Sir: The Commissioners have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt Of your notice for
hearing on Monday, 10th instant, in relation TO
proposed liquor license legislation. The Com
mis-icners under dates Of Nav 2. 1890. April
80. so. April 80 1880. May .. 1890. January
q. 1892. January 81. 1892. january 2s 1892
January -. 1892. February Is. 1892. February
-. 1892, March u. 1892. March u. 1892. April
IL, lSJ1. April l.. 1892. addressed letters to
both committees on District affairs in relation
20 this subject and have no reason to change
their POSITION advocating n high license system.
with abundant provisions for Its enforcement.
The provisions contained in bills Mes. l0045
and lO0+6. nr-t session. Fifty-frst Congress-
and particularly those in bill No. 2s45. first SEES
sion. lifty-second Congress- known az the
Mcmillan bill, are, in the Judgment Of the Com
missioners. most excellent. and absolutely neces-
sary 20 put this business proper footing in
tie District.
Il seems anomalous and Notifying that the
municipal authorities of the capital of the
United States should have less authority to regu-
late the sale or restrain the unlicensed use Of
intoxicating liquors than almost any other
municipal community in the country. This
dangerous condition is n constant emberrass-
ment to the courts. the Commissioners and the
police % the District, and the cause of deep
solicltude 10 parents and quiet citizens.
To Remove the Cloud From a Title.
MGrtha Elien Pennington and Levi Penning-
ton have. by Mr.. A. b. Duvall. filed a bill
against Edward Wilson and John n. Brooks ct
A. 10 remove cloud from title. Mrs Penning-
ton states that in 1869 she became the owner of