The Washington times., 1894-11-10
FIGHT WILL REACH ITS CRISIS.
Anti. Saloon League VIII Next Week Take
Active Steps to Restrict the
LIQUOR Traffic.

The fight OF the Anti-Saloon League to
restrict the liquor traffic will reach a crisis
next week, and some of the saloon-keepers
thar are now very confident will be with
out licenses The excise board of the Dis
trict. at its meeting Tuesday next. will begin
the consideration of applications for saloons
during the coming year.
The Anti-Saloon League AZ its meeting last
night at W. C. T. Z. Hall, Central Union Mis-
sion. Louisiana avenue, near Seventh street
heard reports from all sections of the city Of
the work that has been done by its members.
| This league includes persons OF many grades
of opposition 10 saloons and welcomes the
help of those who oppose a saloon only when
1t is in their own neghborhood.
leading feature of last nights meeting
was opposition to the present law. It was
pointed out how utterly unfair is plan which
gives the saloonkeeper so long hold simply
upon once obtaining the signatures of a
majority Of property-owners and house
holders.
If the law held majority against saloons
once obtained in q given locality would con-
stitute a bar for years, the saloon-keepers
would appreciate the injustice now done their
opponents. The reports offered emphasized
the talk against the new law. 1t was shown
that there were great many cases where a
majority would talk against the saloon. but
could not be induced to sign petition against
a neighbor whose power they feared.
Very many lists of names were presented.
Some of these will not go to the excise board,
for the executive committee at its last meet
ing decided that no case would be presented
unless complete. By this is meant that there
must be majority petition or some reason
valid under the law for opposing the saloon.
~, oI,-r fhak orI
presenting cases when success is doubtful.
The leagues work has not covered all places,
but test cases have been taken from every
section from Anacostia to Tenallytown.
James L. Ewin, vice president of the
League, presided. Representatives. from
Hamline and the Metropolitan Methodist
Churches were present for the first time.
Speeches were made by Col. John F. Yenal,
who is just back from his summer vacation;
by Judge Taylor, who talked of the saloons in
the First ward. just west of the State Depart
ment: by Mrs. Mary B. Platt, Mrs. II. A. Gil
lenWater, w. II. Proctor. from Hamline
Church: John g. Keene. OF Brightwood, who
comes from Brightwood Church in place of
his brother, Arthur; B. X. Griffith, a new del
egate from the Metropolitan Church; r. A.
Dinsmore, and Albert E. Shoemaker.
Mr. Proctor said Hamline corporation could
be depended on to the extent of its ability, and
extended an invitation to hold mass-meet-
ing there for the league. 1t was voted there
upon TO hold a mass-meeting at Hamline
Church week from next Sunday at 3 D. m. A
suggestion by Mr.. Keepe that an annual SER
mon for the league should be preached by all
pastors in the District was favorably received
but no action was taken.
There will be a meeting of the executive
committee at Mr.. Ewin's office Friday next.
BY that time a larger number of cases will have
been before the excise board. The police
have reported on many already which will be
taken up at once.