Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-02
THE LIQUOR BILL
A Hearing Before the Senate District Sub
committee.
COlOred ClerEymen Oppose the Pas
sage of the BabcOck Amendment
What Senator Gibson Says.

| The Senate District committee held a
meeting this morning for about an hour,
the greater part Of which was occupied by
discussion of the House bill 3T4O. amend
ing the act regulating the sale Of intoXi-
eating liquors in the District. AS there
were number of clergymen anxious to be
heard In opposition to the bill the commit
tee decided to place the matter in the hands
OF subcommittee, consisting of Senators
Faulkner, Gibson and Hansbrough, who
should hear all Of the interests and report
to the full committee later. Consequently
the subcommittee held a meeting imme-
diately after the adjournment of the full
committee, and listened to arguments that
were presented by a group Of colored min
listers and others. Mr.. Shoemaker APP
peared as attorney for the anti-saloon
league. assisted by Mr.. William F. Vinell.
Grimke Of the 18th Street Presbyterian
Church, Rev. Mr. Brown of the Plymouth
church, Rev. Eugene Johnson Of Lincoln
Memorial Church. DR.. Fisher Of John Wes-
ley Church, Rev. Walter H. Brooks of the
10th Street Baptist Church. DR.. Howard Of
the Southwest Washington Baptist Church,
Rev. Mr.. Wiseman of the Lutheran Church,
Rev. DR.. Cunnell Of st. Luke's Episcopal
Church and Rev. Newly of Union Wesley
Church.
Against the BabcOck Amendment.
They argued that the Babcock amendment
to the bill. which was adopted in the House,
would be greatly detrimental to religious
and educational interests in Washington
The bill as 1t came from the House to the
Senate provided that a license for the sale
OF liquor should not be granted for the con-
duct of such business within four hundred
rect OF public school house. private school
or mouse or religious worship, measured to
the nearest entrance of each by the short
est course Travelled. Exception is made in
the cases of such places of business as were
located or licensed at the date of the pass
age of the act of March 3, 1893, or previous
to the erection or occupation Of the school
house or church. 1t is provided that no ho-
tel hereafter established shall be licensed
that has less than twenty-five rooms for
guests
The House report from the District COM
mittee set forth that purpose of the act
as amended is to make the act of March g.
lS1i clearer In its provisions as to the To-
cations at which intoxicating liquors may
be sold and also to deprive the act Of its
retroactive features as to such locations so
as not to destroy business heretofore es-
tablShed.
The subcommittee will grant hearing
OF thursday next to other ministers who
desire to present arguments. but so far
there have been no requests for hearings
from the liquor people. An effort is being
made by the Anti-saloon League folks to
persuade the school superintendent and
In behalf Of their interests, but 1t Is doubt
full whether they succeed.
Favors the Amendment.
Senator Gibson. member of the subcom-
mittee, said this afternoon to a Star re-
porter that in all probability the subcom-
mittee would reach a conclusion on Thurs
day, so as to report its provision to the full
committee on Friday next at the regular
meeting.
II am in favor of the amendment" he
added. land hope that it will be accepted
by the committee and passed by the Sem
ate. / think 1t would be wrong to enforce
sense. This would cause the closing of
almost all hotels in the vicinity of La
fayette square and Mcpherson square. The
influence of St. Matthews Church under the
provisions of the act would close Welcker's
Wormleys. Chamberlin's. the Shoreham and
possibly the Arlington and the Normandie;
for this church has been erected for fifty
years and antedates all of those establish
ments. l do not think 1t would be wise to
force these places to close their restau-
rants, and l hope that the amendment,
which / think Is a wise one, will be adopt
ed"
Three Bills Disposed OF.
The committee disposed of three bills at
toadys meeting. Senator Hunton was d.
rected to report adversely Senate bill 114l
man of the District of Columbia. This bill
was referred to the District Commissioners,
who recommended adverse action. Senator
Mcmillan was directed to report adversely
Senate bill 1912 for the relief of the estate
of the late William l.. Scott, a member Of
Congress from Pennsylvania. This action
was also based upon the recommendation
of the Commissioners. Senator Proctor was
instructed to report favorably Senate bill
1897 amending the act for the support of
the District government for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1878. This amendment APP
plies to section 4, and provides that IL one
half of the tax levied upon the real and
personal property taxed by that act shall
not be paid before the first day Of Deem
Der in each year that installment shall be
thereupon In arrears and delinquent; and
there shall then be added to be collected
with such taxes penalty of per cent and
like penalty on the first day of each sue
ceeding month until the payment of .he in
stallment and the penalty. If the INSTALL
ment shall not be paid before the first day
of the following June, together with one
half of the original tax due before the LIST
day of June, like penalty shall then be
added upon this last one-half of the tax
aNd the whole together shall constitute the
delinquent tax, to be dealt with and col
lected as the act prescribes
The meeting today was attended by all
but two of the members of the committee
Senators Wolcott and Gallinger being alb