Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-05
COL. GRANT is SORRY
Was Imprudent in His Recent
Startling Comment.
IN ACCORD WITH His ASSOCIATES
An Alleged Internal Machine for
Mr.. Roosevelt.
CAUGHT IN THE MAILS

NEW YORK, August 5.-According to
the statements made at police headquar-
ters this morning there never was a Sun
day in the history of this city dryer than
yesterday. According to statements made
by persons who are not officials. however,
there were few places in the city where
a person could not get drink If he wanted
it very badly. There was a showing on
the part of the police, 1t was said, to en-
force the law, but in some localities the
saloonkeepers are said to have carried on
their business as openly as they ever did
on Sunday. The closer the saloon to the
station house the less, apparently. the sa-
loonkeeper had to fear.
Acting Chief Conlin, in his report, said
that the law was never more strictly en-
forced, and that there were few places in
the city where person could get a drink.
He said that the saloonkeepers who had
persistently violated the law on former
Sundays were closely watched yesterday,
and that where a saloon was suspected
of doing business policeman was sta
toned at the door.
Il spent most of the day yesterday" he
said. ION the West Side. The three pre-
vious Sundays l spent on the East Side.
From my observation. everything was
tightly closed and am very well pleased
with the manner in which the policemen
worked. l am firmly of the impression
that the largest of the saloonkeepers have
begun to recognize that 1t Is useless to
endeavor to violate the law. OF course,
there were and probably will always be
small number Of dealers who will en-
deavor to violate the law, but they will
be caught sooner or later. Altogether, I
am well pleased"
The official report of the number of
arrests made during the restricted hours,
as sent to Mr.. Coniin. showed that 123
arrests were made as compared with LAG
arrests on the Sunday previous.
President Roosevelt said that he was
well satisfied at the way in which the ex-
else law was enforced yesterday. He said
that he had ordered complaints to be made
In two precincts, one against patrolman
and another against captain. They
would be charged with failure to enforce
the excise law. He said that he had re-
son. moderator of the New York presby-
terry, commencing him on his stand. James
NJ. Potter, a resident Of the fourth ward,
said he had lived there twenty-seven years
and had never seen the law so we'll en-
forced.
James Oliver called at police headquar-
ters to see President Roosevelt today, and
said that such enforcement of the excise
law In the lower part of the city had never
been seen since 1867, when Thomas c. Ac-
ton was commissioner. AT that time. Mr..
Oliver said, the police used to climb over
roofs and down scuttles to make arrests.
Col. Grant Regrets His Uttcrances.
Police Commissioner Fred. D. Grant
made statement today on his utterances
during the trial of Capt. Eakins, when he
said the trial was crime. He said:
I'm sorry for what I said at
the trial Of Capt. Eal,ins. I spoke from
the heart just what 1 thought at the mo-
ment."
Il was somewhat overcome by the
dramatic situation, and I know 1t was
wrong to say what l did. At the same
time it was not sudden change of mind.
My mind was made up when I had
heard the greater part of the. testimony
for the prosecution. / thought then and
Eakins. But 1 should not have said so.
1t was not good judgment, but felt that
way.
"WfII 1 resign? I have not thought of
it. l certainly have no present intention
of doing so. At the same time, 1 do not
ment in the way of the boards good work.
If it were so, / should certainly go.
But l do not see that it is SO. I have
done the best I could as commissioner,
and 1 supposed I had earned my salary.
On the questions of moment that have
have been in full and clear accord with the
rest Of the board and shall continue to be.
1 see no cause for any quarrel.
Internal Machine for Roosevelt.
What is believed to be an Internal ma
chine was discovered in the mailing de-
partment of the post office today. ad-
dressed to Theodore Roosevelt, Central
Police Office" The box looked suspicious,
and the investigation disclosed a large
cartridge with fuse attached. Police head
sent down by Chief Conl!n, who took the
supposed Internal machine away.