The Washington times., 1895-04-05
SPIKED THE LEAGUES GUNS
Informations Against Liquor Sellers
Refused by Attorney Pugh.
District Attorney Thomas Insists that the
Parties Complained of Had a
Right to Sell.

The attorneys for the District spiked
the guns of the Anti-Saloon League yester-
day by declining to issue warrants in the
eleven cases presented TO them of alleged
illegal liquor selling, and the crusade has
been suddenly checked.
A committee OF league members, COM
posed OF Detective Klinger, Attorney
A. +. Shoemaker, and Mr.. Jesse Suter,
called on Assistant District Attorney
Pugh yesterday at the police court and
asked him to issue informations for the
eleven cases. Mr.. Pugh. after consulting
with District Attorney s. t. Thomas, posi-
lively declined to issue the infemations,
and the committee departed
"EMr. Pugh stated yesterday afternoon
that he was as anxious as any one to see
the liquor laws ana all others enforced
in the District. but that he would not issue
warrants unless he was satisfied that
the compainants had a case in which he
could secure convictions.
Il am in favor he said, 'sof sParkhurst-
ing Washington, if it Will accomplish re-
forms in any direction. but | do not be-
lieve in issuing warrants promiscuonsly on
the whims of irresponsible persons, just
because they can be issued. If tie Anti
Saloon League detectives or officers bring
evidence to me showing that the bawdy-
house keepers, who are unlicensed, are sell
ing liquors to their patrons, or that Others
are violating the law, / Will promptly issue
warrants for their arrest
District Attorney Thomas stated yester-
day afternoon that the cases cited by the
Anti Saloon League were of oon-keepers
whose application for license had been
rejected in the first instance by the excise
board, but upon recons liberation of its de-
cision by the board the applicants were
notified that an extension of time had been
granted them, pending a final decision of
the board. They are, therefore, legally
entitled to sell liouor until the excise board
finally rejects their application.
Then, il the Anti Saloon League find any
| of thenIselling liqu or and dwanttoproEecute,
| they Will have no trouble in getting war
| rant issued.
| Mr.. James L. Ewin, vice president of the
| League, said that no steps had been taken
/ III the mattersince the refusal of p rosecuting
| Attorney Pugh to issue the warrants Mr.
1 Ewin thought that fest case would finally
| be made OF one of the eleven presented to
| Mr.. Pugh, where the men Were selling
| liquor under permits, after the rejection OF
| their application for license.
| A prominent member of the League cited
| the case sf an uptowh hotel keeper, who
was convicted of sellif1g lfuuor TO minors,
and, according to the law covering such a
! case, deprived of his Hcense. The police
| OF the First precinct weTelnotified TO shut
| the bar up, but before they could carry
out the order, the liquor seller made appli
| cation for an extension. Of time, through
his attorney, ard the Excise Board al
| lowed him TO continue selling indefinitely.
| The League claims that the final re.
| lection of the license, by the Board, for
| feits all right of a bar TO continue the sale
| OF liquors, and as the District derives
| no benefit from the $500 deposited with
| the Commissioners, after the date of Ie-
tion, they are consequently selling with
out license.
1t is said that application will be made
J this morning for a writ OF mandamas, com
| pelling Mr.. Pugh To issue the warrants
and there is some talk Of an indignation
meeting OF the league to be held Sunday
night