Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-09
A HIGHER LICENSE
Excise Board in Favor of Increas-
ing the Fee.
TO LESSEN TEE NUMBER OF SALOONS
A Recommendation Which Affects
the Clubs.
OTHER RIOT NEWS

A strenuous effort will he made at the next
session of Congress to increase the fee for
LIQUOR licenses. The excise board has
recommended to the Commissioners the
enactment of legislation increasing the il
cense fee for bar rooms from 500 to $50
per annum and the wholesale license fee
from $3.50 to $500 per annum. These recon-
mendations which have been said in The
Star to be under consideration, were EN-
bodied in the following letter to the Commits
sioners today:
1.-THE excise board Of the District of Co
lumbia would respectfully present for your
consideration certain changes in the exist
ing excise law, requesting that If they meet
with your approval the necessary legisla-
ton to effect the same may be asked CT Con-
gress in amending the law of March 3, 1893,
known as an act regulating the sale of
intoxicating liquors in the District Of CO.
lumbia.'
'"The board would recommend legislation
to increase the amount Of license for bar
rooms from 500 per annum to $500 per an
mum, and for wholesale license from $3.50 to
500 per annum, and would ask for this pur-
pose that section of the excise law be
amended.
This change would be iI conformity with
the rates of other cities and in keeping with
tending to a high license for the sale of
intoxicants. 1t Is not thought that a
higher rate Of license would materially af-
feet the revenues Of the District There
would be of necessity fewer places for the
sale of liquor, but it is believed that
higher rate of license would be conducive
to the interests of the public and the sa-
loon.
Under a decision of the court, clubs are
exempted from the payment of license
AS clubs under the law are entitled to
greater privileges than the keeper of a bar
room, in being allowed to sell to members
a n hat IN nd al
when 1t Is unlawful for the keeper of sa-
loon to sell liquors. it Is suggested that the
law be changed SO as to make 1t mandatory
on all clubs where liquors are dispensed to
take out license
1.-The excise law contains no provisions
for the punishment of a seller Of adllter-
ated liquors, and 1t is requested that said
law be made effective in this particular by
having Incorporated in it the following:
Every person SO licensed, or any other
person who shall Intentionally or otherwise
sell or give away or direct or permit any
person or persons in his employ to sell or
give away, malt, vsprituous and vinous
liquors, which shall be adulterated with
strychnine, strontia, sugar Of lead or any
substance which is poisonous or injurious
to health shall forfeit and pay the sum of
$500 for every such offense, and in case of
ron-payment of such fine shall be impris-
oned in the Jail of the District of Columbia
for a period Of time not exceeding six
months or till the same is paid. An analy-
sis made by a practical chemist shall be
deemed competent testimony under the
provisions Of this section"
Policeman Hatton Reinstnted.
When the Fat Mems Club was raided by
the police in July, 1894, the names of ten
policemen were found on the rolls Of the
club These officers were promptly dis
missed by the Commissioners upon the
recommendation of Commissioner Trues-
dell, who had entire charge of the case.
list, however. contained the name of one
man, who. while member of the Fat
raid, and who, it appears, had never been
to the club. This was Officer John T. Hat
ton. Today, upon the recommendation of
Commissioner Truesdell, he was reappoint-
ed a member of the police force.
Commissioner Truesdell, in his recon-
mendation of Officer Hatton, said: This
man, John T. Hatton, was not present
when the other members Of the Fat Mems
Club were arrested, and his previous good
record appears to be with but a single
flaw. In view Of these facts and the long
sal and his good record since, 1 recon-
mend his reappontment."
The reappointment of Hatton does not
mean that any of the other cases will be
reconsidered.
To Wear a Badge.
The Commissioners today appointed the
following policemen: Charles P. NJ Lord,
No. 937 Florida avenue; John F. Buckley,
No. 300 Virginia avenue southwest; Howard
w. Robey, No. S11 North Capitol street,
ard Robert H. Wood, No. Is F street north
west.