Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-23
DfVlStQN LOON S
Retail Liquor Dealers Plead for Their
Lioanses.
Hearing Before the Excise Board
Other Matters of Local
Interest.


Interest.
The executive board Of the Federation
OF Retail Liquor Dealers Of Washington.
ID. c., had hearing before the excise
board this morning relative to the licens-
ing of liquor saloons in the Division"
The committee was headed by President
T.. L. Jordan. who presented a memorial
stating that the prolonged and heart
breaking suspense incidental to the appi
cation of the Division saloonkeepers for
renewal of license has had most de-
pressing effect upon their business inter-
ests Not only has it prevented their
making such improvements as might en-
able them to support the heavy eXpendi-
lures incidental to the same said the
memorial, but their creditors, appre
hensive of the ultimate rejection Of their
license applications. are becoming nervous
and importunate. for it is a lamentable
fact. as stated by the Knights of Labor
III recent controversy. that one-thirI
OF the local saloonsts have mortgage
stock. fixtures and real estate in the des-
perate struggle to maintain their business
interests and support their families.
Claim to Pay ExOrbitant Rents.
The proprietors of many establishments
in this section, with implicit confidence in
the disposition of your honorable board
to protect them so long as they complied
with legal obligations, entered into lease
contracts with the owners Of the properties
upon which they are located at rent rates
more eXorbtant than could be obtained for
any other business, with the result that.
II their license be now rejected those who
are responsible will be Obligated TO comply
with the eXorbitant terms Of these I'M
expired lease contracts months and years
after the business for which they We're
originally assumed has ceased TO exist.
For long period the saloonists in this
locality have suffered in pocket and repu-
tatlon by enforced and unjust competition
with the speak easy and its dsreputable
adjunct, the bawdy house, and now that
the local authorizes have demonstrated
their determination to protect the legiti-
mate dealer as well as the community
from this unhailowed combination, we
earnestly pray shat your honorable board
will not degrade the business which We
represent to a lower position than that
assigned it by law. by placing 1t upon the
level with said bawdy house and speak
easy. and declining. matter of public
utility. that its extinction is as necessary
as the suppression of these disreputable
and illegitiplate establishments.
Concluding Representations.
I'm conclusion. we submit that, as the
representatives rof organization which
aims at thebhishest conceptions of the OBJ
legations involved in the liquor traffic, and
which is DESTROYS above all things to have
1t conducted with Difference to the good
opinion and respect of the community,
your honorable, board will always find us
willing and DESTROYS to cooperate in any
measure that will have tendency to ele-
Nate the salbon! and if any of oGr brothers
shall wiiifuliy violate laws and regulations
established for the better government of
the same We cannot he consistent with our
opilsat.oi to our organization. support OF
encourage them in so doing, but if they
ConScient.ously endeavor to comply with
every legal obligation, seems to have
been the case with many who have grown
Sray in business in this locality, We are in
duty bound to appeal to your honorable
beard to protect them in their Just rights
under the law, as you would their fellow
citizens engaged In other legitimate occu-
pations in other sections of the CITY,
Trusting your honorable board will give
this memorial that considera ton which the
equities involved and the interests at stake
would seem to warrant, we remain, with
respect, etc"
Liquor In Center Market Hall.
Application was made to the excise board
this morning by Mr.. Edgar Strakosch TO:
permission to transfer for several weeks
the liquor Ecerse of a regular dealer to
the Center Market Hall, in order that the
managers of the Russian Orchestra, which
contemplate filling an engagement at that
hall. may have the privilege of serving
beer and other refreshments to the audi
ence. He made the claim under section .
of the liqtor law. which permits the trans
fer Of licenses for temporary occasions.
The be ard, however. was under the impress
son that the law did not contemplate such
long tra ster, and advised Mr.. Strakosch
to file an application for a regular retail
liquor iicel Sc.
Policemen Promoted.
Private J. F. Reagan of class che of the
police force has been promoted to class
two. vice Ellis deceased
Work of the Excise Board.
The excise board this nc rnng rejected
the following applications for retail IL
censes: Fred. r. Miller, corner Sth and d
streets northwest; Toby Bush, SIT 7th
street northwest and s. j. Eagan, 3;S X
street northeast, and the following appli-
cations for Wholesale licenses: VIM. E.
Reynolds 1912 M stre.t northwest; ], ].
Dugan, 500 l. street nortl east. The board
granted transfer retail license to Chas.
NJ. Dunn. from Alois Paul., 227 Pennsyl-
vania avenue.