Evening star., 1896-12-29

rying out OF law. and would not result In
inviting others into the saloon or in the de-
moralixation Of childEn who might zee
VIA. hat was s.,., going on er: e. Ne g centela
gard to the provision hot to aIlow screens
at bar room windows Ana doors. He said
that this morning he Ind been present dur
Ing the consideration 81 D. case before the
games had been played In the bar room.
The saloon keeper, hg said had testified
that while that was fhe case on that par
ticular occasion: It hadenever occurred be-
produced considerabls. merriment among
the assembled membefg Of the Anti-Saloon
League. and MIR. Garfield said that the
open windows would be satisfactory bar
against the playing of games.
Gamblinx Nh saloons.
Mr.. Ewin, president ct the league, said
that he had lately Hotzced games going
on in ssloon and had called the atten-
ton of policeman to them, and had
asked the policeman to. report the, case
The policeman replied that 1t was no use
for him to report II, he had reported such
cases frequently and nothing had resulted
from such action.
Trials of Liquor Cases.
Mr.. Shoemaker argued in favor Of the
provision of the bin which it is desired to
pass Congress. which makes 1t mandatory
for the attorney for the District to bring
to trial any case upon1the information be-
ing fled by two reputable witnesses He
said that Mr.. Pugh. special attorney for
the District. had repeatedly refused to
bring cases to trial on such information,
and for that reason the law could not be
tested in many instances.
Mai. Powell asked the speaker why such
cases had not been appealed to the Com
miSSfoners.
Mr. Shoemaker replied that that was a
very troublesome way In. which to bring
cases to trial. but that on one occasion 1t
had been done, and through such means
the case had been brought before the
courts and the offending saloon keeper had
been convicted.
Excise Laws Elsewhere,
Rev. Mr.. Crafts spoke at some length,
and compared the bill to the laws which
are In force In other states. He said that
In many of the states, notably in Indiana
or Kansas. Texas, Pennsylvania, the ex-
else laws were much more strict than are
the provisions of the bill which 1t is de-
sired to enact into law for the District of
Columbia He said that the general ten
dency Of temperance legislation, now, ac-
cording to observations made by him while
constantly travelling, is to have the liquor
demerits.
The tendency was to do away, he said
with the playing Of any game In saloons
and to have a full view of the same from
the sidewalk. He thought If there was any
complaint to be made against House bill
1883 1t was that 1t was not strict enough.
He said that the Raines law Of New York
provided that saloons should not have
screens to prevent passersby from seeing
what was going on within.
Mrs. Platts Appeal.
Mrs Margaret B. Platt, speaking for the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union of
the District Of Columbia, appealed to the
Commissioners to approve the bill under
consideration. and said that 1t met the
views Of the people Of the District who rep
resented the moral element here.
Rev. J. ]. Muir also made plea in favor
Of the Commissioners, favorable recon-
mendation for the bill ., C..
At this time it was spearly l o'clock, and
although there were many other ladies and
gentlemen present who it was desired
should address the Comm issioners in favor
close. IN sh