Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-25
PROTESTS AGAINST LICENSE
PRESIDENT OF LIQUOR DEALERS
ASSOCIATION OPPOSES CLUBS.
Mr.. Whelan Files Objections with
Excise Board Anti-Saloon
League to Present Brief.

Mr.. w. T. Whelan, president of the Re
tail Liquor Dealers Association, has sent to
the excise board letter protesting against
the granting of licenses to certain clubs for
the purpose of enabling them to dispense
liquor. 1t was stated in The Star several
days ago that such letter would be sent.
1t Is the intention of Attorney Shoemaker,
representing the Anti-Saloon League, to also
file brief on the same question. The let
ter sent by the president of the Retail
Liquor Dealers Association is as follows:
Existing laws confer upon your honor
able board the right to issue bar room
license to clubs to sell intoXcants during
such hours as you in your discretion may
deem advisable. In accordance with these
provisions fourteen clubs have been estab-
lished in the District Conducted singly
and solely for the purpose of social re-
creation and enjoyment, the club is entitled
to your especial consideration; but when
II becomes object of commercial enter
prise, controlled and directed by certain in
dividuals a source of pecuniary gain and
profit, it in no wises differs from the Ordi-
nary bar room established for similar pur-
poses, and should not be accorded privi-
leges denied the latter, especially when
those privileges violate the moral and re-
ligious sensiblities of the community.
acquired 10 observe S0DDatn.
Saloons are not licensed by your honor
able board to dispense liquors on the Sab
bath, or between the unseemly hours of II
and o'clock am. And no saloonist hav
ing proper regard for the rights of the
community and the best interests of his
business, would care to transgress these
time honored restrictions. and no combina-
ton of individuals under any preteXt what
soever. clubs or otherwise, should be
licensed to dispense liquors during those
hours which the best intelligence of the
community has set apart for it's better gov
eminent.
THE club enjoys many privileges denied
the saloon. 1t pays no municipal tax on
Its pool and billiard tables, although it col
lects the same rates per game and derives
the same profit from these sources the
similarly equipped saloon, upon which said
tax is imposed. 1t may be established in
any locality without having to obtain the
signatures Of owners and residents, or with
out reference to the church
Profitable as Investment.
LAS a result of the various advantages
profitable investment than the saloon. and
many citizens have placed their moneys III
these enterprises, which enjoy this addi-
tional advantage. that while but one indi-
vidual or company can conduct and own
but one saloon in the District, any number
Of clubs may be conducted in the interests
of the same individuals stockholders or
directors under the proprietorship of diff
ferent managers.
The moral status of the saloon is affect
ed by such inebriety as may occur during
those hours when it is closed and the club
is open for business purposes and its ma
terial interests injured by the larger
privileges granted the latter.
LAS an organization having the highest
regard for the legitimate province of the
club and especially as an organization de-
voted to the best interests Of the saloon,
and believing these interests not inconsist-
ent with the welfare. sobriety and decency
of the community. when properly regulat-
ed, the Retail Liquor Dealers Association
ofsthe District of Columbia does most re.
specially appeal to your honorable board
that you endeavor, far as possible, to
discriminate in the issuing of license be-
tween those clubs established exclusively
for the enjoyment and social recreation OF
their bona fide members and those clubs
which depend partly or in whole upon pub
lie patronage for maintenance and support.
We also appeal that no license be issued
to any club to do business during those
hours which should be sacred to religion
and the family-Sundays. and between the
hours of - and o'clock am"