The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-02-11
CLUBS Obey THE EDICP
The Sunday Closing Order At
tackled by Simon Wolf.
The Speaker Says the Action ~
Against Common Sense and Jus
ticc-Sneuncrhund Bunef Locked
for the First Time in Fifty Years
The Views OF business Man.

ii is apparentth that cIubmen were thirsty
yesterday, if the address of Mr. Simon
Wolf at the Saengerbund last night can
be taken as significant. and judged in the
nature of protest against the recent
action of the police. Everything was
dry yesterday in the parlancc Of the
clubs, but it is equally evident that the
thirsty ones are ready to seek the scalp
of the warrior champion on the side of the
opposition to established custom.
a large gathering assembled last night
at the Saengerbund Hall, 314 c Street
| northwest. including members of the or
ganization and many guests. Mr.. Simon
Wolf presided, and Representative Kahn
of California and other well-known men
were there. Representative Kahn was
booked for a lecture on California" and
ne was introduced by MIR. Wolf, who took
occasion to say a few things about the law
and its recent construction respecting the
sale OF liquors at clubs. All day there
had been placarded before the door of the
buffet of the club huge sign, reading,
CLOSED by order of the police. This
placard had furnished a great topic for
discussion. mostly of character adverse
to the police authorities, and it seems
though the general sentiment of the or
gan:zation and friends was voiced when
Mr. Wolf at the opening of the meeting
last night, said:
Mrs Carrie Nation with her hatohet and
cohorts seems TO have arrived in this city,
Washington. Our association with its. eX-
istence OF fifty honorable years is classed
with lawbreakers and clubs which are
not bona tde and is punished with the
same measure. | do not think that We
should stand idly by and bear this iujus-
tice. Today. l dare say. will stand in the
annals of the Washington Saengsrbund
alone, for there will be no other like it.
We are law abiding citizens. and are cheer
fully obcying the laws. even though they be
interpreted and applied Unjustly. Meas
uTes of this kind cannot last long. They
are against common sense and Justice l
am sure that common sense has not al
together departed from those who are in
authority in this city, and are put there
by the representatives of the people to
administer the laws literally and in a spirit
corresponding with the times and progress
sive ideas of the twentieth century"
Not alone did the Saengerbund obey the
edict OF the police, but at all the clubs
there was the same spirit of depression.
Everywhere bars were closed as tight as
locks could close them. and it is a safe
assertion to say that liquor did not flow
yesterday at any of the clubs which fell
under the ban of the police. But the 81
lence OF clubmen yesterday would seem to
be the "lull before the storm That a
storm will break before another Sunday
appears certain. for already there is as
content in the faces of the thirsty ones.
Just what path this gale will take, or with
what force It will sweep down upon The
authorities is as yet uncertain. 1t is
coming-that is all which is known at
present.
A prominent business man, who rarely
visits a saloon. and who is a member of
several clubs in the city, in speaking of
the closing order, said:
Truly this is the age of wondrous things
In Kansas We have a saloon smasher, in
Washington We have the Anti-Saloon
League standing on the firing line with
the Retail Liquor Dealers Association.
In the reserve column we have the saloon
keepers themselves. Clearly it's fight
to the finish when such strange allies
marshal their forces to do battle against
the club bars. II might be a worthy bat
tie but ii strikes me as grOtesque. one
might lust as well try to reconcile the
fable of the lion and the lamb or sud-
denly be told that Father Abraham had
granted Dives prayer and allowed him TO
repose on his bosom.
another thing which has puzzled ne is
the case and promptness with which the
temperance people can get law enacted.
The majority Of men in public life, C-n-
gressmen and Senators alike, are drinkers
10 more or less degree, and what is
more the men who elect them 10 their
exalted positions are drinkers also. Yet
these men do not hesitate to legislate
against the sale OF liquor
These Congressman have their bars at
the Capitol, which is little better than
saloon during the sessions. There is no
restriction placed on this club. Unless
/ have been misinformed thirsty Sena-
tor or Representative can quenCh his
thirst whether it be Sunday or Monday.
AS the matter stands. there are only
two clubs in the city doing business under
a license. TIey are the Army and Navy
Club and the Jockey Club Other clubs
have applied for licenses. but the applica-
iions have been held Up.