The Washington times., 1902-06-17
Excise Board Replies to
Complaint of MIR. James
F. Cunningham.
WOULD LIKE EVIDENCE
Has No Desire to Continue Improper
0rganiz1tiOns-Police Reports Show
10 Effort to Evade the Law-Status
OF Institutions Defined.

The District Commissioners yesterda,
received from Mr.. Roger Williams. clerl
of the Excise Board, communication
On the subject of Sunday clubs. Several
days ago letter was sent to the Com
missioners by James F. Cunningham
making severe comment upon the prac-
tices of the so-calied social clubs or
Sunday
1t was alleged in this letter that the
clubs are no better than ordinary sa.
looms with wide open Sunday thrown
in. Mr.. Williams, in his reply. says:
Licenses are granted to clubs" says
Mr.. Rogers in his report, under the
provisions of section OF the act o:
Congress approved March 3, 1898, known
as the excise law. The board requires
that the application for license shall be
signed by the principal officers of the
club, usually three in number, and that
with the same there shall be filed a GER
titled copy of the articles of incorpora-
tion, the constitution and bylaws, and
roster of the members of the club, all
of which papers are read and considered
by the board before a license is granted.
Different From Saloons.
Under an opinion of the Attorney for
the District no signatures of owners OF
property and residents in the vicinity
are required as in an application for an
ordinary barroom license, nor, under an
opinion of the same officer. does the
provision against the locating of a place
where intoxicating liquors are sold
within AGO feet of church or school
apply, which would seem to indicate
that the trainers of the law intended to
place clubs on different footing from
a barrcom.
Eighteen Clubs in District.
"At present there are in the District
OF Columbia eighteen licensed clubs.
fifteen being composed of white mem
bers and three of colored. The police
reports made each year on the applica-
tions and the reports of the boards in
spector made many times during the
year do not show a condition of affairs
as represented by Mr.. Cunningham. 1t
would seem that if the places are
conducted as he says they are the
neighbors would naturally protest
against the annoyance necessarily
caused by slch conditions. No remon-
strance has ever been received by the
board against the three places men
toned by him from those living adja-
cent to the said places. the nearest ap-
Proach to 4 protest being az anonymous
communication against the locating of
one OF them, which was inspired by, if
Tot emanating from, one who had a Ii
oense IS 2 dispenser Of liquors in the
near neighborhood, and feared the ex-
istence of more privileged rival
Has Refused Licenses.
"Since the year 1894 this board has
rejected the licenses of five clubs, based
cifhe- on . bad police record or on the
complaint of neighbors. During said pc
riod the board has refused to license at
least fifteen clubs.
Asks for Evidence.
"The board has no desire TO continue
q club which it not bona fide. or is not
conducted in a proper manner. If Mr..
Cunningham. when the licenses for
clubs are considered next year, will
present evidence in substantiation of
The charges made, the board will hear
lin and give the matter the cOnsidera-