The Washington times., 1902-03-20
Commissioners Favorably
Report on Measure.
CONTAINS NEW LEGISLATION
Feature of Bill Is Provision to Punish
Minor Who Obtains Liquor by False
ly Representing His Age-Change in
Revocation of License


The Commissioners have sent to the
Senate Committee of the District of Co
lumbia, a favorable report upon bill 1902
10 regulate the sale of intoxicating IL
Guor in the District
Several amendments are suggested tC
the bill, the majority of them being YER
bal. and not essentially affecting The
meaning OF the proposed measure. II
their report the Commissioners point out
the differences between the present law
and the provisions of the bill, in several
instances inviting attention especially tC
what in their opinion is an improvement
over existing legislation.
Changes Contemplated by the Bill.
The changes in the Jaw contemplated
by the bill, and the reasons therefor
are substantially as follows:
Section l changes the act of March 8
1892 tthe present excise law), by re-
Curing the maker. brewer, or dstilleI
of liquors to take out license therefor
it also includes among the things as de-
fined in the term Intoxicating liquors =
"cordials'' and hard or fermented ci-
der.
Section incorporates section Is OF the
act of August IA. 1894, providing for an
excise board to be composed of the
board of assistant assessors. Provision
is made for a reference of questions OF
law arising under the act to the Su-
preme Court of the District of Columbia
The annual report now required by ex-
listing law to be made to Congress is
changed so that the same is made to
the Commissioners, so that it will be
sent to Congress as a part of the Com
misioners' report and not separately as
now.
Duties of Assistant Clerk.
Sec. 8. An assistant clerk to the board
was provided for by the act of May 10.
1894. Proposed changed incorporates old
law, Increases his salary from 1000 to
S,2oo per annum, imposes the duty of the
clerk to make inspection on assistant
clerk, and requires him to wear badge
Indicative of his Office.
Section 4, paragraph /, requires appli-
cant to swear how long he has resided in
the District of Columbia At present he
swears to his name and residence and how
long he has resided there
Section 4, paragraph .. provides in
addition to giving location of place as
now provided the length of time he has
been engaged in business at said place
Section 4, paragraph 4. applicant must
swear whether he has been convicted of
violating the excise or gambling laws, and
not as provided in the organic act, that he
has not been convicted of such violation
Section 4, paragraph 6. strikes out pro-
vision of present law requiring applicant 1
10 swear whether he has any other license
for similar business.
Provision Governing License.
Section 5. In obtaining signatures of
owners and residents in the county for
barroom license a change is made so as
10 require the applicant TO obtain the
signatures of such persons within $50
feet of the building where license is
sought, instead of the place. Provision
is also made that persons licensed at pas
sage OF act are not required under it to
again obtain legal signers. There is add
ed a proyiso that il shall not be manda-
tory on the board TO grant renewal. of
license.
Sec. 6. The age limit of sixteen year, q
is stricken out in regard to notice by
wife, etc, on saloon keeper forbdding
sales OF liquor TO a person who is in
the habit of becoming intoxicated
father and son may also serve such notice
and ii may be served If the saloon keeper
gives or furnishes. II can now be only
given in case sale is made and son
cannot serve such notice. A requirement
providing that interior of .barroom must
De exposed at all times TO full view from
the street is sought to be enacted. This,
at present, is provided for by regulation
OF the board. but it only applies to Sun
days and after u O'Clock midnight.
The proposed law provides in the case
of club tina. some member shall be
designated as licensee. who shall be held
responsible. 1t remedies defect in the
law as passed upon by the Police Court
New Legislation to Punish Minors.
Section I is new legislation, there
being no law to punish a minor who OBJ
tains liquor by falsely representing his
age.
Section s more clearly defines the
license year; changes the fee for trans
fer CT license to be paid by the party ap-
plying for transfer, and not the one trans
ferring. and allows license TO be trans
ferred to any other place.
Section 9, in part. amends section s
Of the law, and is TO correct. as regards
sale OF liquor in quantities less than a
pint not TO be drunk on the premises
Makers. brewers, and distillers in the
District of Columbia and the agents of
such outside the District, but doing bust
ness here. are not required to take out
license. nor are they amenable to the law
except by special act providing against
Sunday selling. This enactment would
require them TO pay a license fee and be
held responsible for violating the law.
Right Accorded Police.
Section l gives member of the Met-
ropolitan Police Force on duty, who has
reason TO believe the law is being vio
lated, a right to enter and examine at all
times the licensed premises. There is
no such provision of law now.
Section u changes the law in requiring
a druggist selling liquor on a prescrip-
tion TO only fill the same when made by a
duly registered physician, reputable ply
sician being the requirement now. II
allows members of the metropolitan Po-