Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-18
DEFECT IN LOCAL LAW
No Authority for Licensing
Bowling Alleys.
REFUNDS DEM ANDED
THOSE WHO HAD PAID FEES
WANT MONEY RETURNED.
Provision Of Law Previously in Force
Was Repealed by the
New Code.

The very annoying fact was discovered
today by the District authorities that there
is no provision of law for the licensing of
bowling alleys in the capital city. The pro-
prietors of many of these establishments
have also made the discovery and are ap-
plying to the Commissioners for a refund
of the amounts paid by them under a mis-
apprehension. Until Congress meets again
and a special license bill can be introduced
and passed the bowling alleys will have the
privilege of doing business at their old
stands without contributing penny to the
revenues of the District.
The District assessor Mr.. H H. OAR
nellie, and the collector of taxes, Mr.. E. G.
Davis. have both recommended that re-
funds be made in the cases where applica-
tons have been filed. The matter comes
under the supervision of Commissioner
West and to him Mr.. Darneille made a
statement to the effect that the provision
for the licensing of bowling alleys was ev-
identity omitted from the license law Of
July l, 1902. through a clerical error, as the
alleys were included In the draft of the law
prepared at the District building. There
was a provision in the license laws of the
old legislative assembly. but this law, 1t is
claimed. was specifically repealed by the
new code. which made necessary the license
law passed last year. Mr.. Darneille said he
had spoken to the corporation counsel Mr..
A. B. Duvall, about the matter and it was
upon his verbal opinion that the recon-
mendations for refund were based.
Reference to Counsel.
Before the moneys paid for taxes by the
bowling alley people are refunded, how
ever 1t Is probable the papers will be re-
ferred to the corporation counsel for his
written opinion in order that the records
In the cases may be made complete. AS
the District had collected for the present
year the sum of $40 for each alley in opera
ton. the revenues derived from this source
were quite large. Few of these establish
ments have less than four alleys in use
Tracey L. Jeffords. as attorney, present
ed to the Commissioners the claims of
Louis Brandt. proprietor of the Golden
Eagle alleys, New Jersey avenue and ID
streets northwest, for refund of $40, paid
last October; of Peter L. Keyser of Sth and
E streets northwest for return of $50,
also paid last October and of J. ]. Dobbert
731 North Capitol street, for a return Of
$50. Philip ]. Roche of 1895 street north
west presented his own claim of $40 for
license on four alleys in his establishment.
Mr.. e. G. Davis, the collector of taxes,
has certified in each case that the amount
claimed for refund was collected from the
several applicants. According to the GER
tif1cate OF the assessor. he continues the
payment was enormously collected. as there
is no provision in existing law to tax bowl
ing alleys. The collector recommends that
the various sums be refunded and the IL
censes surrendered and cancelled, provld-
ed the law approved August %. 1870. re-
quiring the proprietors of bowling alleys
to pay $10-each per annum was repealed.
The Assessors Report.
In his report on the matter the assessor
refers to this old law of the legislative as
sembly, and says
by authority of this act all bowling al
leys In the District of Columbia were
licensed until the passage of the act of
July 1, 1902 In this act no mention is
made of bowling alleys, and from what l
know of the history of the preparation of
this law, I am sure that its omission was
due TO clerical error This act provides,
however. In paragraph As: keepers of bill
lard, bagatelIe, Jenny Lind and pool ia
bles. shuttle boards or any table upon which
legitimate games are played, within the
District of Columbia, for public use, or for :
profit or gain, shall continue to pay to the
collector of taxes of the District Of Column
bia S12 per annum license for each table"
Under a Misrepresentation of the pro-
visions of this law, several bowling alleys
were licensed at the rate of $40 per annum.
for the license year beginning November 1.
1902 do not believe that bowling alleys
are liable to license under existing law,
and am consequently of the opinion that
the amounts paid should be refunded