Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1904-11-04
RAID AT CHEVY CHASE.

| Ane washington 1OV Vi SATURDAY las
gives the following:
The Chevy Chase Club, at Chevy Chase
Montgomery county, was raided on FRIDAY
by Deputy Sheriff George W. Mullican anC
Constable Edward Bradley, In an effort Il
secure evidence that intoxicating liquors ART
being dispensed to members In violation o.
the local option law of the county. A large
quantity Of liquid refreshments Of all kinds
was found, together with paraphernalia fol
serving drinks. These are now In the Gus.
tody of Sheriff Arthur Williams.
| When the officers made known the Object
OF their visit much surprise was manifested
by those at the club at the time, but no at.
tempt was made to thwsrt the officers They
were treated with marked courtesy and con.
sideration.
The first move against the Chevy Chase
Club was made at the recent meeting OF the
Montgomery County Anti'Saloon League
at Sandy Spring, when it was announced
that two internal revenue licenses for the
sale Of intoxicating liquors were held in
Montgomery county, one of which was the
the Chevy Chase Club. The announcement
preclpitated lively discussion, and the
unanimous opinion of the gathering was
that action against the organization should
be taken at once.
The leagues attorney, Mr.. Frank Higgins,
was directed to consult with States Attor.
ney Robert b. Peter in regard to the matter,
and that gentleman, upon being advised Of
the wishes of the league, stated that he would
give the movement his earnest support, as
he was In favor Of enforcing the local option
law without discrimination. II the Chevy
Chase Club was selling liquor in the county
to members of the club or to any other per-
sons 1t was violating the local option law,
and should be prosecuted. Accordingly,
Constable Edward Bradley, at the instance
OF Mr.. Higgins, swore out a search warrant,
which was prepared by States Attorney
Peter. 1t was this warrant that was served
Friday. The bartender was arrested, but
almost Immediately released.
Under the present local option law, the
holding of an internal revenue license and
the presence on the premises Of intoxicating
liquor is prima facie evidence of guilt. In all
search warrant cases, such as the raid oil Fiji
day, the Sheriff must make his report OF the
raid to the States Attorney, and 1t is the duty
oil the latter to bring the matter TO the atten'
ton of the grand jury.
The next grand jury for Montgomery
county covenes Monday, November IA; On
the evidence secured Friday the States At
torney is decidedly Of the opinion that in.
dictments must follow, and he has expressed
himself as standing ready to push the cases.
1t was stated at the Chevy Chase Club on
Friday that the matter will be tested In the
courts to the limit, and, as the Montgomery
County Anti. Saloon League and States At
torney Peter are equally determined, some
lively legal sparring is looked for.
II was estimated last night by members OF
Nha Ol,1h haro in w aahinUinn that the li0nnF
confiscated by the sheriff's posse was worth
between 5000 and $500. DR.. +. b. Lonng,
chairman of the clubs house committee, re-
fused to make any statement regarding the
action of the Montgomery county officials.
1t was against the rules OF the club, he said,
to discuss its affairs for publication.
1t was about II O'Clock yesterday morn
ing when the officials made their appear
ance at the club house. All the liquor in
the storeroom connected with kitchen and
In the refrigerator was taken, but this was
by no means all the liquor In the house.
Down in the cellar were demijohns and bot
ties by scores that escaped the eye OF the
officers. The value of this liquor Is esti'
mated at 81 $50 to $1,000. After the officers
had gone and the shades Of night had fallen,
the club sent to the city for big drays, and
whole wagon loads of the clubs liquor were
hauled TO place of safety within the Dis
trict. The last wagon load left the club
house about 1890 O'Clock last night.
1t is claimed that the law in the county
gives the sheriff the right not only to seize
liquors actually being sold, but also any in
toxicating drink in any form held by any
person, even though In private house. 80
far as the Chevy Chase Club is concerned
1t has always been perfectly frank in ad-
hitting that it housed liquors of all kinds
for the use of its members. 1t was served
in the colonial taproom, on the verandas, In
the dining room, and even in the ingle-
hooks beside the open freplaces. Just as
they would in a hotel the walters broke the
seals on some bottles and brought them into
the rooms ready to be used. But II was
always -,derstood, indeed insisted upon,
that the drinkers were using their own
stock. Every bottle was labeled with the
owners name, and not cent ever changed
hands.
The Chevy Chase Club numbers among
its membership some of the most prominent
men at the National Capital, including mem.
bere Of the United States Supreme Court and
the diplomatic corps, Senators, Representa-
tives, and others high In public office, be-
sides residential leaders in business and
social life.
Among the clubs members Is Mr.. Arthur
Peter, well-known attorney OF this city
and a brother of States Attorney Peter, Of
Montgomery county. He has been retained
BY the club as its counsel in the impending
litigation, and the trial of the case will pre-.
sent the unusual spectacle Of brothers pitted
against each other as attorneys at bar.
Threats have been made from time 10 time
that the playing Of Sunday golf on the
Chevy Chase links would be stopped by the
Montgomery law officers on the ground that
II involved unnecessary Sunday labor for
the caddies No match games are played on
Sundays, but many Of the members whose
business does not admit OF play on week
days have made practice OF going the
rounds OF the links on Sunday. Prosecu.
ton on this score at any time would not
surprise members OF the club.