The Washington times., 1904-12-23
CLOSING SALOONS
ON HOLIDAYS IS
HOTLY DEBATED
Hearing on House Bill
Before Commission
ers Today.
PEOPLE ARE ACTIVE
Anti-Saloon League, w. c.
T. u, and Jonadabs
Represented.

Two opposing forces met in the board
| room OF the District Building this after
noon at the hearing granted the Anti
Saloon League on H r bill I5S08, in
| trodueed by Representative DalzeIi of
Pennsylvs mia, prohibiting the sale of
intoxicating liquors in the District on
| New Year Day, Washington's Birth
day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day,
Christmas, Presidential election day and
| Inauguration Day
Besides representatives of the Anti
Saloon League, the Commissioners lis
| tened to arguments in favor of the bill
from representatives of many other
temperance organizations The room
was crowded In the center OF a group
OF women representing the W. C. 7. L.
sat Myer Fisher, president OF the Fed
eration- of Liquor Dealers; George A.
Davidson, secretary. and ex-senator
John M Thurston, the attorney for the
Federation, who was present to oppose
favorable action on the bill by the
Commissioners.
Attorney Shoemaker Speaks.
A E Shoemaker. attorney for the
Antl-Saloon League. was the first
speaker Other league representatives
VINO were present we're James L. Ewin,
president A N CanneId, secretary, and
Charles s Smith AR Garfield also
represented the Independent Order of
Good TeEnplars. The Rev c. II. Butler.
pastor of the Keller Memorial Iuthera,
Church. appeared on behalf of the In
theran Young Peoples Union.
a letter was received from Dr. Teunis
. bdmlln, who was unable TO be pres
ent. urging favorable action on the bill.
George w. Drew, attorney TenreSer,ted
the Independent Order of Sons of Jona-
dab; Lieut.. John C. Daley, the araud
ehlef OF the order. was present. ara te=-
combined order in the District: ]. y.
Farr, chairman; Philip Weber. ia abian
Columbus. b N Wildman, G. ". Hill.
and William A Hickey.
EndeavoIers Favor BIZ.
Owen p KeIIar appeared on behalf of
the District Christian Endeavor Union.
of which he is president Mrs Clinton
Smith. president of the Women's Chris
tian- Temperance Union; Mrs Emma. s.
Shelton, Mrs. w E. De ReImer. and
others were present.
The reports of The Excise Board and
Major Sylvester opposing the proposed
bill were read at the beginning OF the
hearing.
Five Minute Limit.
There were so many speakers a five
minute limit was established and ad-
hered to by al. Mr. Keliar. on behalf
of the Christian Endeavor, and A. y.
Garfield. on behalf of the Anti-SaIoon
League, were the first speakers after
Mr. Shoemaker
Mrs. Clinton Smith spoke from the
mothers standpoint and said she repre-
sented over one thousand Christian
women gorge Drew made an urgent
plea for favorable action and held that
people should not be disturbed on hoIi-
days in the full enjoyment of the bless
ings or peace and quietude which was
their right.
D D. Thompson, on behalf of the
Methodist contingent. replied to Major
Sylvester's plea for more men for the
police force. that 1t would take less rner,
of the results of the violations of the
law
Liquor Makes Trouble.
Leisure and liquor make trouble"
was the text of DR.. Butler. who declared
the city of Washington was disgraced
every Inauguration day. Mr.. Shoemaker
was asked by Commissioner MacfarIand
| if any States had provisions closing sa-
looms on holidays. but ne was unable to
reply definitely
Other speakers We're Mr.. Wilson rep
A
Bishop. of the Ninth Street Christian
Church; Prof Smith. of George Wash
ington University. and President Ewin,
OF the Anti-Saloon League
The Business Interest.
Senator Thurston stated that he was
not present to disucss the temperance
question, but from a business stand.
point. representing a federation which
embraced in its membership over 400 of
the liquor dealers of the city, not in
Guiding hotel keepers. He said:
I know OF no city in the United States
or any size where there is a regulation
closing saloons on holidays, except on
election cay, and there is no correspond
ing day In the District" He believed
the District excise laws were the most
drastic and best observed in the coun-
try, and thated there had been but two
convictions for violations IN 1866 He
held IL was not wise to proceed further
! along the line proposed by the bill.
Views Of Mr DarneilIe.
Assessor Darneille. chairman of the
| Excise Board announced that the board
| had fully considered its action before
| making an adverse report
The members had ALREADY discussed
the advisabiIty of stipulatia:s that the
saloons close on Christmas Day, which
| he held sacred, and that this regulation,
would probably be made and no licenses
would be issued TO saloons which failed
| to observe IL. He said the law gave the
! Excise Board this authority without
| further enactment.
He did not approve the yropOSed hin
| as concerning other holidays
| The Commissioners took the matter
under aGyiSement.