Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-18
SCOPE OF LIQUOR Law
Opinion Upon The Clause Re-
lating to Minors.
MUST BE ENFORCED
GENERAL APPLICATION OF TILE
PROVISIONS PROBABLE.
Minors May Not Enter Any Place
Without Consent of Parent
or Guardian.

Members OF the police force have been
instructed to make Investigations and file
complaints in the Police Court against all
persons alleged to have violated the pro-
visions OF the liquor law relating to min
ors. Particular attention is to be given
the clause in the excise law which pro-
vides that no minor under sixteen years
of age shall be allowed to enter any place
where liquors are sold other than hotel
without the consent of the parent or guard
ian of such minor"
The question of enforcing this part of
the law was brought to the attention of
the authorities several days ago when Mr..
Frederick R. Proctor inquired of Commits
sioner mcfarland if there was not come
law which would prevent children from
visiting a local place of amusement where
liquor is dispensed. Major Sylvester was
and his response was that warrants could
not be obtained at the Police Court for
the proprietors of such places upon the
grounds stated.
the subject and defined how the business
is conducted. He admitted that he thought
there had been no violation of the proyis-
ions of the law.
ten upon the official paper the matter was
referred to Mr.. DuyalI the cprpor ton
counsel, and IN an opinion sent to the Com
missioners he made known his position. in
the matter. He reached the conclusion
that the law had been violated by admit
ting to the place children under the age
Of sixteen years who had not the consent
of their parents guardians. His views
were communicated to Mr.. Pugh, the as
sistant corporation counsel. and the latter
notified the police that he was prepared to
issue warrants as soon as they obtained
the proof in the cases
Others May Be Included.
It is said the decision of the corporation
counsel may affect more than place
Of amusement Under the law it is pro-
yided that minors under the age stated are
not to be allowed to enter any place where
liquors sold
This does not necessarily mean the bar
room'' said Mr.. Pugh to a Star reporter,
but means the building in which the sa-
loen is located Under this Interpretation
of the law, l told, theaters may be
brought within its provisions when there
are saloons in the same buildings in which
the performances are given"
He stated, however, that the ma tier is
one for the courts to decide, and he will
present the cases as soon as the police APP
ply for the warrants. 1t is likely that the
police will obtain proof and swear out
that the question may be tested.
To Whom Law Applies.
1t is thought that the agitation Of this
question at this time will result in a more
strict enforcement of the provisions of the
law. Under the clause quoted it is made
an offense for boys under the age of six
teen years to enter saloons and rooms
connected with them in which liquors are
dispensed, without the consent of their
parents or guardian. This Is taken TO APP
ply to newsboys, messenger boys and others
who enter such places whether in the per-
Torrance of their duties or for other pur
poses, unless they have the consent that is
required. Saloonkeepers are very much in
terested in the matter and many OF them
are anxious to have children kept from
their places.
1T is annoying to US to have children
continually entering places of bust
ness remarked a dealer to Star re-
porter. Seldom night passes that sew
eral boys and girls do not come in my sa-
loon and virtually 'hold-up' my patrons
Some of them selling trinkets and
others are begging, and they generally an
noy people who are in the bar. If refused
they usually become impudent, and many
is no place for child and l hope the po-
lice will enforce the law. AS things are
now man does not like to appear harsh
to children, but with strict enforcement
in his own defense. and 1t would be but
short time before children would under
stand that they would have to keep out Of
saloons
Under Another Clause
The enforcement of this provision of the
law. 1t Is thought, will also revive the Sec
ton under which saloonkeepers are prose-
cuted for selling liquor to minors. This
section provides: THAT no licensee In any
place shall knowingly sell or permit to be
sold in his establishment any intoxicating
liquor of any kind to any person under the
age of twenty-one years. under the penalty
upon due conviction thereof, of forfeiting
such license and no person SO forfeiting his
license shall again be granted license for
the term of two years"
Complaints are made from time to time
that this section Of the law is being vio-
lated, but not many cases of the kind have
been taken into court during recent years.