Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-03
MEETING TO PROTEST
Citizens Are Arrayed Against
Proposed Bar Room.
MENACE TO THE PUBLIC
At Railway Transfer Station on
Brightwood Avenue.
HEARING TO BE ASKED FOR
Residents of District, Takoma Park,
Sligo, Woodside, Forest Glen,
ETC., in Movement.


the District of Columbia and of Maryland
was held last evening at o'clock in Ia
koma Hotel North Takoma. to take steps
the prevent the establishment of bar room
on Brightwood avenue. at the District line
Among those present were residents from
Woodside. Forest Glen. Linden. Sligo, North
Takoma, Takoma and Brightwood avenue
In the vicinity of the District line.
The assemblage was called to order by
Mr. Henry Oldys. who explained the object
of the meeting and called for the election
of permanent chairman and secretary.
Mr.. Wilmer G. Plat, mayor-elect of Ia
Roma Park. Md. was unanimously elected
chairman and Councilman L. r. GrabiIf
was elected secretary of the meeting.
Mr.. Grabill read set of resolutions,
which, 1T was stated. set forth all of the
facts of the case. The resolutions recited
that an application has been made to the
excise board of the District of Columbia
for license for a barroom to be opened in
the building owned by the Waters estate
on Brightwood avenue, near the District
line.
THAT the granting of such license would
be extremely Objectionable to an over
whelming majority of the people who reside
in the neighborhood, and other patrons of
the Brightwood railway, who are directly
concerned. for the following reasons:
Il. The location of the proposed bar room
being within fifty yards of the line between
Montgomery county, Md. and the District
of Columbia, proper policing would be i'm
possible, and unusual opportunities would
be offered TO disorder and crime. This was
amply demonstrated when liquor was for
merly sold at this point.
90 The establishment of bar room on
the borders of Montgomery county and Ia
kCma Park. both of which prohibit the sale
of liquor, would nullify the wishes of the
citizens of those communities and introduce
the disorderly element they have endea-
vored to keep out.
20. The place being the limit of travel
for single fare, and at the inter
section of Brightwood avenue with roads
leading from Takoma and vicinity, and
there being no cross roads or streets open
ing into Br;ghtwood avenue from either
side for more than a mile south Of this
point, a large number of citizens are COM
PEELED to take the cars here, including
many ladies and school children. AL cars
going north to Forest Glen and intermedi-
ate points stop Immediately in front of the
proposed bar room for about five min
utes waiting for the down car. The loca-
tion is thus Objectionable from the unusual
number It would expose to annoyance and
danger from the disorder it would intro
duce.
"a. The vicinity is now orderly quiet
and safe. and the homes of hundreds of
law abiding, respectable citizens are
within comparatively short distance.
The establishment of a bar room at this
central point would make waiting for the
cars or passing to or from them not only
very unpleasant, but positively danger
Gus for women and children, especially as
the roads leading to the north, east and
west are not lighted, are lonely at night,
and are entirely without police protec-
ton.
- Property values and rents would de-
crease, the growth of the community
would be checked and undesirable citi-
zens would be attracted-in short, the
opening of the bar room at this point
would be a blight of the worst kind.
20. There are two licensed places at
which liquor can be purchased about
mile south of the District line, and there
Is therefore, no demand for a further
extension of the liquor traffic in our di-
rection. Whatever traffic results will be
created by the opportunity, and not the
effect of any demand.
~. There are now no vested rights in
the saloon business here, as the present
building is new and has never been occu-
pied for any purpose,
That the citizens of both the District
of Columbia and of Montgomery county re-
siding in this vicinity and affected by the
matter, whose signatures are hereto ap-
pended have assembled this I'd day Of
June 1906, in North Takoma, to prevent,
II possible the danger to our families and
to our peace, tranquility and prosperity,
which is seriously threatened by the es-
Establishment of such place upon our bor-
derS.
IH0 hGSOluLlOuS.
1t was therefore resolved that we do
most earnestly and vigorously protest
against the issuance to James F. Cole, or
to any other person, of license for the
sale Of liquor at the place herein described
now or at any future time.
That we respectfully ask that the
else board of the District of Columbia re-
fuse to grant any such license.
We nip1gn
our fight against the sale of liquor at this
point as long as efforts are made to es-
tablish or maintain IL, and that a signed
COPY of these resolutions be forwarded to
the excise board OF the District or Column
bla."
Mr.. Grabin stated further that the excise
board of the District would not consider
reopening of the protest which was filed
last fall against the opening of a bar room
at this point. He said that 1t would be
necessary to present fresh petition 10 the
excise board before any action could be
taken by the board. The law provides, he
said further that a notice shall be posted
seven days before application is made
to the excise board.
This expires Monday. Up to a late hour
yesterday afternoon no application had
been filed with the requisite number of
signers for q license.
At the suggestion of Mr.. George c. Will
son 1t was decided to request public hear
ing before the excise board. The secretary
was also requested to present the petition,
with the signatures. to that board in per-
son.
Mr.. Old stated number of personal let
tiers had been sent to the excise board
against the licensing of a saloon at the
point named. He urged that other similar
communications be forwarded to the board
An Alleged Scheme
Mayor Plat said there was a rumor
afloat to the effect that the Waters estate
had been divided as to get a sufficient
number of signers for the application for
a bar room license. He added that of
course the excise board would take into
consideration the deciding OF land for such
purpose should the report prove to be true
Mr.. George c. Wilson declared he did not
believe the applicant for the license could
legally complete his application
This protest should be made so en-
phatic asd overwhelming" added Mr.. WI
son, that we will not be disturbed hy
similar applications for liquor license every
thirty days or So"
Mrs. +. r. Burkett OF Forest Glen sa
dressed the meeting and called attention to
the many dangers which would undoubtedly
arise IL barroom should be established AZ
the District line She said such a Mace
would prove q menace TO the employees Of
49, IL IL a