Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-01-12
SENATOR IS WITNESS
Mr.. Burkett of Nebraska Before
Excise Board.
OPPOSED TO THE SALOON
Says It is Detrimental to Property In
terests.
A SPIRITED CONTEST TODAY
Evidence Of Large Number Of Wit
nesses-Arguments Of Counsel to
Be Heard Monday.
SPIRITED CONTEST TODAY

A small room on the second floor of the
District building, In which the members of
the excise board meet to consider liquor IL
cense applications and protests against the
issuance of such licenses, was crowded this
morning when Assessor Darneille and AS
sistant Assessors kalbfus and Trtmbe met
to consider case. vigorous protest had
been filed agains the further licensing or
the place conducted by John B. Buckley at
10th and T streets northwest Interest in
the matter was shown by neighbors of the
saloon keeper and others who signed the
protest, and the appearance of Senator
Burkett of Nebraska as one of the chief
protestants was the means of attracting
a large audience.
Mr. Buckley, it was stated, has been in
business at 10th and T streets since 1885,
and while protests against a continuance
of his business there have been made in
former years, 1t was not until this year
that the protest took such a serious form
as at present. On behalf Of the protestants
Attorney Albert E. Shoemaker Of the Anti
saloon League and Attorney Ralph Barnard
appeared as counsel. Mr.. Buckley was rep
resented by Attorneys Alexander Bell and
R. L. Montague and Mr.. Frank P. Madi-
gan Of the National Capital Brewing Com
pany.
Technical points raised by counsel for the
OeIenuantS having peen OVeTTuleO anO eX-
ceptions noted. Senator Burkett was sworn
as a witness. AS q resident and property
owner Of the Vicinity of Mr.. Buckley's sa-
loon Senator Burkett stated that he was
opposed to the granting of a license to
Mr.. Buckley.
1T Is not the proper place for a saloon"
said the senator, because it Is an injury
to property and a detriment to the inter
ests of the people in that section.
Regarded as Undesirable.
The senator said he considered such a
place as being very undesirable, and
charged that most of the patrons of the sa-
loon are colored people, who are attracted
there in large numbers. He also objected
to the saloon being licensed there because
his family resides in the vicinity, and he
does not want his children to come in con-
tact with the people who patronize II.
Cross-examined by Mr.. Bell, Senator Bur-
kett said he did not know that Mr. Buck
iey's saloon was in the neighborhood at
me time he purchased his property. He
had spoken to Maj. Sylvester about the
saloon and had also filed letter of pro-
test with the excise board. On one or two
occasions he had seen intoxicated colored
men in the vicinity of the saloon, but
could not say that they had come from
Buckley's place. The senator said he knew
colored property owner in the section
in which the saloon is located, named Gas
kips, and said he had procured his sigma
employed In the Capitol, but he (witness)
did not threaten to have him discharged
ii he refused to sign the protest
: II could not have discharged him If |
had desired to do So said the senator
He is an appointee of Senator Hale"
In conclusion. the senator stated he did
not object to the saloon because it is
saloon, but because of It's location In a
residential neighborhood
Are you temperance mann asked MIR.
Bell.
Il don't drink" was his response
Are you a prohibitionist?'
81 am not" was his responce.
Opening Address