Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-22
BEFORE EXCISE BOARD
POLICEMEN AND OTHERS TES-
THY AT HEARING TODAY.

The application for a renewal Of q whole
sale liquor license by Herbert Guggenheim,
at the corner of 9th and r streets, was the
subject of spirited hearing before the ex-
else board at the District building today.
The protestants aimed their objections
chiefly against the fact that the place Is
directly opposite the Business High School
and is only short distance from the Nc
Kinley Manual Training School. Although
he did not appear in person, Admiral
Baird, president of the board of educa-
ton, was among those who filed papers
with the excise board requesting that the
license not be granted.
The place has been in existence accord
ing to the testimony, for fourteen years,
and when Mr.. Guggenheim, who Is young
man, applied for a renewal of his license
several weeks ago, he found that a large
majority Of the property owners and resi-
dents in the vicinity had decided that the
neighborhood is a purely residential one
and the selling of liquor is Objectionable
More than 100 persons signed petition
circulated by the Anti-Saloon League
protesting against the place. The principal
objection offered by the protestants, aside
from the location of the place, was that
1t is frequented at all hours of the day by
teamsters and colored laborers, who, it
Is claimed, drink beer from buckets, while
standing in front Of the place, causing
much disorder and distasteful appearances.
MI Guggenhefm was represented by w. T.
Whalen, agent for the Abner-Drury Brewing
Company. The former stated to the board
that he had always attempted to conduct
his place in an orderly manner, and that
no complaint had ever been made of any
d1sorderly conduct within the store. He
said he had curtailed considerable of his
bucket trade, and that he has removed all
liquor signs or advertisements from the
front OF the building, as well as having re-
quested his patrons not to drink liquor in
front or the store or in the neighborhood
The protestants at the hearing were rep
resented to Attorney Albert Shoemaker of
the Anti-Saloon League. Those who spoke
against the issuance of the license were H.
B. Moulton. Rev. Carl I. Doney, president
Of the Anti-Saloon League; W. H. Proctor.
w. B. Tullock and o. B. Bryant. The
BOARD concluded the hearing by announc-
ing 1t would take the case under advise
ment before rendering decision.
Alleged Disorderly Place.
The board next heard the case of Ed
ward B. Roche, who conducts saloon at
18th street and Ohio avenue. He is charged
by the police Of the first Precinct with con-
Quoting a disorderly place. The police re-
cited numerous instances when fights as
saults, cutting scrapes and shooting had
OcCuTISu SucIt. Sdpt. Williams ana Sergt.
Lee were among those who testified re-
garding the alleged bad character of
Roche's saloon.
TT is frequented by the lowest types of
the city's population, both white and col
ored. and representing both sexes" Capt.
Williams said.
Lieut. Hartley of the same precinct made
what appeared to be considerable of an
impression upon the members of the board
by telling how he entered the saloon about
430 o'clock one morning recently and in a
rear room found beautiful. well-dressed
white girl, not more than twenty years of
age, sitting on chair so intoxicated she
could not hold her head up. Alongside her
sat a big colored man offering her glass
Of liquor.
Lieut. Hartley said, land placing the young
woman In q cab had her driven to her
neighborhood.'
In answer to question from Chairman
Trimble of the board Lieut.. Hartley said
such occurrences are frequent.
Private Mcdonnell, upon whose beat
Roche's place Is located, stated that he is
called upon nearly every night to make an
arrest at the saloon or Quell fight or dis
turbance. He added that the saloon has two
rear rooms, one Of which is for white people
and the other for colored people, but the
class OF citizens who patronize the saloon
generally prefer to mingle. y
Other policemen to testify were Sergts
Hollinberger, Lehman and Curry, and Pri-
Yates Wolf, Lintler and Ward.
Mr.. Roche was present at the hearing. but
made no statement in his behalf except that
he would be willing to do anything to bet
ter the conduct at his saloon.
The board announced that 1t will render
decision next week.