Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-21
OPPOSED TO LICENSE
STRONG PROTESTS AGAINST
SALOON IN UNION STATION.

1t was made manifest today that there
Is strong sentiment against the District
| excise board granting a license for the
sale of intoxicating liquors on the
premises of the new Union station. This
sentiment developed at a hearing before
that board today upon the application of
James E. Thomas, steward of the Union
station. for transfer of his liquor license
from the abandoned 9th street station to
the new Union station
Pastors of Washingtons most promi-
nent churches. religious workers, members
of the Anti-Saloon League and private
citizens were at the hearing and entered
vigorous protests against the granting of
the license
Some of the speakers ventured to say
that if a vote were taken the citizens of
this city would defeat such a purpose
and so great is the declared sentiment
against a saloon being installed at the sta
ton in which the public takes such pride
| that IL it were generally known applica-
ton for such saloon has been made the
District building would not be large
enough to hold those who would be pres
ent to protest.
The opposition to the application was
conducted by Albert E. Shoemaker, at
|
opened the case of the opponents by in
| forming the board that there is general
| protest, representing churches of all de-
nominations and private citizens and or
CARNATIONS. against the issuance of this
| license. He said the station Is patronized
by all classes, the majority of whom are
persons who do not indulge in intoxi-
cants, and who will be opposed to enter
ing the dining room at the Union station
if liquor is sold. He also said the appli-
Loo &c or font n h.
ington Terminal Company. the consent OF
which is all that is necessary for the APP
plicant. has refused to sign applications
of private individuals for saloons adjacent
| to it's properties throughout the city, say
| ing that the presence of saloon mas a
bad effect upon the employees of railroad
| system.
/ Much surprise was caused during the
| hearing when Mr. Thomas, the applicant,
| said the Washington Terminal Company
| originally intended to conduct the restau-
rant at the new station without liquor
| and that the company was opposed 10
| having a barroom license and that the
| application was made only after num-
i Der of regular patrons of the road made
repeated requests that liquor DE soid on
the premises.
The Opponents.
/ Among those who spoke in opposition
were: Rev. M. Ross lshburn, pastor of
Mount Pleasant Congregational Church;
Rev. Charles F. Winbigler, pastor of First
Baptist Church; Rev. Charles E. Guthrie,
pastor of Hamline Methodist Episcopal
| Church; Rev. George r. Maydwell, pastor
of Waugh M. E. Church; Edward Tarring,
| president of the Christian Endeavor AS.
ISOLATION of Washington; H. D. Gordon OF
the Gospel Mission; Rev. Donald INC
Leod, pastor o. the First Presbyterian
| Church and president of the Anti-Saloon
| League, and T. M. Hare, superintendent
of the Anti-Saloon League. There were
| also present a number of men and women
representing associations and property
| owners.
DR.. Mcleod said it was only within the
| last two days that he knew an applica-
| ton had been made for saloon at the
| Union station.
"Our new station" he said. sis regarded
| as one of the most expensive and mag
| nifcent structures in the world. and is
looked upon ny the citizens of this city
| with pride. They have watched its de-
velopment with much interest and pleas
| ure, and are now shocked to learn since
! its completion that it is to be magnin-
| cent barroom. It cannot be said there is
| any necessity for saloon on the prem
ises of the station other than an abnor-
| NAL necessity, and such necessity as
this the authorities should make every
| effort to prevent"
He concluded by calling attention to the
great temptat ton a saloon would offer to
| the thousands of persons who patron1ze
! the station, many of whom spend hours
| in waiting, some with anxiety and excite
| ment and others distressed and disap-
pointed 1t is such people as these, he
| said, who would be tempted to pay visits
to the barroom while waiting.
| DR.. Fishburn made his protest in the
| interest of greater Washington, for the
present and the future He said this city
| is improving in morality and society and
| should be classed among the good cities
| of the country, where young manhood ana
20 T. Ia To-
clared that the gateway to this city
| should make a good appearance and
should not be spoiled and disgraced by
| the presence of a saloon. He concluded
| by saying he most earnestly protested
| against the issuance of a license, saying
| he voiced the sentiments of his congrega-
| ton and the majority of citizens of Mount
| Pleasant.
| DR.. Charles F. Guthrie of the Hamline
Church declared that there is strong Op-
position on the part of his congregation
| of more than 800 persons against the sell
| ing of liquor at the new station. DIR.
| Maydwell said he voiced the sentiments OF
his congregation of 700 persons and LOCO
| others in opposing this application.
| DR.. Winbigler said every one of his con-
| gregation is opposed to making a public
drinking place of the handsome new sta
ton, and he ventured to say the Wash
| ington Terminal Company is in reality
| opposed to such procedure. He said the
| only object in securing the license is self
| ish and mercenary for the financial en-
| richment of some person, and If the rail-
roads that form this company are made
aware of the extent of the opposition they
| will not agree to the use of the station for
| such a purpose.
Following the hearing the board an
| nounced postponement of decision I'M
| til after it has taken the various argu-
| ments under consideration. Mr.. Thomas,
| the applicant, was the only person who
addressed the board in favor of the IL
cense and his remarks were brief.
PLANS FOR STREET CAR STRIKE