Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-08
DEFENSE OF EXCISE BOARD
CHAIRMAN GRIFFIN MAKES RE-
PLY TO CRITICISM.
Declares That Most Of the Allegations
Of Opponents of Saloons
Are Erroneous.

AS result OF the criticisms OF the Dis
trict excise board by opponents OF the
hQuor traff1c of the District, f w w,
IriHn. assessor OF the District and chair
man OF the excise board, declares tfat
most OF the expressions and allegations OF
the opponents OF saloons ara erroneous and
unjust to the members of the excise board
Mr. Grimm says that the board is COM
posed OF gentlemen OF the highest charac-
Ter, rare intelligence. and without prejudice
10 the interests of the friends or foes of the
iiQuor traffic. He says they labor to do
their duty fearlessly and honestly and In
strict accordance with the law, and In the
construction OF the law they are also i'm
partial.
Comparatively Few Violations.
Mr. Griffin stated TO a Star reporter today
that IL Is fact that there are compare
lively few violations of the excise laws, and
ihoeeo In that respect II may lie said this
Is the best-governed city In the country.
The excise laws and regulations" Mr..
Griffin added. gov erning the LIQUOR t-afHe
IN the District OF Columbia are well formu-
lated Wit view to guarding and protect
ing the interests OF the citizens and prop
erty owners, while they provide severe pun
lshment for violations of the law
In explaining the mode of procedure of
the excise board In handling applications
LOT liquor licenses filed with 1t for permis-
sion TO engage in the liquor traffic, Mr..
Griffin said:
Prior to the consideration of an applica-
ton IT must have the certificate OF the as
SCISSOR that majority of property owners
on the side OF the block or square on which
II is desired to locate the, business, and on
the confronting side, applicable to retail
and hotels. and in addition the certificate of
the lieutenant of police attested by the
captain OF the precinct that a Majority of
residents have signed. and that the sigma
lures OF both residents and property owners
are genuine.
1t is provided by excise board regulation
that notice shall be 2osted on the premises
that license. retail or wholesale, has been
applied for. with the applicants name. This
Is intended to inform the owners and resi-
dents so that they can fi.e objections.
Opportunity to Object.
This notice is required to remain at least
seven days, at the expiration of which pc
riod the application is before the board.
but II protests are filed by the attorney for
the Anti-Saloon League and others who
desire hearing the case is set for deh-
mite period.
At the hearing full and ample facilities
are given the protestants and attorney for
the Anti-SaloOn League to present their
objections, as also to those who favor
after which the matter rs taken under ad-
visement by the board, and the evidence
from every point OF view carefully weighed
and action taken thereon in the best judg
ment of the board, always taking into CON
sideration the candid expressions of the
protestants and the recommendatio OF
the police department.
Careful inquiry Is made as to the
character of the applicant, the neighbor-
hood, surroundings, etc.
I'm all cases coming before the boa I'd il
should be said that the attorney for the
Anti-SalOon League plays an important
part, and his zeal and fidelity are acknowl-
edged and recognized the representa-
a mon
and women. who are honestly laboring for
the good of the community. In wholesale
applications signers are not required, but
practically the board recognizes the senti-
n,ent of q compunity"