The Washington times., 1907-10-06
WASHINGTON IDEAL
FOR ANTFRUN TEST
Census Report on Crime
Starts Prohibition
Talk.
Liquor Man Denounces Con-
gressmen Who Fear
Home Sentiment.

The publication OF the census report
on crime in tho United States in 1895
Yesterday aroused additional interest in
this city in prohibition. raising the ques-
ton whether Congress viii at it's COM
ing session forever prohibit the sale
Of Intoxicants within the District of
Columbia.
Il don't know that there is a plan Of
campaign for this winter" said. Mrs.
Clifton smith. president OF the woman's
Christian Temperance Union of the Dis
trict, but I know there are three or
four members OF the House and a Sen
ator or two who are expected to intro
Guce prohibition bills. After the bills
have been introduced. the temperance
organizations will sec 20 it that Con-
gressmcn 90 not forget that they are
pending.
washington I think an ideal place
for a trial OF prohibition. The people
here do net vote, aud there IS no local
political influences 20 be cXerted against
the enforcement OF the law. Congress
usually provides for a strict enforce
ment OF its laws"
Liquor Mems Views.
Among the liquor men. comment upon
the members Of the two houses Of Con-
gross has taken the place Of argument
on prohibition.
They're all moral cowaIt;;s.'' said
Col. Dennis Muilaney. one OF the best
known saloon men I'm Washington Men
vote for things in which they do not
believe at all. and at the end of the
session riders of the most. Ubiquitous
character are put on appropriation bills.
Congressman probably viii vote for
prohibition bill to keep on good terms
with their prohibition constituents at
home.
But I don't believe such a bill will
pass this winter. If it should, President
Roosevelt, believe. would veto It..
There's man who Is not afraid of any
thing. He might approve an appropria-
ton bill containing a prohibition rider.
but u he did his action would not be
controlled by fear Of those opposed TO
drinking"
Value of Liquor Interests.
Prohibition for the District OF Column
bia would affect about 100000 of prop
erty. There are $50 ordinary saloons IN
Washington, each worth say. 5000.
There are III places having both whole
sale and retail licenses, each OF which
is worth at least $1,000. There are fifty
three hotels in which the bar is worth
on an average $4,000. Each OF the
eighteen clubs that have the liquor priv
ileEe would probably be worth at least
$500 less If denied the privilege Of SELL
Ing liquor. There are four breweries in
the ely worth at least S2.T5O. 600 as going
concerns. Were the manufacture Of beer
forbidden. the properties probably could
not be sold for a tenth Of their present
value.
While the liquor interests Of Washing
ton have no political influence, the Anti
Saloon League and the Women's Chris
tan Temperance Union have organiza-
IONS in every Congressional district in
the country. A Perley Baker superln-
tendent Of the Ohio branch OF the league,
r was stated some time ago. is to be
t-ought here to make the fight against
rum in Washington. Mrs. Smith said
yesterday that she did not know how
sccurate that report was.
Ii is presumed that members Of the
Two houses OF Congress viii be lined up
= Mr.. Baker and interrogated as 10
neither they will vote for a prohibition
u, which may be introduced by Rep
r sentative Sims Of Tennessee. or Craig
~ Alabama. Upon their answers Will
depend whether the church and temper
ance organizations in their districts
adopt resolutions OF condemnation. Prac-
tically every member OF the House will
re UP for denomination early next year.