Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-24
SPEAKEASY MUST GO
Assessor Says Police Are
Guilty of Negligence.
FAIL TO GET evidence
Richards Declares Many Saloons
Sell to Minors.
BLAMES ANTI-SALOON LEAGUE
Work More Effective, He. Suggests,
if That Body Would Collect
Direct Evidence.
sLAMES ANTI-sAL00N LEAGUE

That many saloons and places with
| Licenses to sell liquor in the District are
violating the excise laws every day, and
that little more vigor on the part Of the
police would result in closing up these
places. is the opinion of William p Rich
ards. assessor of the District, and chair
man ex-officio of the excise board govern
ing the liquor traffic of the District.
Assessor Richards was discussing the
determination of the excise board to do
its best to wipe out all places where
liquor is sold which are illigally operat-
ed. Particular attention is to be paid
to alleged social clubs and saloons oper-
ated under the guise of hotels.
According to Mr. Richards. such places
are pretty generally known. 1t is likely
that they will have considerable diff
Guilty In obtaining renewal of their
liquor licenses when the time arrives.
Saloons Sell to Minors.
Il am of the opinion that one out of
every five saloons in the District violates
the excise law. The reason they have
not all been put out of business is be-
cause 1T Is impossible in many instances
for the excise board to refuse them
licenses on account of the inactivity on
the part of the police of Washington in
producing evidence before the board
which would warrant such action" Mr..
Richards stated.
1T does not remain entirely with the
excise board to eliminate these places"
he continued. 'The excise board acts in
the capacity of judicial body and must
determine the merits of a case brought
before it upon the evidence present.
1t cannot be expected to act as collec-
and everything else. The collecting of
evidence, in my judgment, is the duty of
the police department.
''The excise law specifically provides
that no license shall be granted to any
person detected selling or giving liquor
to any person under twenty-one years of
age. Saloonists selling to minors are also
liable under the law to heavy fine upon
conviction.
1T is this part Of the law which. I be-
lieve. is being constantly violated. If the
excise board could only have the proper
evidence brought before it we would not
hesitate to enforce the law to the letter.
1t is up to the police to get this evidence.
Anti-Saloon League Could Help.
IF the Anti-Saloon League. which is
engaged in warning on saloons. and which
opposes every application for a liquor IL
cense, would be more active in producing
direct evidence it's work would be more
effective. This organization should dis
play more energy in collecting evidence
If it hopes for any results before the ex
else board.
as it is within its power. 1t needs help
and, above all, it must have direct evil
dence"
Assessor Richards declares he is hearth
~ in favor of the plan of Commissioner
West to eliminate the fake clubs that are
engaged in selling liquor.
Il am informed that there are a num-
ber of these so-called clubs that are moth
ing more than speak-easies or all-night
and Sunday barrooms.
''All that is necessary is to prove this
Their licenses will be revoked"
Commissioner Macfarland is also anx-
iouS that some activity be exercised in
dealing with these so-called fake clubs.
He said today that he is in accord with
any plan with that object in view.
New Law Being Prepared.
''The Commissioners recommended at
the last session of Congress- he says,
among other recommendations respect
Ing the excise question, upon my motion.
that Congress should enact legislation
which would as nearly as practicable
make it impossible for the fake clubs and
fake hotels TO continue.
after the hearing which the Commits
sioners and others had before the Senate
committee on the District of Columbia on
these and other propositions advocated by
the Commissioners the committee, through
it's chairman, Senator Gallinger, asked
that the corporation counsel draft a bill
embodying in detail the recommendations
Of the Commissioners for the considera
ton of the committee at the coming ses-
sion of Congress. The corporation coun-
sci is engaged upon that bill, and will
have it ready for Senator Gallinger when
Congress meets.
Il believe that the Senate committee
will report and both houses will pass
bill on the lines of the Commissioners
recommendations to greatly improve the
whole excise situation. and will in a large
measure break up the fake clubs and
hotel business here. Meanwhile much can
be done by the excise board in refusing
licenses to such clubs and hotels. and /
hope that they will go to the limit of their
powers in doing SO.
Under the guise of clubs and hotels,
once licensed as such, in view of their
apparent compliance with the require
ments Of the present law. these fake con-
Germs can sell liquor to their members and
guests on Sundays and in the night hours
when saloons are closed.
1T ought to be impossible to license
such places. For this reason the law
must be changed.
But closer discrimination in issuing the
licenses can be shown under the present
law"