Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-13

Continued From First Page)
the venture. but despite the enormous
sum invested the proposition failed.
After the hotel was put up the pastor
and members of the Fifth Avenue Pres
byterian Church entered protest against
the hotel being granted a liquor license.
Under the law the Gotham couldn't get
a license because it was within 200 feet
of church. and Bennett made a hard
fight to get license. He had two bills
introduced in the Legislature modifying
the law so to permit a license for the
hotel. and while the measures were passed
by both houses they failed of enactment.
The first bill was vetoed by Gov. Higgins
and the second one by Gov. Hughes. To
the fact that no liquor could be sold In
the hotel is attributed its failure of sue
cess While a magnificent edifce, twenty
one stories high. it never paid and year
ago Bennett disheartened, resigned as
manager, but continued to act in an adj
visory capacity. Following his resignation
the knickerbocker Trust Company fore
closed mortgage it held on the property,
and since that time affairs in the hotel
have gone from bad to worse
Bennett retained his residence in the
Gotham and continued up to the time of
his death as an advisory manager
AS manager of the Arlington. in Wash
ington, he was the highest salaried hotel
man in the country. enjoying an income
of $1,000 year. He had saved money
but is said to have lost heavily in Wall
street during the past year and is sup
posed to have had little left I-nfOrtlI-
nate speculation. in addition to his other
troubles. had caused him to become de-
spondent. and while he had never threat
ened suicide. many of his friends were not
surprised when they learned yesterday
that he had shot himself
During the height of the Congress SEES
sion the Arlington Hotel was the home of
some of the most distinguished men of
the nation. and Mr. Bennett enjoyed the
personal friendship of his guests.
Popular Clubman.
For many years he was on intimate
terms with Senator Platt. and it was
said that the break between Plat and
Gov. Higgins came about because the
latter vetoed the bill granting the Gotham
liquor license. He was popular in
club circles in this city and Washington.
and was a member of the Lambs, the
Lotus and the New York clubs.
Mr.. Bennett, who was fifty-siX years
old, lived alone in the Gotham. while his
wife made her home with their two sons,
Walter V. Bennett and Frank Bennett,
jr., at 2131 Broadway. John, the young
est son, is a clerk at the Imperial Hotel.
Walter V. Bennett said he had known
his father was respondent for a long
time, but none of the family had the
slightest idea he had reached a stage
where he contemplated taking his life.
MY father had been suffering from
heart disease he said. land only a
month ago was stricken with paralysis. l
believe illness caused his mind to give
way and l feel sure that he didn't know
what he was doing when he shot himself.
His death is terrible shock to my
mother and brothers.
When a young man Bennett started out
in life actor, and after varied
career finally got into the hotel business
twenty-five years ago. He was success
full from the start, and when he was
proposed for the management of the
Gotham five years ago the interests back
ing the hotel felt that he would run it
on the same plan the Arlington and
make it as famous as the Washington
hostelry. But unforeseen obstacles arose
the principal one being the inability to
procure a liquor license, and after bills
were vetoed II was seen that the Gotham
would not be a success. Under con-
tract entered into in 1903 Bennett re-
manned on salary five years. although for
the past year he had not been active in
the management of the hotel. His con-
tract would have expired In few days
The body will be kept in the Gotham
until Tuesday, when the funeral will take
place No arrangements have yet been
made.