The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-04-23
PROHIBITION HIT
BY Commissioners,
REFORM IS URGED
Recommendations to
Congress Would Close
200 District Saloons.
Others Would Have to
Pay Annual License
of 81, 900.

Absolute prohibition IN the District Of
Columbia IS not favored by the Com
missioners- IN lieu Of the various bills
relating 70 the liquor traffic referred TO
them by the Senate and House commit
tees for report. they have recommended
legislation which. If enacted. viii result
IN a material decrease in the number of
saloons Of Washington. Ia the words
OF ore Of the members OF the board, IL
is a long step toward absolute prohibi-
tion.
The following provisions are recon-
mended by the Commissioners in a re-
port forwarded TO Congress today:
First-That the prohibition zones be
increased ia number. 10 cover the neigh
borhood Of the Navy Yard. Marine Bar
neer Barracks.
SecOnd-That no barroOm license be
issued, renewed or transferred. without
the consent in writing of the majority
Of all property owners and OF all ten
ants in the square in which it is 10 be
used, and the four squares fronting that
square, and that a license snail be re
voked upon thu conviction or the for
feiture OF collateral in oae case.
Urge High License.
ThIrd-That the wholesale liquor license
fee shall be s6O0. and the barrOom liquor
license fee shall be S1.600. an increase
from $500
Fourth-That no license shall be issued,
renewed or transferred for use in any
saloon within 400 feet Of any building
used for public or privete school. or
other educational institution or play
ground, or any house Of worship. or
place regularly used for worship Or re-
ligious institution.
FIfth-That the so-ccIIed 'growIer'
trade be prohibited
Sixlh-That the law be strengthened
so as 10 prevent imitation hotels and
clubs obtaining licenses
Seventh-That in no event shall there
be issued N any year more IMAM one
barrOo49 cense 70 every loyJ or The
population within the hre limits of the
city OF Washington.
The agreement as 20 the proposed
legislation was reached by the ComInis- j
siOners after numerous and lengthy con-
ferences. IT is believed by the board
that tie time fOr absolute prohibition
is not yet ripe though IL s. understood
that Commissioner Mac:arlanc would /
than those proposed. had IL been the 1
of opinion OF the board that (
it would meet with favor in She District. |
Agreement Unanimous
IN considering their recommendation !
TO Congress the Commissioners desired [
TO present unanimous agreement. The I
above legislation, it is believed by them, /
will be 10 the best interests Of the Dis I
trict. and they are a unit IN urging its /
adoption.
The increase from $500 20 $780, un- !
according 10 officials Of the I
Excise Board, will cause a large per- 1
centage Of saloons 10 close their doors, !
among them a number Of places which 1
cater to a respectable patrOuage- Many 4
Of the saloons which have a large trade I
among The consumers of scent whisky /
and cheap beer, can better anord, IL is 4
said. 10 pay the increase than the better 1
bar rooms
The increase from 500 TO 200 for /
wholesale licenses, In the opinion OF the
officials Of the Excise Board also will /
result in q material decrea2e in these 2
places In 1872 the retail license was IN !
crpa Sed from 500 to $500, with the result \
that the next year there were only three 4
less saloons
Will Close Many Saloons.
The proposed legislation. in the opin-
ON Of the officials OF the Excise Board.
viii eliminate more than 900 of the 90
barrooms in the District. This is as
sured bv the provision which forbids
The issuance in any one year Of more
than one barroom license to every loo
population within the fire limits Of the
city Of washington.
A dozen or more saloons are put out
u buseiness by the provision that the
prohibition zone be increased so as to
cover the neighborhOod OF the Navy
Yard. Marine Barracks, War College.
ma the Engineer Barracks.
The provision that no license be is
sued. renewed, or transferred for use
In any saloon without 400 feet Of a pri-
rate or public school, educational in
stitution. playground. or place Of wor-
ship. will do away with a number Of sa-
oons, among them the buffet in the
ShOreham Hotel.
All of these barrOoms viii be elimi-
mated. without taking into consideration
hose barrOOmS which can afford to pay
.he increased license.
The Commissioners have not yet had
an opportunity to consider the Hefiin
liII prohibiting the sale Of liquor I'm the
Union Station, but will make a report
1E that measure in a few days.
Shoemaker Is Pleased.
In discussing the proposed prohibition
egislation. A. z. Shoemaker. attorney
or the Anti-SaIOon League, said today:
THE anti-saIoon forces Of the District
viii rejoice at the stand taken by the
looking TO advance leg
station against the drink evil. 1t is to
De regretted that they did not approve
If the prohibition BILL and many will
De disappointed. I feel, however, that
CONTINUED on Second Page.)
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