Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-06
f. ]. Mccarthy Says Much
Good Is Done in Liquor Shops.
OPPOSED TO PROHIBITION
Gives His Views Before House Dis
trict Committee.
Representatives Of Bartender League
says Over 81, ooo, 900 Are Taken
Annually-other Side Heard.

Visions Of rivers of rum and oceans Of
beer were called up before the members
OF the House District committee at the
prohibition hearing this morning. r. j.
Mccarthy OF the Central Labor Union
was the vision creator. He declared
that over 33.D00o0 drinks were taken
every year in the saloons OF Washington.
Mr.. Mccarthy also represented the Bar
tenders League before the committee,
and he ought to know.
THE American saloon Is the poor mans
club" said he. land 10 the nearest ap-
proach to absolute democracy in this
country. The saloon is the greatest COL
and there lie no question but that there
is more good in the average saloon than
10 dreamed Of in our modern philosophy.
True temperance is the ultimate goal OF
the saloon
tive Campbell OF Kansas. q member Of
the committee. Mr.. Mccarthy said his
experience had not been such as to lead
him to believe that the American treat
ing habit was a bad thing. or that II
made people drink more than they
naturally would otherwise.
my experience" said Mr.. Mccarthy.
has not been such that can afEirm that
proposition
Would Lose Empleyment.
Mr.. Mccarthy declared he wanted to
call the attention Of the committee to one
thing in particular. and that was that
prohibition in the District Of Columbia
would mean that more than 5000 people
would lose their constant employment and
consequently their means OF livelihood.
These 5000 people, he said. now
earn more than 100000 q year
1t was at this point that Mr.. Mccarthy
asserted that more than 100000 drinks
were passed over the bars Of Washington
every year. These figures. he said had
been compiled from estimates furnished
by saloon keepers OF the National capital
In effect the Sims bin for absolute prohi-
bition in the District would merely result.
he said, in keeping the poor man dry. as.
bill or no BILL the rich would be able to
keep their cellars we'll stocked with wills
kies. wines and every other kind OF in
toxicating liquor that they happened TO
fancy.
The speaker also declared, in reply 70
questions from members Of the commit
tee. that not only the laboring men OF the
District. but the wives and families OF
laborins men. were opposed to any prohi-
bition law.
They are all against prohibition" he
said, land according to information sup
piled me about 90 per cent Of all the peo-
pie in labor CIRCLES are oppcsed to pro-
hibition.'' :
Represents the Italiana
q. A. Bressasno. representing the
united Isaiian Societies. also spoke
against the Sims bill. He said that ltal-
iaAs n q class OPPOSED any prohibition
measure. as they were temperate drink
err, accustomed from Childhood TO drink
Ing light wines with their meals. -..
There are very few drunkards among
the Italians" said he. A statement along
the same lines was made to the committee
by Kurt voelkner OF the organised Ger
man societies.
The hearing closed with arguments by
Attorney Shoemaker for the Anti-ealoon
League and e. W. Oyster, former presi-
dent Of the Central Labor Union. In ia
vor Of the bill. and by Hugh Harvey.
representing the liquor interests Of the
city, against the proposed measure.