Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-23
FAKE CLUBS MARKED
Crusade Called Against Pro-
prietary Organizations.
LICENSES TO BE VOIbED
Commissioner West Says Such Places
Disgrace Washington.
CHEF OF POLICE ASKS POWER
Excise Board and Anti-Saloon
League to Join in Efforts to
Suppress Them.
LICENSES TO BE v0IbED
CHEF OF POLICE ASKS POWER

Il would like to see every fake club in
the city of Washington deprived of it's
liquor license. and will agree to any plan
with this object in view offered by the
superintendent OF police or the excise
board.
Such places are disgrace to the city.
I would heartily approve of their being
raided. If the police think it necessary.
Every effort will be made between now
and license-granting time to collect evil
dence to be used in an attempt to wipe
these places out of existence"
This declaration was made today by
Commissioner West. He has supervision
of the police department OF the District.
He is emphatic in denouncing establish
ments in Washington, operated as clubs.
in which liquor is sold every day after
legal hours and on Sunday
Drastic action is contemplated to put
these places out of business. When the
licenses for the next year are granted a
large number Of social clubs will be elm
mated.
Union Of Forces for Suppression.
The fight is to be systematic. according
to Commissioner West and officials of the
police department and the excise board
The Anti-Saloon League and business men
will assist.
The chief Of the police department and
William P: Richards. the new assessor Of
the District. chairman ex-officio of the
excise board. which has supervision of
liquor traffic, are as determined in the
matter as is Commissioner West.
Maj. Sylvester declares these places are
a source Of annoyance to his department
For several years he has been recon-
mending In his annual report to the Com
missioners that the conditions which per-
NIT their existence be remedied.
In his last annual report he said:
The law and regulations governing
the conduct OF licensed barroomS are
generally observed, but within the last
few years clubs. charging a nominal
membership and in some Instances no
fee at all. have been maintained. where
the privilege comes within the reach
OF many. 1t has given cause for COM
plant and police interference.
Il am of opinion that special legis-
lation specifically covering these places
should be urged by the Commissioners
without delay.
To Discuss Ways and Means.
Commissioner West will confer with
Assessor Richards and the chief of DO
lice within a few days to determine
upon the most practical manner in
which to go after these places" as
Mr.. West says it,
Members of the excise board cx-
press themselves as anxious to weed
out such clubs. All clubs against
which complaints are made and which
are alleged to be illegitimate will have
their licenses for the next year held up
pending investigation.
The law specifies that clubs shall not
be run as proprietary institutions
whenever the board can determine that
the revenues are going into the pocket
OF one person or a number of persons
instead of into the treasury of the club
as whole the license will be refused
A.: F. Shoemaker. attorney for the
Anti-Saloon League. said today he is
convinced that number of clubs are
run for private gain and are nothing
more than proprietary institutions and
that no time should be lost in deprivins
them or the licenses to sell liquor He
Is collecting evidence which he pro-
poses to present to the excise board at
the proper time.