The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-13
FINISH SALOON
HEARING TO-DAY
Many Witnesses on Both Sides
Appear Before Judge Clopton
in Hastings Court.

Numerous witnesses were heard by
Judge William I. Clopton, sitting for
Judge Witt in the Hastings Court, yes
terday in the hearing of petitioners
against the granting of saloon licenses
to Il. l.. Thompson, on the northwest
corner of Seventh and Broad Streets.
and to o. A. Flournoy on the opposite
corner. Because of the volume of tes
timony, the case was continued until
o-day, when more witnesses will APP
pear. and when a decision may be
reached.
The majority OF the witnesses yester-
day. most of them ladies, were from
the Northside. Their chief contention
is that the place is transfer point,
and, therefore, unsuitable as location
for saloons. Those who testified in
behalf Of the applicants did SO on the
ground that they were morally fit to
conducs barrooms. and that no trou-
BILE or disorder had ever been observed
on the corner in question
| Assistant City Attorney Anderson,
who had expected to appear with Com
monwealth's Attorney Folkes. sent the
! following communication to Judge
| Clopton:
"If Your Honor please. up to half an
hour ago I had expected to appear with
| the commemorative Attorney in opposi-
| ton to the granting of these licenses,
| in the capacity of Assistant City Attor-
| ney. I felt II my duty, however, this
morning to point out to the Mayor that
my appearance would make the city
liable for costs in the event that the
licenses were granted. and that. so far
j as I knew, no city ordinance was In
/ volvcd The Mayor thereupon said that.
no city ordinance being involved, he
did not feel authorized to expose the
city to liability for costs, and
in view of that statement, I did not
/ feel authorized to appear for the city.
! Messrs J. l.. Lear. Fl. NJ, Starke and A. c.
/ oparles undertook TO be responsible for the
| costs should the victory go TO the liquor
| men. Mr.. Thompson Is represented by MT.
James e. Cannon and Mr.. flonrnoS ps MT.
H NJ Smith.
The latter asked Judge Clopton to try the
! cases separately but the court refused on
tho ground that in the main they were alike
| and that 1t would be a great saving OF time
| to hear them together.
| When called TO the stand Mr. Thompson
stated that his place had never been report
ed to or by the police; that 1t had been oc-
| crpied as a saloon for sixteen years. and
that he had never had any trouble.
Many Chestnut Hill people and other resi-
| dents of the Northside testified against the
! saloon. They stated that most people wait
| ed for transfer cars on the northwest cor
ner, next to Thompson's. There was little
| evidence against the stand on the opposite
| corner, though one witness remarked that
| he had seen women issue from the side door
o. the Doyle saloon.
! Captain George Epps. OF tho Second Police
| District. said that though he regarded thu
| applicants as proper men to conduct saloons
| no did not think the location was a ft place
| Mr.. Watson Myers. assistant superinten
/ dent of the American Locomotive Works. anc
| member of the Police Commissions wa M
objection to the saloons. and Mr.. w. P. Lea
| man was OF the same opinion.
4 Chief of Police Werner thought the loca
/ tier undesirable Commonwealth's-At torne!
Julien Gum. OF Henrico stated that mem
bers of his family had objected to Thomp
sGr's place. Many others testified, both PR
and con.
/ The Highland Park Realty Corporation ha,
read petition asking that the licenses b.
not granted. Judge Clopton and Common
| weath's-Attorney Folkes visited the saloon
in question. and their inspection may hav
important bearing on the decision
Building Permits.
Permits We're granted yesterday by Build
ms Inspector Beck as follows:
Mrs. Margaret Green. to build a fran
dwelling on the east side OF MechanIcsvll
, Turnpike, between Redd and S Streets: cos
. $1,000.
:, To Kate F. Whybrew, 10 build fran
dwelling tho south side Of Marshall Stree
/, between Thirty-hrst and Thrty-second. 70