Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-08
VIEWS PRO AND CON GIVEN
Hearing by the Senate District Com.
mittee.
POSITION OF COMMISSIONERS
Unable to Agree on Any Measure
Yet Submitted-In Accord on
Certain Restrictions.

Heiu Oy the senate DlStrlct cOmmittee TINS
morning. Representatives of the Anti
Saloon League and the Central Labor
Union appeared for the dries and
''wets." respectively.
Commissioner Mcfarland explained the
position of the Commissioners. who do
not approve any of the measures affect
ing the liquor traffic now pending in Con-
gress. but would like to see new bill
drawn for stricter excise law.
Commissioner Mcfarland said the
board of Commissioners could not agree
on any of the bills submitted to them. He
read several propositions which he said
the Commissioners would Ike to see en-
bodied in a liquor law for the District.
He said the Commissioners are especial
ly anxious to stamp out the "growler"
trafhc. especially as INDUCED in by
women. and also to reach the fake
saloons and clubs" which sell liquor at
retail on Sundays
Questioning the Commissioner.
Referring to a proposition to double the
saloon licenses. Senator Carter asked
what would probably be the decrease in
the number of saloons if the license were
doubled. Mr.. Mcfarland replied that
when this was done several years ago
there was no decrease.
Senator Long asked Mr.. mcfarland the
Commissioners reasons for not recon-
mending absolute prohibition He replied
that they did not think the time was ripe,
and no request came from the residents
except from those directly interested.
Mr. Mcfarland said the license fees rec
commended by them were higher than the
average in the chief cities of the country.
Senator Carter wanted to know how
many saloons cater to colored people, but
Mr.. Macfarland didn't know exactly. but
thought the number was large. He said
1t was stated by colored minister that
no celered men run saloons In this city.
but that there are white men who cater
tor the celored trade.
The Closing Hour.
Senator Scott referring to early closing
said some members of Congress might not
heme from the Capitol He suggested
1870 clock . q good closing hour.
Senator Martin of Virginia suggested
IL o'eiock pm
"An right. we will accommodate you.
senator. 8 replied Mr.. Scott. amid laugh
IAN this is going into the Record -
put in Mr.. Long.
IT am perfectly willing" said Mr.. Mar
tin. las I have yet to take my first
drink.
In reply to questions the Commissioner
stated that It vas the opinion of the
chief of police that most OF the crime
in the District comes from the use OF in
toxicating liquor.
Senator Gailinger said the bill under
consideration was prepared by the Anti
Saloon League, and called on T. NJ. Hare.
local superintendent of the Anti-SalO0n
League. He merely said the league ia
vored absolute prohibition. but wants to
get as much as 1t can. and make the best
Of conditions. The league. he said OBJ
Al ia lfNAn n9Nu hA If
makes it harder to move saloons Also.
he held. the customers always pay for
tine higher license.
Aim Of Anti-saloon League.
Attorney Shoemaker. for the Anti-Sa-
loon League. explained the purposes of
the league in more detail. He said the
present four members Of the excise board
agree to a change in the board to be COM
posed of judge Of Juvenile Court the
health ofhcer and an inspector of police
to be selected by the Commissioners. He
called attention to the fact that the pres
ent excise board members are also the
assessors and have the duty of raising
revenue for the District.
He said the leagues bill would reduce
the number of saloons more than one
half. and more than the Commissioners
Mr.. Shoemaker said the leagues bill
did not attempt to stamp out drinking
in legitimate clubs but only in those in
which the bar is this chief source Of rev.
hbits all selling on Sundays and legal
holidays. except in the case of clubs.
which may sell on legal holidays: and
allows selling only IN rooms where there
are bars. except in the case of clubs
The league also favors that this con
sent territory include the three nearest
blocks to the saloon. as well as the bloch,
In which it is located. instead OF. as the
blocks facing the blocx Of location and
that block.
Provisions Of the Bill.
THE bill contains local option pro-
vision said M. Shoemaker (which pro.
vides that the owners of real estate and
resident housekeepers in any number OF
city squares compactly located in the city
Of Washington or in any well defined
district outside of the city OF Washing.
ION may petition that no license be
granted for the manufacture and sale OF
liquor in such district. and IL a ma.
jority therein shall thus petition the II.
censes therein existing at the time shall
be revoked and no license may be agar
granted in that district for three years
or until a majority Of owners and resi-.
dents shall petition that license be
granted In that district. The bill pro.
vldes for proper machinery to carry into
effect these provisions. This is an en-.
tirely new feature.
Contention Of the ''Wets."
The vets were represented first by
Louis p. Shoemaker, who said he was In
the real estate business and spoke onI,
for himself. He said none of the business
mems organizations or citizens associa.
tons had Endorsed the bill At this poin,
II was stated by one Of the men in the
room that the Petworth association had
unanimously Endorsed the bill.
Mr.. Shoemaker said the enforcement al
the leagues bill would bring about pro.
hibtion in the District
Senator Burkett asked him whether Inc
believed the people of the District want
conditions as they are. and Mr. Shoe
maker said he thought So
: Il have higher opinion of the people OF
the District than you have" declared Mr.
Burkett.
A Labor Representatives View.
Sam De Nedrey. representing the Cen
trial Labor Union, OF which he In seere
tary. said IL the leagues bill were en-
acted 1t would throw out OF employment
about 3!000 men. There had better b
prohibition measure. he declared. for Il
would be the same thing.
Senator Gallinger, chairman OF tht
committee, wanted to know IL he hae
heard that nearly all OF the inmates o.
the jail are there by reason OF drink
Mr. De Nedrey said he did not think THU
opinion was correct.
The experience OF the world 10 asains