The Washington herald., 1908-03-22
LIQUOR BILL STRICT
Proposed Measure Would
Create Saloon Districts.
PEOPLE CONTROL THE LICENSES
Consent OF Property Owners and
Residents Within Four Blocks Re
qufred. i'm Writing, Before License
Can be Issued-PrOvides n High
License for BarroOms

Senator Gallinger yesterday introduced
In the Senate a bill providing for sys-
tenn of local option, with a high license
feature, which represents the views of
number OF ministers and temperance peo-
pie
In offering the bill MT Galllnger said
that he had not fully read it. and there
fore could not say that it represented his
opinions. but he stated that he was in
favor Of restrictive measures as regards
the liquor traffic. The bill was referred
TO the District Committee. and will be
sent to the Commissioners for their opin-
ion.
The hill practically makes every block.
or every four blocks. at most a local
option district. 10 establish a saloon or
wholesale liquor shop In which consent
of a majority of both the property own
ers and the residents would have 10 be
secured. 1t provides that all places in
which liquor is sold. other than clubs
and hotels, shall close at D. m. and re-
main closed until a. m, and gives an
excise board, which It creates. power to
determine the hours during which club
and hotel bars shall be open.
Need Consent Every Year.
Consent Of property owners and tenants
would have to be secured each succeeding
year. in November. when .he time for re-
newing the licenses is fixed. IL the bill
should become law. Such consent must
be given in writing and certified by the
police captain of the district in which the
site OF the proposed saloon or liquor shop
may be located. The application for a
license must bear the name, residence,
and time Of residence in the District OF
the applicant. who must be a citizen of
the United States. bona fide resident of
the District. over tWenty-one years old.
and must not have been convicted Of any
violation Of the liquor or gambling laws
OF the District since March 3. 1893.
He must also agree to carry on the pro-
posed business for himself. and not as
the agent of any person, corporation,
company, or copartnership. and 10 him
self superintend the management OF the
place. The application must be sworn 20.
and the usual penalties for perjury are TO
apply. The applicant must also deposit
with the proper District authority the
amount Of the license for the class of
business which he desires 10 conduct-S300
for wholesale liquor shop and $500 for
barTOOm- The strictest rules are laid
down as 10 the distinction of these two
classes Of business. and no place licensed
as wholesale shop may sell liquor or
any intoxicating beverage in less than
gallon lots.
Club Officers Responsible.
Presidents Of clubs are required to take
out the licenses Of such places in their
own names. and the officers Of each club
are to be held personally responsible for
any violation Of the law.
All places where liquor is sold. other
than club and hotel barrooms must be ex-
posed 10 view from the pavement. without
obstruction, and the bars of all clubs and
hotels must be plainly in view from the
corridors or Railways which run past the
doors of the barroom.
Druggists are not allowed to sell liquor
In any form. including proprietary medi-
cines largely composed Of alcohol except
upon the prescription oG physician, uu-
less an extreme emergency exists. and
penalties are provided for doctors who
issue such prescriptions to persons whom
they do not know to be sick or for whom
zhey are not regularly prescribing
The excise board which is 10 have con-
troll of the liquor business in the District
under the proposed law. is to be composed
OF the judge OF the Juvenile Court. the
health officer Of the District. and one
inspector OF police. this officer 10 be
named BY the District Commissioners.
Boards Decision Final.
The boards decisions are to be final in
all matters appertaining TO the issuance
~ 1NAncae se
for the board to issue any license at all.
its members having absolute discretion
IN this matter Both the board as a whole
and the individual members are given the
powers OF a magistrate as respects the
administration Of oaths and the taking OF
testimony.
The board is to employ a clerk at g. 200
q year, an assistant clerk at 81. 200 a year.
and an inspector at $1,000 a year. and
may issue warrants. TO be served by any
policeman. requiring the attendance be-
fore It og any person of whom information
is desired.
Persons not having license who vio-
late the law are 10 be subject to fines Of
from $3.50 to $500 with the alternative. Of
from two to six months Imprisonment
and licensees found guilty of violating
the law are made subject to fines OF from
800 10 $500, with equivalent terms OF i'm
prisonnent, and the second offense in
each case is made much heavier includ-
ing both fine and imprisonment Revoca-
tion of license is the penalty provided for
any licensee whose place is shown to be
0isorderly.
No liquor places are permitted 10 be
located within 1000 feet OF any church,
school. university. or other similar insti-
tuition, and no person under eighteen
years old may enter any place where
liquor is sold except hotels. 1t is made
illegal for any person even to give intoxi-
eating liquor away unless he has license.
TO PROTECT PASSENGERS.