The Washington times., 1909-07-30
Commissioners Start What
They Believe Practical
Temperance Crusade.
$1,000 RETAIL LICENSE
5000 FOR WHOLESALE
The Proposed Legislation Would
Limit Number of Saloons-Pro-
hibits "Growler.

The Commissioners of the District
laid the foundation today for what they
believe is the biggest and most practl-
cal temperance crusade that has been
carried on in the District, when they
asked Congress for authority to double
the license for the retail and wholesale
liquor dealers; 10 limit the number of
barrooms 10 not more than one for
each one thousand of the population OF
the city ana TO increase the restricted
areas around Government military or
naval reservations, etc. The adoption OF
the recommendation OF the Commits
Eioners' suggestion will, they declare,
reduce the number OF saloons in the city
one-third Immediately and viii have
further and more lasting effects.
The projection Of the Commissioners
into the saloon question came suddenly
and Unexpectedly It was well known
they had many bills before them from
one source or another relating 10 the re-
strictfon or prohibition OF the liquor
traffic in the city. II would require an
immense amount of time and material
70 make recommendations regarding
each of these bills and the suggestion
was made that the Commissioners de-
wise a bill of their own which would
contain their ideas as to what would
be the ideal conditions under which
liquor is TO be sold.
Consult With Excise Board.
The Excise Board was called into
consultation and suggestions received
4herefrom and from the various organi-
cations with the result that the Com
1nissioners were able to obtain the best
an E1na ri n
sect and to draft a bin which, while
the most drastic excise measure ever
proposed for the District. will, it is De-
iieved by the District authorities. meet
with the approval of al legitimate
Mauor dealers in the city. The proposed
legislation provides:
Ffrst-That the prohibition zones be
Increased in number so as 10 cover the
neighborhood Of the Navy Yard and
Marine Barracks and the War College
and Engineer Barracks.
Second-That no barroom license be
issued. renewed. or transferred, with
cut the consent in writing OF the ma
jority OF all property owners and of all
tenants in the square in which IL is 10
be used and the four squares confront
ing that square. and that license shall
be revoked upon the conviction or the
forfeiture Of collateral in one case.
Third-Thst the wholesale liquor IL
cense fee shall be $500 and the barroom
iiqUor license fee shall be $500.
Saloons Away From Churches.
Fourth-That no license shall be Is
sued. renewed. or transferred for use in
any saloon within 400 feet OF any
building used for a public or private
school, or other educational institution
or playground or any house Of wor-
ship. or place regularly used for wor-
ship or religious institution
F1fth-That the sO-calIed ''grov -er
trade be prohibited
Sixth-That the law be strengthened
SO as 70 prevent imitation hotels and
cICbs obtaining licenses.
Seventh-That In no event shall there
De issued In any year more than one
barrOom license TO every one thousa M
OF the population within the fire limits
OF the city of Washington
A b-u embodying the above recou-
mendations, would result, according n
officials OF the Excise Board, In a re-
ductior Of one-thiTd in the number NJ
saloons in the District OF Columbia