Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-03-20
Three Clubs and a Saloon
Denied Liquor Licenses.
ACTION OF EXCISE BOARD
Declares That Sunday Drinking Is
Excessive.
END OF LONG INVESTIGATION
Chamberlin, Jolly Fat Mems and
Bartenders' Union Clubs and
James Stevens Denied Renewals.

Applications for renewals of liquor
licenses Of three clubs and one saloon
were rejected by the excise board today
and they will be notified TO stop the sale
Of liquor at midnight next Monday.
Those affected are:
Chamberlin Club. S2l 10Th street.
Jolly Fat Mems Club. 933 d street.
Bartenders Union Club. $685. street.
James Stevens 430 Sth street.
The board announced that it did not
regard the clubs as bona-fide clubs as
contemplated by the law. and 1t found
they allowed a large amount of Sunday
drinking. which the board desires 10 re-
duce
In all four cases hearings were con-
Quoted by the excise board. and its action
follows the presentation OF the evidence
produced In behalf of the establishments.
Officers Of the Chamberlin Club appeared
before the board January IL. representa-
tives of the Bartenders' Union Club were
heard yesterday and those OF the jolly
the case Of the saloon of James Stevens
was conducted January p.
Result Of Long Investigation.
When the time came for the renewal
of liquor licenses in the District of Co
lumbia last November the excise board
determined at that time to hold the
licenses Of all clubs until An investiga-
ton OF the organization and methods
OF doing business could be made. After
about two months many Of the licenses
were renewed and hearings In regard
to the others were granted
Attorney A E. Shoemaker. represent
ing the Anti-6aloon League Of the Dis
trict Of Columbia. appeared at the
hearings on the three clubs in ques-
ton and opposed the renewal Of the
licenses. In some cases he brought out
evidence to show that the receipts of
the bars Sundays were greatly In eX-
cess OF the bar receipts on week days.
THE excise board rejected the IL
were not such as were contemplated
by the excise law" said Chairman
Richards. I'm one case thee Sunday bar
receipts were found to average be-
tween 5000 and $500. although the to-
tai membership of the club was onlS
500.
'.The excise board intends to enforce
rigidly the excise laws regarding
clubs. There Is too much Sunday
drinking in Washington and the board
intends to reduce that TO minimum
not allowing licenses to clubs In which
the Sunday bar is the most prominent
feature"
Bar Run for Revenue.
1t was explained by another member
Of the board that 1t was found that the
bar in some of the clubs whose licenses
were rejected was run as a source OF
revenue to the club. and its profits al
lowed the club to maintain many fea-
lures which would have been impossible
with the small dues.
When the excise board announced this
morning the rejection Of the applications
for renewal Of these four licenses there
were no representatives OF the clubs pres
ent. Oficers Of the jolly Fat Mems Club
had appeared before the board earlier In
the day, but retired to allow the board
to consider its decision.
This Is the first time in the history
Of the excise board that there has been
wholesale rejection of club licenses
such as was announced today. As soon
as the boards action became known II
was the chief topic OF conversation
among liquor men. Some OF the clubs
affected have as members some promi-
nent people In the city.