The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-02-01
Calls Some of Hotels Dis
reputable and Vice Breed
ing Resorts.
WOULD NOT ALLOW
MINORS TO ENTER
Discretionary Power Wanted in
Granting Licenses Other
Recommendations.

CharaCteIizinE certain hotels as
among the most reputable and vice
breeding resorts i'm our city the Excise
Board today recommended to Commits
sioner Mcfarland the adoption OF leEis-
lstion giving them wider discretionary
powers in granting liquor licenses TO
hotels and barrUomz.
The changes recommended are en-
bodied IN a bin which Commissioner
Mcfarland is now considering and are
intended, according TO the Excise
Board, To regulate the sale OF intOZ-
lC6ting liquors i'm the District lin such
"a manner as to make the business least
objectionable o- 10 favorabiy modify,
~ not eliminate, some or It's harmful in
uuences upon the young people of our
community
Regarding Hotels.
With regard 20 granting liquor licenses
10 hotels. the board says.
Under the law as construed by the
courts anyone securing O. building con-
tanning twenty-five rooms for guests
and getting the consent signatures we
are compelled 20 grant him or her a
license, Some OF these sO-Called hotels
are among the most diSreputa bic and
vice breeding resorts IH our city. We
nave investigated a number OF these
hotels. only TO ind that they are drink
ing places with the privileges Of sell
Ing after hours and ON Sundays. Dur
ing the week days very few OF no guests
are registered. but on Sundays several
pages OF names OF guests appear
Among the important amendments
recommended by the Excise Board are
The following.
That minors Ice not allowed to enter
bar rooms, either with OF without the
consent OF parents OF guardians, and
the age limit and. consent of parents
and guardians be stricken out of the
law
The Responsibility.
That the responsibility for the sale OF
Intoxicating liquor To- minors be placed
upon the liCensee or his employees or
agents and not Upon the prosecuting
officer to prove that. he knowingly sold
10 said minor
1t is recommended that che penalty
ror this offense he modified by a Rne
penalty may De light when che viola
ton Is technical and not WiIful, and
suLQclently severe In the case OF those
who Wlllfully violate the law.
That provision bC made for the pun
lshment of minors falsely represent
lug their age for the purpose of OBJ
talnlng Intoxicating liquor.
That the board be given power to
summon witnesses TO give testimony
under oath or affirmation concerning
The character and conduct OF places
under iuVestigat
at seems almost impossible" SAYS
the board. "to get witnesses to APP
pear before the board and give testi-
mOny affecting the character OF these
places. although we may be morally
certain that they are conducted in
such manner as TO Justify the board
IN Withholding a license
ask Authority
That authority be given TO regulate
pool rooms and bowling alleys. when
operated in connection with bar
room.
That when a bar r0oM is located on a
corner. the applicant De required 10
obtain the consent of 3 majority of the
real estate owners and residents on
both sides.
That permits Issued to clubs showing
the hours the holder is permitted Ia
SELL be framed and exposed to view
with the license, which win enable the
inspectors TO determine upon examiua-
non, iI the law is being violated.
Ilat the discretionary powers OF the
board with regard 10 the renewal of
licenses be enlarged
After cons deratiou by the Commits
s.oners the bin win be referred TO the
corporation Counsel for uIs opinion as
10 the form DO which the measure shall
5e framed.