Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-29
EXCISE BOARD ANGRY
DisIikes Methods of Saloon In
spector H0rstmann.
MAY TAKE 1T TO JOHNSTON
His Way of Reporting Over Heads
of Superiors Objected To.
MFRACTION OF OFFICE ETHICS
Considered Also Disregard of Duty
as Prescribed by Law-Recent
Incident Cited.
Jay TAKE IT TO JOHNSTON
OF OFFICE ETHICS

T. OueH I1oiStHlduH, tuc MStIOpOutdu
and Chevy Chase clubman, recently ap-
pointed an inspector of saloons to work
under the excise board, has incurred the
displeasure of his chiefs. AS soon as
Commissioner Johnston returns to the
District building the board will consider
the matter.
II is said that the chances favor Mr..
Horstmann's retirement from official life.
Inspector Horstmann is one Of the best
known golf players in the country and
is a member OF exclusive clubs here and
In other cities. He asked to have q job
under the District government on the
ground that his physician advised him it
would be better for him to have some
business occupation.
"out Of Courtesy"
He vas appointed an inspector of street
cleaning gangs about six months ago.
Horstmann not liking this, Commissioner
Johnston requested the excise board to
take him on as a saloon inspector
William p. Richards, assessor and
chairman ex-off1cio of the excise board,
appointed Mr.. Horstmann because Com
missioner Johnston wanted the appoint
ment. The papers in the case bear the
testimony that the position was given to
Mr.. Horstmann "out of courtesy" Since
the appointment there has been continual
friction between the excise board and it's
assistant clerk.
Instead of reporting to the excise board,
the members of that body say, the in
spector has taken tales to the Commits
sioners and to the major of police. The
statute which created the board requires
the inspector to report to the board, and
the board reports to Congress.
The members of the board say Mr..
Horstn1ann has dug up tales about sa-
loonkeepers from three to five years old,
and has taken them to the Commission
ers. According to the board, none of
the matters thus brought to light are
new or unknown.
Much Ground Covered.
No one has questioned Mr.. Horstmann's
activity or ability. In fact, the ground
he has covered In his position as in
spector of saloons has been much greater
than that covered by previous inspectors.
The grounds on which Mr.. Richards
will base the removal of Mr. Horstmann
are that the inspector. considered a pri-
vate clerk to the board. has carried tales
believes is contrary to the letter and
| spirit Of the law.
The ill-feeling between the board and
It's inspector broke out only few days
transfer Of q saloon license at 1885 NJ
street northwest. The police Of the sew
enth precinct made a good report con-
corning Harper.
and discovered what he considered ad-
verse circumstances. According to men,
bers of the excise board. he asked Maj
| Sylvester to instruct Capt. Schneider Of
report, modelled along the lines of Mr.
Horstmanns information. This Capt
Schneider did. The board granted Har-
per q license anyhow.
Charges Against Harper.
The charge against Harper, made by
Mr.. Horstmann and reported also by
Capt Schneider. was that he had violated
| the LIQUOR laws in Alexandria county
Harper said that the charge was true in
part. but that the facts were that he
had loaned his name to a man named
LAWYER. and that Lawler. using the name
| Of Harper, had caused the trouble.
Tho police also said that Harper had
drawn a revolver on a private detective
| on the Arlington reservation.
In q memorandum on file at the Dis
! the license to Harper appear. These
statements are contained In the memo
| fandum:
| mfr. Harper appeared before the board
| and acknowledged the correctness or the
| charges, but stated that he was a victim
| Of circumstances through the use Of his
name by another party, and also that
the case OF gun display was occasioned
by a private detective whom he did not
| know first pulling gun on him, upon
which he drew his own gun In self-de-
| Tense"
| The memorandum also said that Capt.
| Schneider had testified that he had
known Harper eleven years. that he had
| given no trouble in that time. that he
considered his character good, and that
| he was entitled to q license.
/ Members of the board say that Mr.
Horstmann went about the matter in en-
tirely the wrong way: that he should
| have presented his facts to the board
instead of going to outside officials of
! the District.
Mr.. Horstmann said today that he
| would say nothing for publication
Horstmann Saw Police Chief.
Maj. Sylvester said that Mr.. Horstmann
had called on him in regard to the Harper
case.
Il remember that Mr.. Horstmann