Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-16
The Excise Violation Evil.

The Star brings the charge that the
excise law is being continually violated
in this District in the selling of liquor
10 girls and boys despite the plain pro-
hibition of the statute What it printed
yesterday and what ii continues to
print today in the news columns is
well known to a certain class of citi-
zens, and. 1t is to be believed, Well
known also to the police. The chief of
police himself acknowledges that such
violations of the law occur. He indicates
that the police have done all in their
power by putting the cases up to the
excise board. On the other hand, the
president of the excise board states
that the board cannot act until viola
tions Of the law are proved in court
Do these acknowledgements and ex-
plantations signify that the court is
derelict? Do they mean that the police,
with evidence in their hands. are I'M
able to convince prosecuting officials
and judges of the guilt of saloon keep
ers and bartenders who knowingly sell
liquor to minors?
If 1t is true that the police are vigil
liant and conscientious and skillful IN
their efforts to enforce the excise law.
then. with the conditions that are posi-
lively known to prevail today, it is an
unavoidable conclusion that the prose-
cutting processes are ineffective. IT, on
the other hand. the court processes are
effective. but the police methods are in
effective, remedy lies in another di
rection. AS for the excise board. it is
dependent on the one hand upon the
police and on the other hand upon the
court.
The District Commissioners have the
case virtually in their own hands. They
name their representative at the Police
Court and they have jurisdiction over
the police and the excise board. In the
last analysis the situation focuses upon
the board of Commissioners for the dis
covery and the application Of the rem
edy.
The downtown streets of Washing
ton after dark bear distressing evil
dence of 1ooseness somewhere in the
social system. Boys and girls of tender
years parade up and down attracting
attention. making acquaintance with
out restraint. and. as The Stars print
OF yesterday only too clearly set forth,
with saloon doors wide open to them
for unwholesome entertainment and IN
toxication. The scenes that were de-
scribed in the article printed yesterday
may be observed by any citizen who
goes forth seeking light upon this
question In numerous places can the
suggestive songs be heard and the
reckless conduct of young boys and
girls be seen. If the police find 1T diff
ficult to obtain evidence in such cir
cumstances 1t must be because their
conceptions of propriety are false or
their methods too crude for tolerance
in a we'll managed municipality.
No outcry Of exaggeration or plea of
extenuation will avail to check the
sense of outraged indignation felt by
this community, eloquent evidence OF
which appears in the communications
printed today. The Star feels that this
evil must be fully exposed in order
that it may be cured. 1t knows that 1.
is voicing the sense of the District
in its demand that a way be found
promptly for the enforcement Of the
law and the punishment OF those who
violate 1t by debauching the young
people OF the capital.