Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-08
Wish to Regulate Hotels.


certain to make the hearings of unusual
interest.
Wish to Regulate Hotels.
The Commissioners themselves former
ly constituted the excise board, this func-
ton being transferred from them to the
assessor and assistant assessors In 1894.
In view Of this fact, the District heads
are bound to be greatly interested in
whatever suggestions for the improve
ment or enlargement of the excise law
that may be made. and it is not unlikely
that certain amendments to the law may
be embodied in bill to be submitted to
Congress at the coming session.
or the five changes proposed, members
OF the excise board are most concerned
with the one that would give them more
authority to regulate hotels. Under the
present arrangement the board is unable
to refuse license to a hotel keeper,
provided majority of property owners
within prescribed limit consent to the
hotel being opened.
1t Is suggested that If hotels were put
on the same basis saloons in so far as
control over them by the excise board
Is concerned. licenses for their operation
would not be issued until after the char
acter of the applicant had been consid-
cred. together with other features, in
Guiding the desirability of the location
proposed. Such considerations as these,
the boards decisions in the matter of
granting hotel licenses.
For More Stringent Rule.
At present, in the case of saloons
which 1T is proposed to locate on corner
lots. 1t is necessary only to secure the
signatures of majority Of the residents
living on the street which furnishes the
entrance to the saloon. The excise
board Is convinced that this regulation
does not go far enough. and that the
consent of property owners on both
streets should be secured.
Whether a saloonkeeper knowingly"
sells liquor to a minor. if the offense
is committed, 1t should be punished, and.
accordingly, the law should be amended
in order to strike out the word know
ingly," Is the claim Of members of the
board
Although the board has authority to
summon witnesses in real estate mat
tiers. 1t may only swear witnesses who
voluntarily present themselves to give
testimony concerning the granting of
liquor licenses. The authority to sum-
mon should be vested in the board in
both cases. according to the board, and
recommendation will be made accord
ingly.
Power Over Poolrooms.
The power to regulate bowling alleys
and poolrooms. run in connection with
bars. should be vested in the board. it
is claimed, and an effort will be made
to SO convince the Commissioners.
It is more than likely that all of
the reforms which the board desires
will be brought wildly to the attention
Of the Commissioners by giving testi-
mony showing the need for them.
The Commissioners have announced
that. in addition to investigating the
Horstmann charges. they are desirious of
probing the affairs of the assessors office
to the bottom, and there is no doubt but
that the suggestions to be made by AS
SCISSOR Richards and his assistants will
be thoroughly gone into.
One of the interesting features of the
situation is that at the time the Com
missioners relinquished the function of
there were in the District $40 retail sa-
looms and 174 wholesale liquor houses.
Number Of Saloons Reduced.
At present there are but $50 retail sa-
looms and 125 wholesale houses, showing
that since the assessor and assistant as
SCISSORS were organized into an excise
board, the number of saloons in the Dis
trict, per capita, has become gradually
reduced.
AS the time approaches for the COM
mencement Of the hearings, October 16,
interest among District officials as to the
nature of the defense that will be adj
vanced by Mr.. KalbfuS is arOusing no lit
tie interest. Mr.. kalbfus requested the
Commissioners some time ago to give him
an opportunity to reply to the Horstmann
charges.
Horstmann accused Kalbfus of borrow
ing money from the representatives of
brewing interests in the city. Certain
real estate transfers were cited as proof
Kalbfus Must Clear Himself.
Sizing up the situation, prominent
District official yesterday said that il
Kalbfus had borrowed the sums of money
which it was claimed he had, it doubtless
would be up to him at the investigation
to prove to the satisfaction of the Com
missioners that he had legitimate means
Of meeting whatever obligations he may
have incurred.
The mere fact of his having borrowed
money from the representatives of brew
ing interests could not. Of itself, consti-
tute any wrong, this official declared, and,
In his opinion, he said, Kalbfus would
have no difficulty clearing himself of the
charges.
Yesterday the excise board concluded a.
two-day hearing with respect to granting
| the application Of Hugh Harten to run q
| saloon on Georgia avenue. about half
mile beyond Brightwood and almost di-
rectly opposite Battle Ground cemetery