The Washington times., 1912-05-23
What Was Said by Liquor Men in the Hearings

sion, either in this city or any other
in the United states, that can COM
pare with them in cleanness of life
Mr. Magruder~Father. may 1 inter-
Father Measher-Yes,
Mr.. Magruder--Are they not chari-
table in giving to the poor?
Father Meagher--Yes; charitable be-
yond all conception. At the same
time can say this, that IL / thought
the condition in the southwest need
TO be legalized In any way / would
be the first to ask for II, but 1 know
that during the past year, according
to the police records, there has been
but one conviction among all the
saloon keepers of the southwest.
Mr.. Robinson-May / interrupt the
gentleman?
Father Meagher-Yes.
Mr.. Robinson--Did you ever happen
to be about Seventh and X streets
southwest at. IL or ~ o'clock at night?
Father Meagher-I have.
Mr.. Robinson-Do you think that
Father MeagherSThe conditions
that l saw there certainly ought to
have existed. ! have been about the
southwest, particularly in the past
the neighborhood of thirty saloons.
have been In the side entrances and
the private entrances to the saloon,
and during all that time I have not
seen one single thing against the law.
do not say that these people are per-
feet. l do not think you are perfect
yourselves, but at the same time this
/! do know, that the condition OF the
liquor traffic in the southwest is the
best possible under the circumstances.
We are not trying to meet an ideal
situation. We are not trying to do
away with liquor. Everybody will
agree that this world would be one
hundred times better without liquor.
We are meeting a condition.
l wish simply to say this, that II l
were TO ask the people who do not live
IN the southwest to investigate the
they will change their opinions. l do
not claim that you will not find imper-
feetions. I do not claim that every
absolutely. Nothing Of the kind. Men
are imperfect that make the law, but
this | do say, that the legal status OF
the liquor question in south Washington,
and particularly in the southwest is the
best possible that can be obtained.
Disorderly Saloons.
In reference to disorderly saloons Mr..
Harvey said:
1t is not only the people who are
opposed to liquor who would object to
liquor themselves are opposed to the
disorderly place. and l have never
found case where they did not, when
necessary. AS a liquor man l am op-
and ! would sign a protest to close up
any liquor business in the city that I
had the power to. II l know 1t to be
disorderly. / do not think there Is any
other citizen in this city, regardless of
his business environment, who would
hesitate to do the same thing. 1t
would be his duty, 1t seems to me, II
place was demoralizing and injur-
ing the city. l do not stand for dis
order. The organization that I repre-
sent, which is the entire organized
liquor trade of this city. does not stand
for 1t and does not believe in 1t. They
believe that only the very best men
should be in the business. By that l
mean the man who has stood a care
full examination as to character and
whom the board charged with the re-
sponsibility of issuing of licenses is
satisfied will conduct the liquor busi-
ness in a conscientious, upright, hon
orable manner and not only just liv-
ing within the law because he Is COM
PEELED to, but one who would have such
a high regard for the community and
the feelings OF his neighbors that any
thing tending toward Generalization
would be repugnant to him.
Senator Works-Does your organiza-
tion take any active part in the pre-
worthy men?
Mr.. Harvey-To unworthy men?
Senator Works-When the question
comes up before the excise board l
should presume it might be necessary
to protect your own business
Mr.. Harvey-We are opposed in this
way: The excise board has been fully
informed on behalf Of the organized
liquor trade of Washington that we are
.'Nnosed to any man getting a license
whom the excise board, after care
full Investigation, is not satisfied has a
good moral character and capable OF
conducting the LIQUOR business in an
orderly manEer. That is a standing
protest against persistent violators of
the law entering the business:
The Chairman-But. recognizing the
character of the business your people
are engaged in, and the complaints OF
the violation of the law by those people.
have you not taken any special steps
to enforce the law, and see that your
people comply strictly with 1t?
Mr.. Harvey-Yes. The Federation Of
Liquor Dealers OF the District of Col
umbia have an applicable blank that
every man who Joins the Retail Deal
ers' Association signs and he also.