Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-02
LIQUOR MEN HEARD
Enter Another Protest Against
Change in Excise Laws.
CHAMPIONED BY THURSTON
Former Senator Appears Before
Committee in Interest Of Dealers.
GERMAN SOCIETIES PETITION
Present Resolution Opposing
Change, Declaring Satisfaction
With Existing Conditions.
GERMAN SOCIETIES PETITION

The liquor interests Of the District had
another inning at the hearing before
subcommittee Of the Senate District COM
mittee today on the bills now before Con-
gress proposing changes in the excise
laws OF the District. Former Senator
John NJ Thurston appeared for the Fed
Grafton of Liquor Dealers Of the District,
arguing for two hours against many of
the changes proposed in the so-cailed
Anti-Saloon League bill. which was intro
duced by Senator Jones'
Rudolph Saur, representing the United
German societies Of the District, twenty
Two In number, presented resolution to
the committee on the part OF the socie-
ties opposing changes in the present ex-
else law The resolution stated that the
German societies were well satisfied with
the law and with the manner In which 1t
has been enforced here for a score OF
years or more.
Senator Thurston charged that many
provisions Of the Jones bill were really
aimed at establishing prohibition in the
District. He charged that the provision
requiring a salOOnkeeper to obtain the Sig
nitures Of a majority of all the residents
and property owners in the block where
he proposed to open his saloon and also
of the five nearest blocks was prOhibitory
in its nature. The provision which re-
quires that no saloon shall be erected
within $50 feet-which has, he said, been
reduced to 500 feet-of churches, schools.
public buildings and grounds, would also
be prohibitory He gave the names Of
many of the large hotels and clubs Of the
city which would be forced to give up
their liquor licenses II this provision
should become law.
Wants Independent Excise Board.
Senator Thurston argued for the crea-
ton of an Independent excise board,
charged with no other duties, to whose
discretion the regulation Of the liquor
traffic should in large part be consigned.
He declared that the liquor laws in Wash
ington were well enforced at present and
said he had not heard the present excise
board board criticised. Washington. he de-
cities as to the number Of saloons. Pro-
hibition might be enforced, he said in
rural districts but it had proved imprac-
ticable in large cities. and resulted in
conditions worse than those which exist
where the liquor trade is licensed.
Senator Works of California, who has a
bill before the Senate also for stricter
liquor traffic regulation, took occasion to
favor of prohibition, he felt satisfied that
the saloons could not be done away with
in Washington. and he was seeking regu-
lation of the traffic here
Senator Thurston opposed fixing an arbi-
trary limit to the number of saloons in
any, particular block or section of the
city. He said that II the liquor trade was
congested in a few saloons 1t might result
in more disorder than could possibly exist
where the trade was more extended.
the Jones bill which would prohibit
the employment of woman clerks in
wholesale Establishments where liquor
is sold. Senator Works suggested that
4 hn f0r 70 viz thA
trade out Of grocery stores. but to this
Senator Thurston would not agree.
Alcohol-Benefit OF Curse.
Senator Thurston raised the question
as to whether alcohol had been more
of a benefit to mankind or a curse He
said he would not attempt to answer
this question, but merely wished to
say that ever nation and race which
had progressed from barbarism to civil
lization had been users Of alcohol Sen
ator Works drily suggested that per-
haps the reason Of their progress was
NOT alcohol.
IN conclusion, Senator Thurston de-
clared that the Federation Of Liquor
Dealers was actively interested in the
It would be - good thing for the a trade lI Il
all the dealers should join the associa-
ton and aid in this fight for enforcement
of the laws. He said that every member
of the federation was opposed to the
sale of liquor to minors. but he objected
to that provision in the bill which strikes
out the word knowingly" from the pres
ent law dealing with the punishment OF
dealers selling liquor to minors.
The committee will give another hear
Ing on the liquor bills Monday at 10
o'clock. Senator Jones, chairman Of the
committee, said that an effort will be
made to close the hearings at that time,
though II more time is needed another
hearing will be allowed.