Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-23
OTHER CHANGES MADE
IN THE DISTRICT LAW
Committee Recommends Appointment
of New Excise Board.
CLAUSE RELATING TO HOTELS
No Saloons Permitted In Proximity
to Public Parks, Residence Sec
tions or Near School
Buildings.

bu1ld1ngs.
That the new liquor law for the Dis
trict, framed and adopted by the Senate
District committee, is designed to be 'in
harmony with the temperance sentiment
of its people and in harmony with the
advanced temperance legislation of the
country" is the prime reason urged for
its enactment by Congress in the commit
tee report submitted to the Senate today
by Senator Jones of Washington.
1t is not a prohibition measure, Senator
Jones says, and is not intended to be
such. This is in answer to the claims Of
Hugh F. Harvey, representing the liquor
interests Of the National Capital. that the
bill will result in making the District
dry
Its proper administration in letter and
spirit" Senator Jones adds, will bring
about as good conditions in connection
with the sale of liquors as can be founA
anywhere short Of absolute prohibition. =
While the report is designed primari-
ly to outline the changes in the laws
regulating the sale Of liquor in the
District the passage Of the proposed
law will make, it is filled with criti-
cisms of present conditions and with
arguments for the more stringent reg
ulation Of liquor selling.
Especially does the report denounce
conditions as regards the proximity
and number Of saloons around school
houses. The bill would increase the dis
tance within which saloons are pro-
hibfted from schools from 400 to 600
feet.
The statement of Mr.. .Fishback before
the subcommittee" Senator Jones says
IN the report. in quoting statement re-
garding saloons near the Central and
Busfuces High schools. shows q coudi-
tion that fs intolerable, and 1t is hoped
that this increase in the distance within
which saloons can be located In the
netghborhood Of schools and the dis
do away with . situation so much to be
deplored n the National Capital"
Again, IN another place. the report
says:
Of a residential alley or places common
ly called slums. Conditions in this re-
spect are now deplorable, and 1t is hoped
that this provision will correct the evils
now existing to some extent at least"
That the committee is convinced Of the
need for q change in the formation OF
the excise board. which passes on all
licenses, the report states as reason
for the provision for a new board. This
board Is to be composed Of three mem
bers. to be appointed by the President
confirmed by the Senate, to serve three
years Of one term and to receive 81, 400
per year salary.
Other Changes Outlined.
OF other changes in existing excise laws
the report goes. on to say:
"A hotel must have fifty bedrooms fol
guests. and the board has full authorit,
to inquire as to the character of the hote
applicant. Under the present law twenty
five rooms are all that are required, ant
1t Is said the board cannot inquire into
the character of the applicant for 9
license.
mo saloon. other than hotels or clubs
can be located or maintained within 15l
restriction In this regard. and as high a
eight or nine saloons are maintained or
ore side of one square.
The report continues:
The establishment of a saloon in the
waiting room of any railway station OIL
depot is prohibited.
The establishment of saloons in resi-
dence portions of the District is pro-
hibited. and it is made the duty of the
excise board TO determine whether the
territory in which application for a sa-
loon IL made is or Is not within the bust.
ness portion of the District; but in no case
can q saloon be located on any side Of a
square or block of land il less than. g
per cent of the buildings on the same, ex
cluding saloons. or hotels or clubs having
licenses. are used for business purposes
This is in line with advanced legisla
ton on this phase Of this business and /.
in improving the conditions in the Dis
trict.
In Vicinity Of Parks.
SALOONS are excluded from certain ter
ritory around Rock Greek and the Zoo
logical parks. There are only two O
three saloons in this territory now. ant
with the thousands of children and WON
en- visiting these parks almost daily, es
pecialIy In the summer time. there shoult
be no saloons near them.
"An applications for licenses must b
reported upon by the chief Of police. ant
II his report Is adverse the excise bOart
can grant the license only by unanimou,
action.
'sThe excise board is required to aaon
and follow a policy that will reduce til
saloons in the District to 800 includin
clubs and hotels, by November 1, 1911
The policy of limiting the number o
with great success. and your conmitte,
are strongly OF the opinion that tn
limitation herein proposed is YER
reasonable one.
Ene WnOleS4le Incense Zee Is Increases
from $500 to $500. and the retail fee fron
$500 to 81, 900 until November 1. 1914, an
thereafter to $500 and 81 800. respectively
''The wholesale dealer cannot sell Il
quantities less than one QUARTZ Is nov
one pint-and then only In sealed pack
ages.
Rule Governing Club Licenses.
Before license can be granted to
club It must be shown that 1t Is duly In
corporated. that its membership IL bon
nde, alI being on an equal statrs, wit
equal privileges and responsibilities. tina
its purposes are legitimate and that tn
sale OF liquor ID Intended as no more tina
an incident and Is not prime source q
revenue.
Sales to minors are prohibited and IN
word knowingly Is omitted from th
present law, but II is expressly provide
that Ignorance of the age Of the miuo
shall be no defense to q prosecution.
mo Intoxicating liquor can be sol
lContinued on second Payej