Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-04
PRIEST SCORES SCOFFERS
Branded as Ignorant for Sneering at
Tribute to Saloonkepers.
MOST EXCITING SESSION YET
Senate Subcommittee on Distric
Hears Strong Arguments Re-
garding Proposed Legislation.

committee OF the Senate DlStl1Ct coiiiiiilt-
tee today. The lie was passed to minis
ter and a reprimand for sneering was ad-
ministered to members of the audience
by a priest 1t was by all means the
most exciting day since the hearings
began a week ago.
The hearing went along in tame sort
of way during the first couple OF hours,
the arguments presented being largely
repetitions of those gone over before. But
it livened up when Father Meagher OF
st. Donlinic's Catholic Church in South
west Washington expressed his opposition
to change in the excise laws.
'Thirty-four proprietors Of barrooms in
the southwest section attend my church.
he remarked. Il wish you would COM
pare them with any other similar men
in business here. in cleanness OF lie and
ordinary decency."
''Oh. N.Y. and "Ha. ha,' interrupted
him. spoken by two men seated in the
as he turned to face those in the room.
"Ridicule and sneers are no argument,
he snapped. They are used only by
the ignorant" The dropping of pin
could be heard in the room. The priest
continued to face the audience in silence
for minute. Then he quietly resumed
his argument.
1aSSeS Lie TO minister.
But even this incident did not compare
with what followed. James l.. Feeney
was defending personal liberty and the
saloon proprietors of Washington. and he
could not see the evils that had been
claimed to result from saloons. He men
toned the Eagles, and was interrupted
by Rev. A. II. Thompson, pastor OF
Waugh NJ. E. Church.
rs the bar at the Eagles Club open on
Sundays?" the minister asked.
Yes, open legally" retored Mr.
Feeney. And have been there on Sun
days, and have never seen any one from
there intoxicated"
"Oh, l have. l have shouted back the
minister.
Il don't believe it," flashed back Mr..
Feeney.
The minister jumped to his feet and the
two men glowered at each other. neither
speaking for a half q minute.
LET us not get into these personal
discussions" said Hugh F. Harvey, who
| has been conducting the hearings on the
part of the liquor interests OF Wash
ington.
Would Retain Free Lunch.
j. II. Adriaans, who asked to be heard
On his own account, took special eXcep-
ton to the section, Of the Jones bill
promoted by the local temperance forces
j-providing that a family injured by the
intoxication of any person has right
of action against the person who caused
the intoxication. He contended the pro-
vision was too vague, and did an inJus-
tice. He remarked that it was not the
last drink that caused the intoXicatlon.
and vet it's dispenser would be the one
to be held under the section.
THE saloon keeper has no A-ray' ne
hos M
whether or no one more drink will make
a customer run over.
Both Senators Jones and Works asked
Mr.. Adriaans whom he represented, and
he persisted he talked only for himself.
"Do YOU represent any liquor mem!
Senator Jones asked. ;,
MY Affiliations are with the churcnes,
he replied, and laugh went around the
room. 49, ~.
nrohihition of the Jones bill against free
lunch in saloons be not passed
1T tends to help intoxication. rather
than to prevent it," he remarked The
lunch that is given neutralizes the effect
Of the alcohol.
In the Bible Mr. Adriaans found an ar
gument against prohibition.
..I have here" he said, showing paper,
fifty references in the Bible In favor
of liquor, and only twenty-nine against
= f. W. Oyster lone member of the
Central Labor Union, who appeared few
DAYS ago in favor of stricter regulation
Of liquor selling in the District, reap
peared today to challenge statements made
hv representatives of the Central Labor
Union that taxicab would hold all
members Of organized labor ranks in the
District who are opposed to the proposed
legislation.
Suggests Referendum Vote.
Il would like to have the question re-
ferred to the members of the unions for
a referendum VOTE" he remarked. Il
think the result would show many op-
posed to the legislation"
"Haye any labor bodies in the District
made a protest against the resolution
adopted by the Central Labor Union in
favor of the present law?' asked Hugh
r. Harvey, who represents the liquor
men, brewers and wholesale and retail
dealers.
Mr. OYSTER maintained some Of the
unions had never expressed themselves
on the question.
IF there is any union in the District
that is opposed to saloons i'm the Dis
trict," Mr.. Harvey remarked, we would
like to have YOU inform u.s.
John IL. Magruder, the grocer. began
spea king in opposition to the proposed
legislation, standing where he faced "A
:
L.. but hack of the stenc grapher
''NNill you please stand around in front
of the stenOgrapher, Senator Jones
asked.
II stood where these ladies could hear
me-" Mr.. Magruder flashed back.
III you get 1T in the record they can
read it." Senator Works remarked.
If they read more about the liquor
business they wouldn't favor such legls-
lation as this" Mr.. Magruder retorted.
Mr. Magruder recalled that In 1893
there were LOO saloons in Washington.
The license fee was raised at that time
and has been raised once since. The ef-
feet of the higher license has been to re-
duce the number of wholesale and retail
places to about $50.
Prohibition Not Effective.
Mr. Magruder took exception to a
statement of Senator Works Saturday
that LIQUOR should not be sold in grocery
stores.
..If the big grocery stores in Washing
ton didn't sell liquors and Wines" he re-
marked. "they wouldn't be able to pay
expenses twenty-four hours"
That's a sad commentary on WASH
inrfon'' Senator Works remarked. A
round of applause from the Temperance
representatives greeted the observation.
Mr. Magruder cited conditions around
Lake Champlain in New York and Ver-
|@1~-xi,,,~A IN DoOo