Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-27
LIQUOR IS HIT HARD
Drys Advocate Stringent Ii
cense Law for District.
DEBATE OF ALLEGED EVILS
Delegation Before Senate Committee
to Demand Change.
DISCUSSION OF WORKS BILL
Speaker Describe Conditions Said to
Exist In Some Parts Of
i Warrington.


Exist In Some Parts Of
Washington.
Today's hearings on proposed changes
In the local liquor laws before the sub
committee Of tho Senate District COM
mitteo on excise and liquor legislation
was devoted entirely to further argu-
ments Of tho "drys' for stricter regula-
ton Of the liquor trafnc In Washington.
Representatives Of the Women's Chris
tian Temperance Union and Of the
churches Of Washington were heard.
Plea for More Stringent Law.
Rev. Dr. Donald C. Macleod. pastor
of the First Presbyterian Church,
pleaded for a more stringent liquor
law that would prevent young girls
and young men from purchasing IN
toxicating liquors. The Jones bill,
which raises the age limit Of minors
prohibited from procuring liquor In
barrooms was commended.
The free lunch" was roundly de-
nounced. and DR.. MacLead was particu-
larry strenuous in attacking the screens
and opaque windows that prevent pass
ersby from seeing what Is going on in q
saloon.
Would Solve Problem.
THE removal of the screens would
largely solve the minor problem" he
said. III boys and young men knew
their fathers or mothers could see
them at the bar, they would be de-
TERED from going into saloons.
Il also want to commend the feature OF
the proposed law Jones bilD prohibiting
the sale of liquors in buckets. 1t is an
eyesore to see women and boys coming
from saloons with a bucket.
DIR. Macleod said he counted the sa-
looms along Pennsylvania avenue as ne
went to the Capitol this morning.
az counted ten saloons in one BLOCK IN
the immediate vicinity of the Capitol. ne
said. I'VE in Washington think OF Penn
sylvania avenue as The Avenue. Such q
condition ought not to exist on q street
which we regard as The Avenue, and
which we want to be The Avenue to all
the patriotic and righteous people OF this
'The Avenue ought to be cleansed Of its
dens Of iniQuity. They are dishonor
and shame to the nation.
Queries by Senator Works.
Senator Works interrupted DIR. Macleod
and asked:
How do you explain that the District
every other city and state of the Union
in the control of the liquor business?"
II believe that washington suffers be-
cause 1t does not have some measure OF
Enforcement" replied DR.. Macleod.
DO you find that business men in other
lines defend the liquor interests?' Mr..
Works persisted.
yes. or keep quiet about opposing it,"
replied DR.. Macleod.
Il suppose they take the view that to
ness?" Mr.. Works continued.
No" replied DR.. Macleod. ITO put 1t
bluntly. they are afraid Of being boy
cotted."
you and other. because it will hurt their
own business?'' suggested Mr.. Works.
YES" agreed DR.. Macleod.
Speaks for the Women.
Mrs. Emma 8. Shelton. president of the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union of
the District Of Columbia. spoke for 1000
women. She said many Of them were
mothers Of sons ito whom the saloon is
constant menace
Expressing Endorsement Of the bills I'M
der cons. Iteration as a step In the direc-
ton of prohibition. she pleaded especially
for the restoration Of the old law re-
curing that each year the applicant for a
license shall secure on such application
the signatures Of the majority of the
properly holders and houskeepers on both
sides Of the block where the saloon is to
be located.
I'VE are In hearty accord with the
prohibition Of women acting as clerks in
any place were liquor Is sold. for We be-
heve 1t to be an employment degrading
to womaphood and particularly democrat
izing in the case Of young women she
continued.
After some sad disclosures concern
ing the conditions existing in some of the
dance halls in the city, where young men
and women congregate. about year
ago, I visited, late at night, several
places in the city with a party of friends
where. in connection with the sale Of
liquor. music was provided as an added
attraction.
"I saw in these places young women
and girls drinking freely with the men.
Ever since then | have felt II saloons
are permitted to exist in this District
they should not be allowed to lure their
patrons in by music.
II hope and trust that the day will
soon come when the streets OF our beauti-
and our girls and our young men and our
young women"
Describes the Bucket Trade.
Rev. Dr. A. w. Spooner. pastor Of the
Sixth Presbyterian Church, told the COM
mittee of instances of personal knowledge
to show that boys and women procure
liquor in buckets from saloons in the
District.
I'm answer to the query from Senator
Works why the National Capital is be-
hind many states and cities in control of
the liquor traffic. DIR. Spooner said, Il
would like to say that there is a feeling
that the members of Congress, engaged
with national affairs and questions, think
the regulation of the liquor traffic in
Washington is too small matter to re-
ceiye special attention
Don't you think the people of the
District could take more interest in this
matter and impress Congress with It's i'm
portance?" Senator Works asked. Dr.
Spooner agreed to that.
Mrs. Don p. Blaine told the com
mittee that the temperance forces OF
the District OF Columbia were dis.
couraged
81 recently heard a pastor. in this
connection. tell his congregation thai
Congtess didn't care that'-and she
snapped her hngers-"for the District
Of Columbia.
I'VE have been coming here time and
again and presenting facts and We,
nothing has been done. The condition.
here are not eQualed by those in many
other cities.