Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-28
Senator Jones Intimates One Will Be
Reported at This Session.
DEALERS GIVE THEIR SIDE
Hugh F. Harvey, Representing Re-
tail Association, Appears Be-
fore Senate Committee.

idtlOH Oh tne senate DHStTlct cOmHlttee.
Hugh F. Harvey, representing the Re-
tail Liquor Dealers Association, made
straightforward and. sincere plea against
any change in the excise laws that would
limit the liquor traffic in the National
Capital. He called attention to the fact
that changes have been asked for sew
eral years, but that after a full hearing
the committee reported no bill making
changes.
II think you can assume that there will
be some bill reported this time Senator
Jones, chairman of the subcommittee, in
terrupted to say. so you had better
discuss this bill with that idea in view
The biggest crowd that has attended
the hearings since they started Monday
morning was on hand today, and several
anti-prohibitioners were ready to speak.
They will be heard tomorrow morning at
10 o'clock, when the hearings will be re-
sumed.
Strict Rules Govern Sale.
Hugh F. Harvey, representing the Re-
tail Liquor Dealers Association, produced
an application blank Of the organization
to show the strict rules for the sale of
liquor which are laid down for its men,
bers.
HAS any member of the association
ever been put under investigation for
violation Of these rules?" Senator Works
asked Mr.. Harvey.
I'VE have gone after persons who have
violated the rules. but have not had them
up on formal charges" replied Mr.. Har-
vey. THE fragrant viOlatOr of the rules
or the law ought not to be in business.
But when man is guilty of g. technical
violation. We have some one talk to him
in an effort toward a remedy"
'If you have never made charges
against any member for violation of
these rules. what is the object of them?"
persisted Senator Works.
None Ever Expelled.
We require an applicant for member
ship to sign the blank with these rules,
and to sign the constitution" replied Mr..
Harvey. THE application blank is like
an application for any organization, and
We rely on q mans word and honor to
live up to them. We have no redress for
violation. II formal charges against, a
member were made by another member.
and proved, we would expel the viola
tor
HAS it ever been done?" Senator
Works asked.
no"
Attorney A. E. Shoemaker interrupted
to ask II any member OF the association
had been convicted of a violation of the
II am not clear about that" said Mr..
Harvey.
Taking UP the provisions OF the Jones
bill, which has been fathered by the
local temperance forces. he mentioned
the provision to prohibit minor from
going into q barroom.
Law Now Protects Minors.
Personally, 1 would not object to a
prohibition against any minor under
twenty-one going into saloon" Mr..
Harvey added. 1.-The present law. how
ever, is stringent and strict and meets
the situation for the protection of minors,
and II can't be enforced too stringently
for me-
AS to. the proposal of the Jones bill to
limit the hours during which saloons can
be open Mr.. Harvey told the committee
that no saloon kept open unless the busi-
ness demands While the present law al
lows q saloon to be opened at am, ne
said he knew of few which opened at that
hour and those were in localities Wnere
there is q demand for liquor at that hour.
He objected to q discrimination against
these early morning drinkers. in favor OF
those who want a drink after the theater
at night.
"Why not close the saloons at 10 o'clock,
so that when the people get out OF the
theater they will go homer" asked Sena-
tor Jones.
You might find objection to that. Mr.
Harvey replied.
That's reflection on the people OF
Washington, isn't it?' Senator Works in
terjected.
Patronize Liquor Places.
.Recause they want something to eat
after the theater and ask for some liquor
with their food responded Mr.. Harvey.
surprise in his voice. There are many
eating places in Washington open after
the theater where liquor is not sold, but
1 do not notice that they are as well
patronized as the restaurants where
LIQUOR is Sold
As to the proposal of the Jones bill for
the removal Of screens. blinds and opaque
glass, Mr.. Harvey said the prOprietors Of
saloons do not particularly object to such
a provision. He, thought the objection
would come from the man who took a
drink.
~ think the man who Is getting a drink
has as much right to privacy as man
who is getting something to eat" Mr..
Harvey continued.
drinking at soda fountains" DR.. Don
aid c. Macleod of the Anti-Saloon
League suggested.
'It Is an advertisement to show a
fine soda fountain" suggested Mr.. Har-
"As a representative Of the retail
liquor dealers. you do not. then. op-
pose the removal of the screens?"
Senator Jones asked.
81 am not advocating 1t, but raise
no particular objection" explained Mr..
Harvey.
Means Prohibition in District.
The provision of the Jones bill speci-
ies that a saloon shall not be estab-
lished within $50 feet of a public
schoe1house, public park or public
Fairgrounds, any private school. col
lege or university or any place Of re-
ligious worship, and not confronting
Capitol grounds or any building used
for public purposes by the District of
Columbia or the United States, or a
public reservation.
III that section and the two following
is enforced" Mr.. Harvey told the COM
mittee, ''it means prohibition in the Dis
trict.
late the liquor traffic 1t regulates it
right out: 1t exterminates 1t. Liquor
would not be sold. lawfully. in the Dis
trict Liquor would be sold, but not at
licensed places he added.
Opposes Indirect Prohibition.
Senator Works asked how many saloons
were within the prohibition zones around
churches and schools. as defined in the
bill. but Mr.. Harvey did not have figures
ready, but repeated his assertion that not
a saloon would ultimately survive IL the
Jones bill becomes law.