Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-29
Ordered to Answer Question.


Answer the question asked by the
chairman" persisted Senator Works.
You know the general situation there"
Senator Jones continued Assuming
there are ninety saloons there, do you
think there ought to be that many?"
eff that is too many saloons in that
section there ought not to be that many
there" Mr.. Harvey said. Il think the
fact that the saloons are in business
shows there is business there for the
number"
IF the excise board thought there were
too many saloons in that section has it
power under the present law to refuse
any more?" Senator Jones asked.
Il think it has the power at present, -
Mr.. Harvey replied II don't think the
EXCISE board has to assign a reason for
refusing a license"
IF the board has not that power you
think 1t ought to have discretionary
power?" Mr.. Jones continued
Yes. replied Mr.. Harvey.
MT. Harvey, In answer to a direct ques-
ton. refused to say ninety saloons were
too many in southwest section.
From the standpoint of the public in
terest do you think there could be too
many saloons in Washington" Senator
Works asked.
II think about 500 licensed saloons is
about the proper number in Washington, -
depends on the character of the men who
run the places.
Mentions Former Protest.
In the course of his protest against
any new liquor legislation. MIR. Harvey
mentioned protest against a proposed
excise bill pending a couple of years ago.
made by the Chamber Of Commerce.
AS for me-" Senator Jones remarked,
Il Will not give much weight to a pro-
test made one or two years ago and not
renewed this year. ! feel much as 1 do
with regard to saloons that protests
must come up each year.
One protest against place, properly
made, will end It," Mr. Harvey remarked.
One protest doesn't end these bills,
Mr.. Jones flashed back
Il know it," Mr.. Harvey added, with
q smile.
Mr.. Harvey. in closing. made protest
against the provision of the Works bill
limiting the number of saloons in the
District to one hundred, because it would
destroy more than four hundred saloons
now doing business.
p. ]. Ryan. chairman Of the legislative
committee of the Central Labor Union,
stated that he appeared as. the spokes-
man of that organization.
What does your authority consist OFF,
Senator Works asked.
Il come as a result of a resolution
adopted by the Central Labor Union last
Monday directing me to come here ana
protest against the pending bills and
stand on the present law, which has been
In effect nineteen years.
Was there any action by the indie
pendent separate bodies having represen-
tatives in your organization on this ques-
tion?' Senator Jones put in.
Mr.. Ryan gave an explanatory answer.
saying expressions of individual opinion
had been obtained.
Il want q direct answer" Mr.. Jones
kept repeating, as Mr. Ryan continued
his explanation 1t finally came out that
no formal action had been taken by in
dividual bodies, but Mr. Ryan was sure
his attitude would be ratified.
Rev. DR.. Macleod Not Notified.
Rev. DR.. Donald C. Macleod Of the
temperance forces interrupted to say
that he was fraternal delegate to the
Central Labor Union; that he did not
know this question was going to come up,
and that he would have fought the res
olution had he been at the meeting.
Il was not notified this question was
to come up" DR.. Macleod concluded.
delegate" Mr.. Ryan said. 81 will say !
haven't seen him at a meeting for two
or three years. I might add We don't
send out notices Of meetaings."
That aroused DR.. Macleod.
You send out notices when certain
tailors are not in line" he flashed back.
Senator Works took up the attitude OF
organized labor toward liquor legisla-
ton.
do YOU mean to say that the whole
body OF labor in the District OF Columbia
Is opposed to legislation restricting the
liquor business?' he asked.
"All who are not opposed to the legis-
lation could ride in one taxicab." Mr..
Ryan replied.
Mr.. Ryan, saying that 5000 persons IL