The Washington times., 1912-05-14

Sunday ia observed about ~ we'll a., II
could possibly he observed In any city
~ this country"
Opposed to Any Change.
SubstantistinR Mr.. Harvey. and
claiming there is no need for any
change In the laws. were several rep
rcsentatives OF the local labor Organise
tions The first ono was p. J. Ryan,
chairman of the legislative committee
of the Central Labor Union. who said:
II am opposed to any change In the
present legislation because II has served
a useful purpose. and DO not want 70
the change for the reason that our
people in the District OF Columbia Will
be affected, and greatly affected, by II:
hnd An psSs. o tbs want 10 sas 'hS
ought to be counted and weighed upon
this important question.
."I want to say that washington Is an
ideal city and those people wssS,nstne gsS Some
are very loath to leave. II you Will Just
poll the. people here you will hnd that
many Of them are not born citizens OF
come here ana taken up their residence
because II was q beautiful and mag
nificent city, and, that the morals are
good. ! think that have presented my
the views of the Central Labor Union" 4"
Confirming Mr.. Ryan, Milton SHELL
ings, president OF the Central Labor
I'VE are opposed to a change in the
excise law. We believe that there 10
plenty OF law. We think that Wash
ington is over regulated now" He
was followed by John B. Colpoys, sec
who said TO the Senate committee;
you have been very lenient and very
kind in allowing us TO give our views.
do not know that I have anything
we feel now that after nineteen years
of q law on the statute books that
regulates the liquor traffic as we'll as
this law apparently does, and there are
LIQUOR law, we, feel that we ought to
let well enough alone.
we feel, as has been told you by
three representatives, that the present
law, II enforced-let 1t be rigidly en-
forced-will correct some Of the abuses
perhaps that do exist"
Both sides to the controversy attempt
ed to prove the justice OF their position
by Major Richard Sylvester chief OF
police. Major Sylvester began his tes-
ton:
Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen: The de-
partment of police for the past eight or
ten years has been asking for changed
legislation in regard to several matters
which we have deemed important to
the protection OF society as against some
of the means adopted for liquor selling" "
Major Sylvester's Testimony.
Major Sylvester proceeded with his
testimony, showing in detail where he
thought new excise laws were needed
and why. Toward the close Of his testi-
mony Mr.. Harvey engaged him In a
cross-examination as follows:
Mr.. Harvey-Major, notwithstandlng
this remarkable condition of affairs
trolmen-about 100 in daytime and about
200 at highland the great territory
which they have to cover, is IT not gen
orally conceded that Washington is
you will find in the United States? Has
there ever been any question about
that, to your knowledge?
Major Sylvester-No, sir; we have less
crime in the city of Washington than IN
any other city of it's size, so far az
population is concerned. We have a
| great deal of minor violations-disor:
derly conduct. people in the gutter, anc
violations OF the speed and traffic regu'
lations. We have no law against drunk.
| between 5000 and $500 people a year
| whom have become an obstruction tt
| the highway and could not care FOL
themselves. They are released Wns, ts,,
homes. We probably have 800 to 4O(
CA ses of habitual drunkenness In year
The criminal cases In year IN TINS
jurisdiction VIII not number more thar
! demeanor cases will run up to 5000
| probably. -
Air. Harvey-But, taking it all In all
YOU feel that the city Is orderly ana ]:
we'll taken care of under the circum
| stances?
Major Sylvester feel 1t is being tax
Ell care OF as we'll as can be with tht
| implements afforded to do IT.
Mr. Harvey-That is exactly what
| mean.
| new laws. I think there are matters
| here that should be corrected TO makt
| II better. I think there might b'
charges, as / have stated. In the excls'
Police Court having the authority e
| try these bawdyhouse and disorder!
house cases should be given us. and
think that there should be greater
| pro rata re5traiut everywhere IN tni'
| community.
Mr.. Harvey-As Major and Superin
| tendent of Police in the District OF Co
| lumbia during most OF the time I'M
present excisA law has existed. you dt
| not find any great clamor or complain
| from the people generally about viola
tions of law and about bad conditions
here in the District of Columbia d'
you?
Major Sylvester-I have not heard any
great clamor: no sir am s'mp,y =.
Mr.. Harvey-And you would near II
| would you not? -,
Senator Works-Let him finish hi
| answer.
Mr.. Harvey-I am only saying h'
would II there had been.
Point Out Changes.
And, again. a little further on. aftei
Major Sylvester had pointed out SOM
needed changes in the excise laws, from
the standpo oint Of the Police Depart
ment. Mr.. Harvey again asked ahou
| the general moral condition OF wash
| ington, as follows:
Mr. Harvey-One other question. ma
Tor. Do YOU feel that conditions ar
any worse here in WashtnRton nov
than they have been any time In TN
past ten years?
Major Sylvester-No, sir; we ar
growing like any other community. W.
are progressing with the introduction
OF great many good features. tn
automobile, and the attractive motion
picture shows. and everything else, CIV
ing Washington a little more CONNER
ciaIism and a more metropolitan ap
pearance than 1t has had in years gon
by. I think, perhaps, that Is instru
mental in bringing out the young folks
and, perhaps, making a little NOR
| trouhle-a little more friction.