Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-09-07
FOES Of SALOONS j
DIFFER AS TOLAW
Time of Effectiveness Of Jones.
Works Statute Is Moot
Question.
POLICIES IN CRUSADE
STILL ARE UNCERTAIN
Contests Will Be Thrashed Out q
Cases Come Before Elk.
else Board. n

Uncertainty as to the policies that NAV
be adopted by the excise board. and q
conflict OF opinion as to when certain
provisions of the Jones' Works law take
effect. contributed to confusion among
members of the Anti Saloon League who
are planning to bring about an irnmed!-
ate reduction of the number Of saloons
in operation in the District
Following a meeting of the headuuar-
ters committee OF the league yesterday
afternoon. President Andrew Wilson gave
out a statement which declared II TO b.
the intention Of that body to bring the
facts in contested cases before the excise
board and to ask in each case for an
Interpretation OF the law as statutes are
usually construed by the courts
Difference of Opinion.
Just how far the league intends to
proceed In insisting that the pro-
| hibitive clauses in the Jones-works
bill were meant to become effective
| this year instead of twelve months
| hence Mr.. Wilson did not make en-
| tirely clear in an oral statement sup
committed. He said that there was
a difference of opinion among the
league members as to when the re-
strictive sections of the law shall be-
questions of law would be threshed
| out from time to time as contested
cases are considered by the board.
The league head asserted that II
will be the policy of his organiza-
| ton to endeavor to cooperate with
| the excise board and that the league
does not desire to have the number
Of saloons in the District reduced at
faster rate than was intended by
| Congress at the time ii enacted the
Jones' Works law.
Statement of Committee.
The statement given out by the head
quarters committee follows:
I'm doing its work In assisting to en-
force the Jones-Works law ii will be the
policy OF the Anti-Saloon League Of the
District Of Columbia to bring the facts
| In contested cases before the excise board
| and to ask in each case for an interpre-
tation of the law as statutes are usually
construed by the courts 1t will be the
purpose Of the league to assist In arriy-
ing at a just determination Of the various
questions that arise. as has been the
practice of the league heretofore. The
league represents a large constituency
and its activities are directed to the
moral and civic welfare OF the COM
munity.
Attorney a. E Shoemaker of the
league, who attended the headquarters
committee meeting, declined to discuss
his plans for opposing certain applica-
tons for saloon license renewals that
will come before the board for con-
sideration within the next few weeks.
Shoemaker Ready to Act.
Mr. Shoemaker attended the boards
first regular meeting Friday prepared
to oppose the granting of certain appli-
cations on the grounds that the pro-
hibitive sections In the law are now in
effect. Although such action would have
been without the formal authorization
Of the league, II was the opinion of MI
Shoemaker that his views would be sus-
tanned by that body.
As the situation stands, the excise
board has not formally considered the
questions concerning certain legal phases
of the law, and just how far ATTORNEY
Shoemaker will go in an endeavor 10
bring about immediate enforcement OF
the provisions designed to reduce the
number of saloons may only be con-
jectured.
Has 46s Applications.
Altogether the board has 46s apph-
cations for license renewals to consider.
and several weeks probably will elapse
have been gone over and decided. II Is
conceded that il all of the prohibitve
clauses should be declared to be in
effect at the present time the result
would be to reduce the NUMBER o.
saloons to at least 500. ana possibly
half that number.
If a considerable number OF applica,
tons are rejected the result also VIII
be seen in the amount of revenue col
lected annually by the District. as rees
deposited with the liquor license ap-
plications this year totaled approximate
Nv half a million dollars.
With the arrival tomorrow from jersey
CITY of Edward J. Hart, secretary to tho
board. that body will get down 10 work
in earnest Chairman Sheehy. with Gen
Robert q. Smith and Henry 5. Baker.
the other member. will early decide
upon a set Of regulations for enforcins
the new law and conducting the boards
business II is probable that they will
name an inspector of saloons early dur
ing the present week.