Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-07-01
NEW EXCISE LAW
NOW IN EFFECT
CoIored Man, Accused of
Drunkenness, First One
Arrested.
SALO0NISTS TO OBEY
STATUTE TO Letter
Can Women Be Served in Restau-
rants? Is Puzzling
Question.

The first arrest under the new excise
law was made this morning two and a
half hours after it went into effect. by
Policeman Hospital of the first precinct.
Clarence Wilson. a colored man, was
found asleep and intoxicated. the officer
charges, in a doorway on New York ave-
nue. near 14th street northwest, at 2:3O
o'clock this morning.
The case was not heard in the Police
Court today. Attorney Thomas l.. Jones,
who represents the accused, obtained a
continuance until Friday. Wilson depos-
tied SO at the station house last night
and is at liberty on that collateral.
Hundreds of persons knocked on .he
front doors of saloons this morning be-
fore o'clock, In seeking a drink, but
not until the stroke Of Z was any door
thrown open to them. 1t is reported that
the saloonkeepers to q man complied with
the Z o'clock opening law the first day
1t became effective, and many of them.
1t is stated. will not take advantage of
the provision which enables them to re-
main open until o'clock in the morning
Can Women Be ServedP
Can a woman be served intoxicants
in restaurants?" was q question asked
many times today by holders of res
taurant licenses.
Roger williams, who has served as
years, and who has studied the new
law, responded that he thought not.
Not until the place has been de-
clared by the excise board to be q res
taurant," he suggested. quoting the
law.
Part Of paragraph IA OF the statute
covering the question, OF sales to
licensee sell. give. furnish or distribute
any intoxicating liquors to any female.
nor permit any female to enter or re-
main in his barrOom: Provided, That
bona fide guests Of hotels. restaurants
and clubs having license to sell In
toxicating liquors may be served with
liquors at meals in such hotels, res
taurants and clubs during the time
liquor may be sold: Provided further,
That no place shall be deemed res
taurant withinNthe meaning Of this
paragraph unit the same shall have
been declared sch by action Of the ex-
else board" .,.s,.<4.. ..-.--,fssssS-
1t is taken by persons familiar with
the law that intoxicants may be dis
pensed In clubs and hotels without action
on the part of the excise board. but the
law. they state. Is go explicit In regard to
restaurants that sales made before the
are in violation Of law. Police action will
be guided by instructions given by the
corporation counsel and his assistants,
however, and it is probable that no ar
rests will be made until warrants have
been issued.
IAN questions arising under the law
said Corporation Counsel Thomas, will
be referred to the Police Court"
Many Bottles Taken Home.
The police think it surprising that there
morning who were not aware of the
change in the hour of opening. Many of
the saloonkeepers took occasion to advise
their patrons of the change that had to
be made and. it is stated. many bottles
of wet goods were taken nome last
night by drinkers.
It is stated that saloons in the vicinity
Of the several markets were affected by
the late opening more than those In other
sections Many country people attending
the markets found it impossible to get
.'eye openers during the early morning
hours. and they were surprised when
they found front doors of saloons locked.
rs Jack sick this morning?" anxiously
inquired a thirsty citizen from nearby
state as he stood in front of saloon
near a market this morning before the
opening hour.
You don't suppose he's dead?' he
added i've been getting my morning
toddy here many years, and this Is the
first time he ever failed me-"
His business may be dying" the
thirsty man was told, 'but Jacks taking
and he can't open until o'clock"
TOO bad" remarked the disappointed
man. "but I'll save 20 cents by the op-
Grafton"