Evening star., 1914-11-01
Measurements the Issue.

Measurements the Issue.
Should the Anti-Saloon League go into
court it will be for the purpose primari-
ly of obtaining a ruling as to the
method in which measurements should
be conducted by the excise board. Off
cials Of the league declare that had its
method for ascertaining distances been
adopted by the board the excise commits
sioners would have been compelled to
reject great many more licenses than
they did because of the establishments
being located in prohibited zones.
In the event court decision should
be handed down upholdinG the leagues
contention as to the manner in which
measurements should be made that Or
ganization undoubtedly will attempt to
have annulled many of the licenses
granted by the board. At tomorrow
nights meeting of the directors of the
Anti-Saloon League, A. E. Shoemaker,
attorney for the organization, will make
definite recommendations as to its fu-
ture course. Speaking Of the situation
last night. he said:
suppress the liquor traffic in the Dis
trict. In the meantime 1t is it's pur-
pose as always to get the most pos
sible good out of existing license laws
So it has been the aim of the league
to get out of it as much as possible
in the way Of protection to the homes
of the city, and be removing SO far
az has been in its power the tempta-
ti0n OF the saloon, especially in resi-
dsnce sections
Contrary to Law.
The work OF the board has been diff
fcult in the extreme. The league
sought to render it every possible as
sistance in securing facts as to loca-
tions and conditions. While there 1s
much in the final results that is graft
flying to the league and anti-saloon
people generally. there is also bitter
disappointment. Not that the number
of barroom licenses granted is only three
less than the limit under the law. but
that many barrooms have been re-
licensed contrary to the express pro-
visions of the law. in the judgment Of
its friends. II the 297 or even 300
barroom licenses had been granted
without going outside the law no COM
plant would have been made by the
league
But the league protests because many
licenses have been renewed in sections
Of the city almost wholly residential.
and on sides of blocks that a few weeks
ago were residential, but that became
business blocks over night Instead of
measuring distances between churches
or schools and saloons by the shortest
course of travel as we think is re,lu red
by law, other methods of measurement
were adopted in many cases.
Barrooms located on non-business
streets have been turned into wholesale
places which. according to many. are
even more Objectionable in residence
neishborhood than saloons A whole
saler may sell to women; a bar may not.
Clubs and hotels located on non
business fronts have been granted H.
censes. we believe, in violation of the
spirit and the letter of the law. Whole
sale licenses have been granted in resi-
1H~
contrary to the Interpretation of the
law by Its friends, and hotels with less
than fifty bedrooms have been granted
licenses when the law provides that no
license shall be issued to q hotel hav-
ing less than fifty bedrooms for guests.
Much Rejoicing Also.
While there Is disappointment in the
final results of the boards delibera-
tions. there is great rejoicing in many
sections because of the removal of sa-
looms therefrom. Especially is this
true of suburban sections. Indeed
anti-saloon people all over the Dis
trict have reason to rejoice over the
general results of the Jones-Works
law, and by the end of another yeaI
its effect will be even more apparent.
The fight of the league to reduce
the number OF liquor establishment.
has not been directed against the mer
VINO HOlQ licenses. ne nSnI IS agalnS
the traffic. In very few instances wa:
the league called on to attack the
licensee. The aim was to remove sa-
looms principally by applying to then
the provisions of the law"
Matthew E. O'Brien. chairman of tn,
board of directors OF the East Wash
ington Civic Association, stated thi,
organization would not rest in its figh
to abolish the saloon from Capitol Hill
There is every prospect that the asso
citation will work in conjunction will
the Anti-Saloon League in whatevel
court action may be instituted. Mr.
O'Brien said the members of his organ
ization believe that representative,
should be as amenable to dry" zon,
law as are residents in the navy var.
and other prohibited territories, ans
that effort will be made to drive tn,
saloon from the vicinity of the Cap
itol.
Many Will Not Protest.
Many rejected applicants, 1t is learned
will accept the decision of the board
without entering protest. According tc
Alexander H. Bell. who represented 9
large number Of applicants. none of hi,
clients who failed to obtain licenses will
endeavor to have the action of the board
set aside. Mr.. Bell said that the task
Of the board had been a hard one anG
that he had no criticism to make
Because OF the fact a number of estab.
Hshments are located within 400 feet
of q church or school the excise officials
found 1t necessary to turn down many