Evening star., 1915-02-26
Hotel and Summer Garden.

lice precinct took the stand and told
the committee about tho Grand Hotel.
He said that a summer garden had
been run in connection with IL in
very Objectionable manner. and that
the summer garden was freqaented by
street walkers, etc. He said he had
protested against a renewal or the IL
cense.
II invite the attention of the COM
mittee to the testimony given by the
witness at the hearing before the
board Gen. Smith, chairman of the
excise board. said.
Senator Sheppard said the committee
would give 1t attention.
Lieut.. Sprinkle also testified as to
the Marks Hotel on e street. and said
that it had been run in a more ob1ec-
tionable way than the Grand.
Louis Bush Testifies.
Louis Bush was the next witness. He
told the committee that up until last
fall he had operated bar at 1905 e
street northwest. His license was not
renewed, he said.
Wasn't your application granted at
one time by the committee?" asked Sem
ator Sheppard.
The witness said that he had heard
it was. from a Mr.. Riley. an under
taker, but that he had not been Of
hcially informed.
"1t was the talk Of the street that it
was granted" he added.
He testified that he had paid julius
!. Peyser a retainer of $3.50 in an ef-
fort to get his license renewed. and
that Peyser had obtained the services
of Joseph Sheehy, former chairman OF
the excise board, to aid in getting the
license. He said that a contingent fee
of $1,000 had been promised by him II
the license was obtained
Didn't you think that a very large
fee?' asked Senator Jones.
The witness replied that Mr.. Peyser
had told him it would be the fee.
Did Mr.. Peyser tell you why he
obtained the services of Mr.. Sheehy in
this matter?" asked Senator Jones.
Reiterates Boards Contention.
Mr. Bush reiterated that the board
contended that the Evans building
being near a railroad terminus and a
a very congested spot where women
license should not be granted.
Yet a license was granted for
saloon suggested Senator Sheppard.
Yes"
William A. Engel next took the
stand and was sworn. He said he was
in the saloon and restaurant business
and was endeavortng to secure the re-
newal of his license. knowing In the
neighborhood where he is located
somebody would have to go. He said
he employed his regular attorney. Mr..
Burkhardt, who transacted all his legal
business.
Mr.. EngeI was asked il there has been
any suggestions of the exertton OF IN
f1uence, to which he replied in the mega
tive, adding that his attorney told him
%o1l, rSti. hi fri nd
one could help him. Later he took the
matter up with the agent of the Pabst
Brewing Company. man named Ment-
eel.
Witness Is Questioned.
What did he do?" Senator Sheppard
asked.
It don't know replied the witness.
You dsn't really want to know what
he did?" asked Senator Jones.
'Oh. didn't ask him any questions"
said Mr. Engel.
you are not going to, are you?" ask
ed Senator Jones.
II am not" responded the witness.
Mr.. Engel went on to say, in response
to questions. that he expected to pay
his attorney S25 or $50; that the at
torney might not charge anything-at
any rate. he expected to be presented
with a very small bill.
well, that's pretty good notice to
your lawyer" Senator Jones COM
mented.
Mr. Engel was asked if he did not in
tend to make good any agreement
which his attorney may have seen At
to make in the negotiations.
Il would have to see that drst," Mr..
Engel replied.
Michael c. Fitzsimmons. who con-
Quoted a tailor shop, told Of what oc-
tn hi
property over to Thomas Raqerty who
was seeking a transfer of license.
Costello Employs Attorney.
jeremiah Costello. 521 1st street
southwest, who was then sworn. said
he had secured his license last June.
He employed Alexander H. Bell and
had paid him 5000, which included pay
ment for his services in some other
legal business. In November he gave
him 500. when he got the renewal OF
his license. Mr.. Costello said that his
place was 1000 feet from the nearest
was there a church called st. John
the Baptist nearer than that asked
Senator Sheppard.
three weeks there was church To-
Gated in a room some 10 by 12 feet in
dimensions. which had formerly been
used as a grocery store. but that it did
not last long. He said it has no con-
gregation and one day when he looked
at it all he could see was pasteboard
sign stating that 1t was st. John the
Baptist Church, but there were no
chairs inside. He admitted that the
sign was up when he applied for Ii
cense but said that the church went out
inside Of three weeks. He said his
place of business was within 300 feet
of one entrance to Browns court.
Mr.. Costello said that 1t cost him
from s12.0 900 to $4,000 for the property
and the fixtures. He said he expended
this money before he received his
license.
IT was willing to take a chance"
said the witness. He also testified that
he had bought up some of the neigh
boring property on F street.
Tells of License Transfer.
Peter ]. Lynagh Of 500 7th street
southwest was next sworn, telling the
committee how he had secured the
transfer Of the license to his present
place, which he had bought and now
owned He said he had employed At
torney Sheehy with a retainer Of 800
and a fee Of $1,000, which he had paid. |
He said he had paid eight or nine
thousand dollars before he received the
transfer.
Did you have any intimation that
YOU would get the transfer" he was
asked.
NO" |
.Did YOU ask why it was necessary to
nav such a fee for the transfer of the
license?" |