Evening star., 1915-02-25
DEFENDS ACTION
OF EXCISE BOARD
Gen. Smith, a Member, De-
cIares Law Was Complied
With in Issuing Licenses.
QUIZZED BY COMMITTEE
CONDUCTING AN INQUIRY
Investigation of Alleged Violations
of Jones-Works Enactment.
Running Fire of Questions.

Gen Robert G. Smith, chairman OF
fhe District excise board. was put
through a severe griliing at todays
hearing by the Senate committee in
vestigating charges against the ex-
rise board Gen. Smith insisted that IN
every instance relating to the grant
ing of licenses or transfers of licenses
the board had acted properly and with
In the meaning of the Jones-Wo orks
excise law
Under a rapid fire of questions from
Senator Sheppard. chairman OF the IN
Nestigating committee. and Senators
Jones and Thompson. Cen Smith ad-
1nitted that Waldo c. Hibbs. appointed
as inspector of saloons for the board.
had made no inspections of any kind
since November l last.
He also admitted that the members
of the board themselves had made no
inspections, with the exception of one
trip to- the southeast section Of the
lily in that period
He gave as the reason for Hibbs not
making inspections that he had been
engaged in the work of transcribing
the hearings in 523 applications for
licenses or transfers of license in this
period; that Hibbs was the only stenog-
i-apher whose services the board could
command.
Clerk Not Stenographer.
You have clerk" suggested Sena-
tor Jones.
Yes" replied Gen. Smith, but he is
not a stenographer." He said that the
clerks name was Hart; that he was
from New Jersey. Gen. Smiths OLD
home state; that he had been selected
- lr hi fC
and not at the suggestion of any poll
ticians-
IF he was a chip OF the old block,
that was sufficient for me-, said Gen.
smith He admitted to the commiItHe
that the board had asked for no addi,
Iional help. He said that the boaro
had not directed Hibbs to make any in
spection of saloons since November ].
touch with the conduct OF the saloons"
said Gen. Smith. Pressed by Senator
Jones. he admitted that only once since
November / has the board visited sa-
usually started out on inspections, he
eaid about 10 o'clock in the morning
or o'clock In the afternoon
You have never inspected saloons at
No.. vas the reply. such work. we
Senator Sheppard questioned Gen.
Smith regarding cases In which the
by issuing licenses to saloons within
900 feet of churches. schools and es-
tablished colleges and universities.
Follows "Right Angle Course"
cen. Smith said that the board had
made the measurements in each case
and found that the places were more
than 400 feet from the prescribed
houses. He explained that the board
had adopted the plan of following q
right angle course" in making meas
urements and had followed the middle
of the sidewalk.
But the law states specifically that
the measurement is to be by the short
est course of travel Senator Sheppard
reminded Gen. Smith
The board had to adopt a general
rule to be followed toward all appli-
cants" was the reply of the witness.
He said that under the police regu-
lations for traffic the board was cor
rect in it's method of making the meas
urements.
Would you follow the police reguia-
JIons rather than the law of the United
States?' asked Senator Thompson.
Senator Jones questioned Gen. Smith
az TO specific cases. and found that the
board sometimes used it's discretion in
the plan of making the measurements
Exceptions only prove the rule"
commented Gen. Smith.
Senator Sheppard asked about the
case of a saloon at AIS East Capitol
street. where the proprietor is charged
with having put up an iron fence run
ming out into the parking. compelling
pedestrians to walk beyond the fence
in order to come within the law that
saloon shall not be within 400 feet of
q school
Wasn't that fence put up after the
law went into effect2' inquired Sena-
Tor Sheppard.
Gen Smith said that if the fence had
Oo right to be there the proper au-
thorities should have had it removed
You take things as you find them
then, general" said Senator Jones'
"and do not seek to fnd whether there
fas been an evasion of the law In
Gen. Smith said that the board was
forced to take things as it found them.
Another Case Cited.
Senator Sheppard turned his atten-
tion to the case of the saloon operated
by Miller Bros, at 18th and E streets
northwest BY questions he showed
that there are three saloons. the
maximum allowed by law. operating on
T. street between 18th and 18th streets:
that Miller Bros had originally had
their entrance on f street; that an ap-
rlication for renewal of their license
mad been refused. that they had then
closed their entrance on E street and
opened one on l4th street, and that the
board had then granted them a license.
Wasn't that plain subterfuge?
demanded Senator Sheppard.
The law has been complied with
vas the comment Of Gen Smith.
Isn't the Miller Bros saloon in ex-
sctiy the same building as before"
asked Senator Jones.
I'Yes." replied Gen Smith. He added
that he did not consider the change of
entrance subterfuge or evasion of
the law.
The case of Engel and Bush who had
saloons in Il street between 18th and
>1fth streets was next taken up
IL was developed that the board had
decided to renew the license of Busch
end to refuse that of Engel, but tina,
the day after il had reached this de-
cision il changed its order and grant ed
the license 10 Engel and refused Bush
Gen. Smith said that the board lad
found that Engel was seriouslv il
%olved financially, and that Bust. had
q good outside business. Therefore h.
said. the board determined that /,
should take the course that would dc
tbe least harm and grant EngeI the
license
He insisted that the decision was ar,
At txh hi he hos.