The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-07-21
The Home and the Club.

Is member OF social club entitled to the
same protection in his club in his home? The
question has become important, especially in the
South, owing to some of the radical prohibition
laws. In Tennessee and other Southern States
the legislatures have enacted laws against locker
clubs, to prevent the sale of liquors under the
guise of social clubs, but in this legislation they
have attempted to say that man may not pur-
chase and keep liquors in private locker at his
clubhouse, the same as he might in the cellar or
pantry of his home. 1t is extreme prohibitory
law, and in Tennessee two judges of criminal
courts have decided that it is in violation of the
State and the Federal Constitutions. The case
will be carried to the higher courts appeal
by the State and the question will merit wide
discussion, not only in the South but through
out the country
The social club has become an accepted insttu-
ton in this country especially in the larger cities
where many clubs provide rooms for members who
make these their homes. To the man without
family it is the most convenient and healthy life
that can be provided 1t is his permanent home
where he lives cntcrtains his friends and has his
social and domestic life. In city like Washing
ton, such club life is the best protection for I'M
married man, especially if he is young and has few
social acquaintances A number of Washington
clubs have added private to furnish accom-
modations for both resident and nonresident men,
bers with the purpose OF not only providing good
accommodations but healthy recreation and pro-
lection from temptation. The Y. NJ c. A be-
leves that it is doing most valuable work with
its club and it is doing just what other clubs
doing with no higher or better purpose in view.
The member Of an athletic club must have
private locker and may the member of a social
club. Who shall say what he may not keep in
his club locker in his home if it be not
infringement on the rights of others? The legs-
latures OF these Southern States have not at
tempted to say that citizen may not purchase,
keep in his home and use liquors. though some
OF them have tried to limit by law the amount Of
the purchase in given time. Even Capt. Hob
son in presenting his prohibition amendment to
Congress said 81 want my colleagues to under
stand from the start, and so far as l can have
them, the American people, that there is no de-
sire no intent on the part OF this resolution to
invade either the individual rights or inherent
liberties OF the citizens, to climb the wall
that civilization, particularly Anglo Saxon civl-
zaton, has built around the home" The captain
was trying to guard against coming in conflict
with that guarantee OF the Federal Constitution
that the rights OF the people be secure in their
persons houses, papers and effects against I'M
reasonable searches and seizures. Capt. Hobson
insisted that he desired to prohibit only the sale
OF liquor, not its use. Others who agree with
Capt. Hobson that the home shall be regarded
as sacred arc willing to invade the home life Of
social club.
1t is rather significant that the first case
brought into court by the Anti Saloon League in
Washington against the leading club OF the
city Here have a high license law mta-
ton the number of licenses which may be
issued and the Excise Board has Cancelled the
licenses OF some saloons against which there ap-
pcared reasonable complaint; but for some reason
not clearly explained the Anti Saloon League
hailed into the oldest club in the CITY, which
is known throughout the country and through
out the civilized world. Was it for purposes OF
wide and sensational publicity that this club was !
first hailed into court violator OF the Jones' !
Works law; it inspired by that fanaticism
which is responsible for OF the laws in South
ern States which prohibit man from keeping
private property in private locker in his club
which he may legally and morally keep in his !
home? There is great complaint everywhere that !
our burdcned and delayed with much I'M !
litigation. with large and unnecessary
costs TO those who pay the taxes. At the same |
mc VIC have an active propaganda in the name
IF religion and morality inspiring and promoting
ust such legislation as that in Tennessee against
social clubs, and just such prosecutions as that
of the Metropolitan Club in Washington, which
lave other effect than burdenng and DELAYING
he courts in the disposition OF legitimate and
necessary business.