The Washington herald., 1915-12-11
NOT influenced,
SAY EXCISEMEN
Board Denies Favoritism Was
Shown to Any Of Ii
censees During Year.
Annual Report States There Are No
Drug Store Bars in Capital.
10.267 Arrests.

The Excise Board in its annual re.
port just submitted to Congress denies
rumors that were current last summer
to the effect that certain persons had
influence over the board in determining
its action. The report shows that the
total amount of revenue received from
the liquor business in the District dur
ing the fiscal year ending June 50 was
$Je6, 69S9S.
From time to time during the last few
months Of the fiscal year" the report
states, 1T was brought to the atten-
ton OF the board that some persons
represented themselves as possessing in
huence in determining it's actions. The
board heard only vague rumors of such
activity< on the part of such persons.
whose identity was not made known 10
II. In order to remedy the condition as
quickly a possible, and as effectively
it was unanimously ordered that the H.
lowing be promulgated and sent to all
licensees"
The board then sets forth to Congrc
a copy of A norder sent TO the licensees
warning them against such persons I'm
promising favor to licensees and appli-
cants who may accept such as true.
The report also points out to Congress
copy of an order sent to the licensees
ing attorneys and others interested in
applications to refrain from discussing
pending questions with the board col
lectively or individually.
In defense OF its rules and regulations.
some of which have been attacked by
the Anti-Saloon League as being in fa-
vor Of the lio1or interests. the board
states:
No Drug store Bars.
1.-THE Excise Board has sincerely en-
deavored properly TO interpret the spirit
Of the excise law by Its rules and regu-
lations. and believes that by means of
them 1t has been greatly aided In the eN-
ercise Of its duties as administrator Of
that law
The report shows that the board has
found no drug store bsrs in the District
During the fiscal year" the report
states, that board visited more than 2or
drug stores in the District and inspected
the books which the Excise Board pro
vides shall be kept by proprietors OF all
such establishments wherein alcohol is
sold. The board found that a large num-
Der OF druggists do not deal in alcohol In
any way. In nearly every other instance
the books inspected showed that the
druggists are complying with the section
of the law which applies particularly to
the conduct of their establishments"
During the fiscal year there was total
of 1927 arrests for violation OF the excise
law. OF this number III were discharged.
LIB were committed and served the full
term Of Imprisonment. TT cases were con-
tinued for sentence. 81 cases were con-
tnued indefinitely. IA await trial by jury.
and sentence was suspended or the pris-
oner was placed on probation in LOOT
cases. The total amount OF fines collected
Tor violations Of the excise law during
the year was So. $3.50.
The report makes no comment on the
Senate investigation into the boards
of enforcing the law during the
first year OF its enactment further than
10 inform Congress where the proceed
ngs in the inquiry arc to be found.