Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-02-17
Not Backed by Tumulty.

Not Backed by Tumulty.
He told the committee that SO far as
he knew, Mr. Tumulty had not recon-
mended him to the President for ap-
pointment. and gave the names of a
number of prominent New Jersey men
who had sought his appointment.
THE Presidents secretary did not
recommend me for appointment at my
instigation, and if he did recommend
me. it was at the instigation of the
gentlemen whose names / have given.
said Gen. Smith.
The testimony of Andrew Wilson,
president of the Anti-Saloon League.
in regard to a locked gate on the prop
said was kept locked to make it easy
for John Allen to obtain barroom
license under the law, was vigorously
attacked before the committee TO-DAY
by Leo A. Rover. representing Fatner
Donnelly. Mr. Rover insisted that the
statement of Mr.. Wilson was absolute
ly false, and a "cowardly" attempt to
cast reflection upon the priests.
Before Mr.. Rover made his statement
to the committee. Senator Pheian.
tee, submitted letter from Mr.. Will
son addressed to the committee, in
which he asked to have his testimony
relating to the gate at st. Aloyslus
Church eXpunged from tne recoro, say
ing that he had been mistaken in his
charge.
Denies Neighborhood Is "Slum.'
Mr.. Wilson's testimony regarding the
gate at the church was attacked also
by Martin ]. Mcnamara. president of
the Central Citizens Association. Mr..
Mcnamara declared his Indignation
ntG nf f.
feet that the excise board had granted
licenses in "slum'' neighborhood in
the section covered by the association
of which he is president. He insisted
that it was an insult of the grossest
character to call 1T a slum section.
The hearings on the Smith nominal
ton were concluded today. The COM
mittee will now consider it's report on
tho nomination in executive session
and submit it to the full committee.
Secretary Tumulty today sent to the
committee all the letters recommending
Cen Smith for appointment and reap
pointment on file at the White House,
and these were placed in the record.
Among them were letters from Rev.
DR.. G. Ernest Smith of st. Thomas
Church, who urged his original ap-
pointment as well as his reappoint-
ment. Others who asked the President
to appoint Gen. Smith included Sem
ator Hughes of New Jersey and Rep
resentative Hamill and former Repre-
sentative Kinkaid of New Jersey.
The first witness before the commit
tee today was r. l.. FiShback. He OPP
posed the confirmation of Gen. Smith,
going into the cases of Geyer's cafe
and barroom at 1928 and 1927 18th
street and of the barroom at 1912 and
1914 18th street, insisting that in each
case two bars were operated under a
single license in violation OF the law.
Attacks Boards Attitude.
Mr.. Fishback told the committee that
il the excise board could grant licenses
in this way it could grant to one man
a license to conduct barrooms over a
whole block. He attacked the situation
regarding saloons near the intersection
of 14th and streets. pointing out
that many school children pass these
saloons daily and that the condition
is a disgrace to the city.
Senator Pkelan said that the commit
tee was interested in learning if there
were violations of the excise law. lie
said: IF the excise board has COM
piled with the law. then your remedy
lies in obtaining relief from the APP
pointive power. You say that the ex-
else board has favored the liquor in
terests. and is biased. Some people
prefer tnst kInQ OF D1ds
Senator Jones said:
we are q part OF the appointive
power. since we have to confirm these
nominations
In this Senator Phelan agreed. But
he suggested that tho law permits the
license of 800 saloons and permits the
licensing of saloons at places over 400
feet away from schools and churches
II that Is too large a number of saloons
and too near to schools, then Congress
should change the law.
Senator Phelan said that he did not
believe that a man should be con-
law. merely because some persons do
not like the law.
Mr.. Fishback told the committee of
many saloons near the Polk School, the
Technical High School and the Central
High School. declaring that the excise
board should not have granted licenses
in these cases, although he admitted
that the nearest saloon was 400 feet
or 403 feet from the Polk School
Gen. Smith then took the stand. He
said:
THE charges made against me are
very great. All these charges have
/ will submit to the committee
and put in the record. Mr. Fishbac ok
voices the sentiment which has spread
somewhat widely against the excise
board. 1 do not think that he is at
lacking me personally. There is moi
a single well substantiated case of
violation of the law by the excise
board which can be produced"
Method Of Measuring.
T. .r.v>r ~ a Due,tfon h.,