Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-02
|CAFE DEFENDED
IN DRY INQUIRY
Witnesses Say Little Drink
inu Was in Evidence at
lie ParadiS.

Eugene Fry. a realty broker, testified
before Justice Charles 8. Hatfield in
Equity Division 2 that foreign diplo-
mats brought liquor to the lie Paradis
Cafe when giving parties for their
friends and that the contents of these
bottles were poured into "set-ups" fur
niShed by the management. Called by
the defense he corroborated the state
menr of one of the government wit
neSseS that diplomatic immunity had
made difficulties not only for prohibition
agents but also for cafe managers to
tel who Is entitled TO its use and who
is not so entitled.
On croSs-eXamination by Assistant
United States Attorney circuit. the wit
ness was asked to name the hosts at
the diplomatic parties. which he had
attended, but his memory failed him.
Mai. Browning Testifies.
Maj William L. Browning. member
of the bar and vice president of the
Mayfcwer Hotel Co.. told of several
visits to the cafe and could recall only
one incident when he saw man sur
reptitously pour something from a
private flask. He did not see the color
Of the liquid because the man held the
flask and glass below the table. The
witness considered the cafe place of
refinement to which men and women
Of the highest standing attended He
never heard anything boisterous. he
said. and never saw any one intoxicated.
On CloSs-eXamination he said he knew
Never Davis in a business way and had
recommended him for the music
privilege at the Mayfiower. but the
manager had brought a man from New
York
Austin Garfield also a member of
the bar. told of visiting the cafe on an
average of twice q week for the past
five years. He never saw any one
drunk. but had seen pourings from
private TASKS under the table. He told
Of seeing persons excluded from the
cafe when seeming to be drunk.
Building Owner on Stand.
Arthur Reilly, a chemist. called by
the defense, said one cannot tell from
mere taste and smell whether a fluid
conts:ns more than the legal quantity
of alcohol. Asked to smell bottle sup
posed to be "cawn." he said it had
some of the odor Of corn. but would
not swear it was corn whisky. A small
quantity of new rye" was tested by
the witness. but he declined tn give q
proft sSional opinion that it was whisky.
Howe Totten. owner Of the building,
said he had been told Of complaints
by the prohibition unit and with a
friend visited the cafe. He saw no dis
order and considered the place was
well conducted and was patronized by
the incest people. Inquiries from other
friends visiting the place elected the
same reputation for lie Paradis, he
said
Il was surprised" said Mr.. Totten,
Ito find that the flapper was missing
and that the younger set was in the
minority. All the patrons were very
distinctly nice people and I saw no
evidence Of drinking nor did see any
one intoxicated"
Never Saw Bottle in Cafe.
William Kehl. head waiter at lie
Paradis for i've years. told the court
that he had never seen whisky bottle
at the cafe. As often as once or twice
q month. he said. walters would re-
port that some patron had a bottle
and he would Immediately put the
party under surveillance, but was never
able to catch the users Of the bottle.
His instructions from the management.
he said. were TO stop any one seen with
tntoxicants and not to permit It's being
consumed at the cafe.
Testimony by policewomen that
walters told them thata barrels OF
bottles were gathere UP after the cafe
closed was explained by the defense
TO have been bottles Of every descrip-
ton. including the various brands OF
ginger ale and other non-intoxicants
sold there.