Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-10
Premises Valued at 1894, 900.
Are Now Shut by Dry
Procedure.
OWNERS OF PROPERTY
ARE WARNED BY SURVEY
Current Business Review Complies
Data From Offices of Prosecutor
and District Tax Assessor.

Institution Of paddock proceedings in
the Governments efforts to make the
National Capital dry have placed So
properties in Washington, having a to-
tai assessed value of $1,000 900, under
the cloud OF prosecution at the present
time, it was disclosed today.
Eighteen different local properties,
having an assessed value totaling 1884,
600, now are under paddock as a result
of proceedings successfully carried
through local courts.
In addition there are paddock cases
pending and awaiting trial involving 20
pieces of property here, having an as
seSsed value totaling $915,000, bringing
the total District Government assessed
value of properties now padlocked or
definitely threatened with enforced
closing to $4,000
This data was revealed in the Wash
ingto-- Current Business Review of
Rufus S. Lusk, Inc, in which appear
the results of survey of the effects of
padlocking on local property owners.
The study, Mr.. Lush said, was de-
signed in nowise as an argument either
for or against prohibition or the present
methods of enforcing the prohibition
laws, but rather as mere statement Of
facts concerning T. losses to property
owners from paddock rulings as warn
ing to landlords to be aware of the
activities of tenants for which they
may have to suffer
Sources of Information.
The data were compiled by Mr.. Lusk
with the assistance of the Office Of
United States Attorney Leo A. Rover,
and contained information gathered
from the prosecutors Office and from
the Office of District Tax Assessor Will
liam P. Richards
In the Current Business Review,
which was today received by local reals
tors, financiers and other business in-
terests, Mr.. Lusk said: This informa-
ton is compiled in order that property
owners may realize the danger they run
in renting property today to tenants
whose character and activities have not
been fully Investigated"
Only current paddock cases we're in
Guided in the study. 1t was found in
the survey that on September 3 last
there were 10 different pieces of prop
erty under paddock after it was found
by court that violations of the prohibi-
tion act had been committed on these
premises.
The review states that there are pad
lock cases pending against 40 pieces OF
property. I'm this latter classical
tion," the review adds, ARE two or
three properties where the proceeding
is not against the entire building, hat
against either the first or second floor
only.
THE loss that property owners are
now suffering by reason of padlocking
of property is about $4,000 a year. If
it be assumed that property will rent
for 10 per cent gross of the assessed
value.
This is more than the cost of en-
forcing prohibition in this area tout
of public fundS). The Department OF
Justice in a release made September
stated that cents per inhabitant, or
$34, 900 per annum, was being spent out
of public funds to enforce prohibition
in the district of which Washington is
a pa
Others to Be PadlOcked.
"The district attorneys Office does
not institute paddock proceedings until
it has an 'open-and-shut' case, SO that
cases now pending probably will result
in the padlocking of additional prop
erty here. The district attorney has
stated in the press that ne WISHES 10
proceed against these properties imme-
diately upon the converting of the Fall
term of court. Should all the proper
ties be padlocked against which cases
now are pending, certain property own
ers in Washington may be contributing
something more 4hsn 500, 900 a year in
lost rents to aid in the enforcing Of
prohibition.
ut is the custom o. the district at
torneys office the survey report con-
tinueS, although it is not required by
law, to advise property owners that It
may start paddock proceedings on ac-
count of the alleged violation of liquor
laws.
properties now under paddock are
scattered all over the CITY, even IN
Chevy Chase, west of Sixteenth street
near Park road, and close to Dupont
Circle. The District Attorney does this
except where the violations are so
fragrant that it is not necessary tc show
property owners this courtesy.
I'm the cases against which action
will be taken this Fall there are three
CONTINUED on Page 2, Column a.