Evening star., 1933-04-08
1,100 Applications Filed, but
Only 321 Are Granted
to Sell Beverage.
LEGAL QUESTIONS RAISED
ON LOCAL REGULATIONS
Bride Issues Warning Against Vio-
decentralization Of "Table"
May Bring Court Action.

The rush Of applicants for licenses TO
sell beer in the District continued with
out the slightest let-up today as 1,100
applications had been filed by 10 o'clock
and only 321 permits had been ap-
proved.
In an effort to speed up the slow
trickle of permits, new system was
devised by the Beverage Permit Board,
which stationed cricrs around strategic
points in the District Building to shout
out the names of these who had
turned in applications which were faulty
as to minor points. These applicants
then were taken direct to the board
and given a chance to straighten out
their applications.
Previously the faulty applications
were handed to policemen to take back
to the applicants place Of business, and
many of the applicants, not knowing
of this, had been milling around the
District Building corridors for two days
while their applications were back at
their Offices.
Doubtful Points Raised.
In a further effort to get caught up
with the large number of pending ap-
plications, Corporation Counsel William
w. Bride today turned over the entire
personnel of his Office to the Permit
Board to scan the applications.
Already doubtful points as to the
Interpretation of the act and the regu-
lations adopted under it have begun to
the Beverage Board expect will find
thoir into fHa courts SbOrtlV
One of them centers around the
legal definition of the word table"
Under the act, "on sale" licenses may
serve beverages at tables. The Beverage
Board Is now of the opinion that this
would not include a bar at which the
patrons stand, although there is some
doubt as to whether this would not
legally qualify as a table, particularly
where 1t Is used as a place on which
to serve food. There is considerable
doubt as to what would happen If one
OF the establishments should substitute
very long table for its bar, but still
leave it without seats.
The first application for q permit
to sell beer on Government property
came today from the Army War Col
1ege. Authorities at the War College
asked for an ION sale" permit for the
officers mess and also for an "off sale"
permit for the post exchange.
The rush of applicants tor licenses
yesterday added approximately $4,000
to the $4,000 paid the day before for
temporary permits. In each case, those
who paid their money stand the chance
of having the Commissioners refuse to
issue them a permanent license after
Police Department check-up on the
establishment. This investigation will
not be undertaken, however, until the
present rush Of applicants has died
down.
Violations Reported
The first day of beer sales yesterday
brought reports to the Commissioners
of many violations of the law, particu-
1arly selling beer to minors and selling
beer across bars. Under the act the
sales at ION sale" establishments are
limited to sales at tables. Yesterday,
however, perhaps largely owing to the
tremendous crush of customers at all
licensed establishments, beer was being
served to standing crowds, all tables
at most places being occupied and most
Of the floor space being filled with
standing customers. At some Of the
downtown establishments, toward the
noon hour, there were lines Of customers
waiting outside in the street for a
chance to get In.
The Commissioners promptly notified
Corporation Counsel William w. Bride,
and at their direction he issued state
ment calling the attention of the per-
mittees to the fact that their present
licenses are temporary, and revocable
at the pleasure Of the Commissioners
without hearing Wherever there Is
proof that violations are taking place,
the statement said, the permits would
be revoked, and then it would be very
difficult for the permittees to secure
permanent licenses.
The penalty prescribed in the act
for violations is a fine of $500, Jail
sentence Of six months, or both.
Brides Statement.
Mr.. Brides statement said:
numerous reports have come to the
District authorities that many and
serious violations of beverage permits
are occurring. The police have been
instructed to watch very carefully for
violations. I am instructed by the
Board Of Commissioners to notify per-
mittees that temporary permits which
they have are subject to revocation
without further hearing. In case vio-
lations are reported and proven, tenn
porary permits will Immediately be
Withdrawn and it then will be extremely
difficult for permanent licenses to be
issued to violators
The Commissioners desire this to be
called to the attention Of every licensee."
Working until o'clock last night,
the Beverage Permits Board had issued
32l licenses. Slightly under 1000
applications have been filed, but the
board moved slowly because of the large
number of errors and omissions of
applicants filling out the 80 questions
IN the eight-page application blanks
Very few Of the applications were
finally denied. but most of them were
turned back to the applicant for cor
recttons.