Evening star., 1934-03-05
BOYCOTT H|NTED
IN LICENSE FIGHT
Only Weapon, Says Dir. ST.
zoo, After Protest of
Church Fails.

A declaration of his stand and the
attitude of his church on its lost
protest against the issuance of
liquor sale license to Child's Restau-
rant at 1340 New York avenue was
read by DR.. Joseph R. Sizoo. pastor
of the New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church, to his congregation yesterday
morning.
The statement sets forth Dr. Sizoos
contention that it was obviously the
spirit of the law that no liquor should
be sold within a radius cf 400 feet of
a school or church" He advocated q
boycott Of the restaurant as the
church's only weapon, and said that
he, for one, cannot again patronize
that business enterprise which tacitly:
denies and dehes the right of the
Christian church" -
DR.. Sizoo's statement follows IN
full:
With the full approval and knowl-
edge of the session of this church,
want to make a statement. That
there may never be any occasion of
misunderstanding or misinformation,
desire to read it that it may be
matter of record.
Considerable publicity has been
given-publicity which we did not
ask, but rather sought to avoid-in
reference to protest registered by
this church to the Alcoholic Beverage
Commission in granting a license for
the sale of liquor to Child's Restau-
rant, 1910 New York avenue, directly
opposite this church.
I'VE made the protest in the belief
and conviction that the law gave us
that opportunity and right. 1t was
beyond all question the intent of the
law that no liquor should be sold
within radius of 400 feet of a school
or church. The place of business
against which we protested is ap-
proximately IT'S feet from our church
1t was also the intent of the law that
discretion in the issuance Of all licenses
for the sale of liquor be vested in the
Alcoholic Beverage Commission The
commission had in its power to decide
in favor of the church, but, for reasons
best known to itself, decided against
the church, and the protest was de-
MED.
1T is not a question of selling liquor
which we protested. That is now the
law of the land and also the law of the
District of Columbia. 1t was simply
the matter of selling liquor within the
restricted area which we protested. 1t
was not an unreasonable protest. The
law implied We had the right to reg
lister it.
"A blow has been struck this week
that will make the work Of the church
increasingly difficult, and for one
resent it. Organized religious enter
prises seem to get but scant con-
sideration. In the heart of this city
churches are increasingly regarded as
a hindrance and inconvenience. 1t is
rather anomalous that everybody's
rights seem to be protected except
the rights CT religious institutions-in-
deed the church seems to have no
rights In two-page reply the COM
mission suggests that we have re-
dress to Congress, but, of course,
have not lost my sense of humor as yet.
The church has lost its protest and
the issue is settled. What else can We
do in a day when men ask only the
question, Does it pay?' We can with
hold patronage from such an enter
prise. That is our only weapon. /
for one, cannot again patronize that
business enterprise which tacitly de-
nies and defles the right of the
Christian church. If the forces of
IL would
seem reasonable that those who love
the church also stand together. We
will carry on, do not fear. We will
continue our ministry of compassion
and redemption through the cross of
Christ however much more difficult
government makes that work.
There is no bitterness in this state
ment, and there is not one scintilla OF
hate in my heart. I hope no one will
think me capable of any such bitter
ness and bigotry. Nor is there any at
tempt to withhold from any one per-
sonal freedom and personal liberty.
1t is not our purpose to tell any one
what he shall do. am confident no
one will care to and need patronize
business which hinders and hurts a
church we love. I am left bewildered
by and 1 desperately regret the deci-
sion of the new Alcoholic Beverage
Commission and I resent the sale OF
LIQUOR by Child's Restaurant within
the prescribed zone from which the
spirit of the law intended it should be
banished.
Because of my deep-seated and
quenchless love Of and honor for the
church of Christ, make this state
ment Of protest and record my convic-