Evening star., 1935-10-22
ANTECR|ME DRIVE
of CHURCHES AIMS
.ATGAMb[|NGLAWS
Federation Presents Six
Point Improvement Pro-
gram to Senator King.
EFFECTIVE DEALING
WITH DRUNKS URGED
Revamping of System of Dispens'
ing Liquor and Enlarged Po-
lice Court Also Asked.

Ilgntenlng up Oh LIle gdnlUliIIs idNS
of the District, more effective
method of treating hebitual drunk
ards and revamping of the system OF
dispensing liquor were included In
six-point improvement program out
lined last night by the Civic Affairs
Committee of the Washington Fed
Grafton of Churches in letter to
Chairman King of the Senate District
Committee.
The other three subjects dealt with
were need for more adequate housing
space for Police Court, additional
nurses at Gallinger Hospital and ia
cilities for segregating young Offend
ers from hardened criminals at the
Lorton Reformatory.
In his letter to Senator King, Wilbur
La Roe. jr.. chairman Of the Civic
Affairs Committee, recalled that leg
islation aimed at the gambling evil
has passed the Senate twice. but on
both occasions it has been blocked by
the Judiciary Subcommittee OF the
District Committee of the House of
Representatives
Stresses shameful Condition"
Evidence seems to indicate the So
called numbers racket is flourishing
here and that the authorities are to
some extent helpless because Of the
inadequacy Of existing law. Mr.. La
Roe wrote Failure of the additional
legislation to pass has created a
shameful condition" Mr. La Roe
stated. adding, Every effort to in
duce the Judiciary Subcommittee to
act has proved unavailing."
Senator King had the anti-gambling
bill approved by the Senate carly in
the last session and it will be pending
In the House subcommittee when
Congress reconvenes.
The number of arrests for drunk
enness lis very large lover 1900 per
month";" and includes many re
peaters," the letter stated. Pointing
out that medical treatment is more
effective than short jail sentences. Mr.
La Roe said there is need for farm
sanitarium for inebriates. He sug-
gested that farm land is available
| near the Lorton Reformatory, if an
| appropriation could be obtained for
/ facilities and operating costs.
Discusses Liquor Control.
Discussing operation of the local
alcoholic beverage control law, Mr..
La Roe wrote:
1T is respectfully submitted that
there is room for substantial improve
ment in the sale of liquor in the Dis
trict The dispensing of liquor Ii
censes has been little less than promis-
cuous. In its recent annual report to
the Commissioners the Alcohol Bev-
erage Control Board said: Until re-
Gently the board has been exceedingly
liberal in the granting of licenses and
/ lust as liberal in revoking them.
The board relied upon the prospective
licensee using judgment to select a
location which would permit him 10
run a profitable business. The
board further had in mind the fact
. that a very considerable advantage
would be gained in giving every one
who desired to go into business an
opportunity to do so. The result has
fully justified what has been done
This leaves much to be desired 1t
shows that the boards criterion has
been the financial success Of the liquor
seller with little thought for the pro-
/ lection of the community. We now
have zoos places where bottled liquor
( is sold and 1872 places where liquor is
sold for consumption on the premises.
In the later days of the saloon there
/ was a maximum of 300 saloons in tie
District. this maximum having been
| fixed by the statute. There is needed
a complete revamping of our system
Of dispensing liquor. with emphasis on
protecting the public interest by re-
stricting licenses to those thoroughly
qualified and by restricting locations
| in such a way as to protect the CON-
munity and to prevent the sale of
liquor in places frequented by young
people -
Appreciation Expressed.
Mr.. La Roe expressed appreciation
for the interest Senator King already
has shown in trying to obtain new
building for the police tribunal and
other minor courts. The Senator's
present intention is to seek the neces-
sary appropriation in the first de-
ficiency bill taken up in January.
The Civic Affairs Committee has
been told Gallinger Hospital has an
insufficient number of nurses. AT
least 20 more graduate nurses are
said to be urgently needed" the COM
mittee wrote, suggesting that a special
study of the matter would seem to be
warranted.
Discussing the needs of the Lorton
Reformatory, Mr.. La Roe told the
Senator the institution was construct
ed and intended as a reformatory for
young prisoners. but that solely be-
cause of the lack of facilities. it has
degenerated largely into penitentiary
for hardened criminals. Nevertheless,
the young offenders are also sent there
and permitted to mingle with the
hardened criminals. This is not only
undesirable, but a dangerous condition
and no argument is needed to show
| that il Shollld be corrected at the