Evening star., 1939-12-12
Citizens Protest
Liquor License
In Takoma Park
Petition Presented
Signed by 740
Adult Residents

SI9neo Dy /4V
Adult Residents
Civic and church leaders and
property owners. supported by Sen
ator Frazier, Republican, Of North
Dakota, waged a determined fight
today at a hearing before the AL
coholic Beverage Control Board
against the application by Samuel
B. Newman for a license to sell
bottled liquor goods at 315 Cedar
street NV, Takoma, D. c.
The argument was reminiscent Of
many previous battles by residents
of Takoma Park to keep the sale of
liquor out of the community, which
has been dry since its development
was started, except that several Off
sale beer permits have been ap-
proved.
Senator Frazier, who resides at
6629 First street NV. and who has
been resident of the Takoma area
since 1923, told the board: "Citizens
of Takoma Park have taken an ac-
tive and determined stand on the
prohibition question and want to
keep the community free from
liquor.
These people are very serious
and conscientious. and I urge the
board to take particular considera-
ton of their views as expressed
by the long petition they offer in
opposition to this application. The
community is nearly 100 per cent
opposed to the sale of liquor. and I
am 100 per cent with these people"
Petition Opposes Permit.
Walter Trey, secretary of the Ia
koma Park Citizens Association,
which includes residents of both
Maryland and the District, pre-
sented a petition in opposition to
the proposed permit, which he said
was signed by TAO adult residents
of the section. The petition was
prepared by group including David
T. Blose, chairman; Reed F. Mar
tin. Mrs Blose and Mr.. Trey. The
committees statement declared:
The people of Takoma Park re-
peatedly have demonstrated their
desire for a dry community, and in
presenting the present protest it is
respectfully requested that Takoma
Park be declared dry area"
Among those who registered their
opposition to the granting Of the
permit, either by letter or personal
appearance, were w. c. Magathan
DR.. William L. Darby, secretary OF
the Washington Federation OF
Churches, who said he spoke par
ticularly for churches in the Ia
koma section affiliated with the
federation; Jesse c. Suter, speak
ing for the Citizens Association OF
Takoma, D. c.; Ernest r. Bryan
for the Takoma Park Christian
Church; John w. MacNeil, presi-
dent of the Potomac Conference OF
Seventh-day Adventists; L. w
Graham, secretary of the Review
and Herald Publishing Association
B. G. Wilkinson. president of the
Washington Missionary College, anc
Elizabeth O'Hara, principal of the
Takoma, D. c., school,
Objection Is Sustained.
The applicant was represented by
Attorney Louis M. 'Tulman, who re-
peatedly asked opposition witnesses
If they felt liquor store on Georgia
avenue had worked harm to the
morals of residents of Takoma Park
Mr.. Magathan objected to the ques-
ton and was upheld several times
by Thomas E. Lodge, chairman of
the board. Mr.. Magathan brought
out that residents of Takoma like
wise had protested against the
granting of the liquor license to
the Georgia avenue store but that
the board had held that since
Georgia avenue was main highway
to outlying areas, it could, not be
considered only as affecting the Ia
koma community. Mr.. Magathan
also argued that since in another
case the board had held that the
Takoma residential section should
be considered as one area, in the
case OF an application for permit,
the onus was on the applicant to
prove there had been change in
the sentiments of the community.
Mr.. Martin reported that the Ia
koma Park Citizens Association had
voted unanimously last month in
opposition to the application ano
when Attorney Tulman insisted that
he give reasons, the witness declared
that Takoma had always been dry
and the residents wanted it to stay
that way.
Mr.. Tulman made point that at
q meeting of the citizens body only
some Al persons were present ou,
of about 400 members, or about 1C
per cent.
Citizens leaders emphasized that
IN one previous case they obtained
a petition signed by some 1,4O0 per-
sons in opposition to a liquor appli-
cant and that a longer list than the
one presented today could have beer
obtained. They insisted that the
great majority of Takoma resident.
still were firmly opposed to the
granting of liquor license in the
area.
Officials of the board said they
would take some time to consider
the facts in the case before render.
ing a decision.