Evening star., 1940-07-26
Lake Restaurant
Witnesses Give
Varied Picture
G-Men's Statement
Not Yet Admitted
At A. B. c. Hearing

Hearings in the case of James j..
Lakes Gayety Restaurant on
charges Of violation of the District
Liquor Act are scheduled to be re-
sumed before the Alcoholic Bev-
erage Control Board tomorrow
morning, with a question pending
as to presentation of statements by
two special agents of the Justice
Department.
Revelation that the two G-men
had made an investigation pre-
sumably associated with the opera
ton of the place was made before
the A. B. C. Board late yesterday
as third Justice Department agent,
M. A. Taylor, offered signed state
ments from two co-workers.
James A. O'Shea, counsel for Mr..
Lake, challenged admissability of
the statements, saying he had no
opportunity to cross-examine the
G-men, who are absent from the
city. Mrs. Agnes K. Mason, vice
chairman of the board, who was
conducting the hearing said deci-
sion would have to be deferred.
The only reference as to what
might be in the Gmen's statement
was made by Mr.. Taylor when he
was examined as to the reputation
OF the Lake establishment. He said
1t was mot very good" that he had
had that idea for some years. but
he added. pointing to the two state
rnents in his files, However, it
wouldn't be fair to say that these
reports had not Influenced my
judgment to some degree
Sale to Minor Charged.
The Gayety Restaurant had been
cited by the board for alleged sale
OF drinks to minor, sale to an in
toxicated person, permitting a drunk
to stay on premises, bad faith and
permitting the place to be used for
immoral purposes. in rule to show
cause why his license should not be
revoked.
The board earlier had heard testi-
mony and denials as to alleged sales
to minor or sale to an intoxicated
person In four other Ninth street
licensed places. Charges against the
five had been made by the board
after Justice Proctor in District
Court. in dismissing a case before
him, suggested the need of investi-
cation of conditions in the area.
Conflicting testimony as to the
Gayety Restaurant was heard by
/ the board from II police officers and
Oman Taylor. Five of the police,
including Capt. Rhoda Milliken,
! head of the Police Womans Bureau,
said the reputation of the place as
to the presence of prostitutes was
bad and six others gave favorable
testimony, some of them praising
the manner in which they said Mr..
Lake had co-operated in enforce
ment of the law.
Other Cases Gifted.
Capt. sMilliken, over repeated OBJ
tections and exceptions taken by
i Mr.. O'Shea. told the board of three
cases in WHICH charges had been
made against persons at the Lake
establishment, one of these cases
being brought seven years ago. An
other was the pandering charge dis
missed by Justice Proctor recently
when he noted the District statutes
did not make the alleged offense a
crime under the circumstances cited.
Mr.. O'Shea brought out that one
OF the other cases referred to had
been ignored by the grand jury.
Capt. Milliken said the party in
this case, however. had admitted in
the presence of the United States
attorney he was guilty of the offense.
Capt. Milliken said she had OBJ
Jected to reissuance of the liquor
permit for the establishment of Mr..
Lake several years ago, but the
A. B c. Board had not called her
witnesses.
Policeman Robert G. Kirby said
he couldn't say truthfully any one
: had said anything to him definitely
against the establishment. Officer
John L. Sprague said he had found
the place had a very good record"
and had never had even anv COM
s. plants. Sergt. Ray Aggleson said
he had never had any complaints
and that he could not say prostitutes
frequented the place.
Offlcer John A. Burgess said he
had seen prostitutes in the place.
but added he had many times seen
reputable persons there. Policeman
Hubert w. Estes said the reputation
OF the Gayety Restaurant was no
worse than other Ninth street
places, that he had never made
prostitution arrests in the place, and
that Mr.. Lake always had cooper
ated" with him.
Vice Investigator Testifies.
Policeman Roy E. Blick, vice in
vestigator for the first precinct, said
he knew that prostitutes went to the
restaurant, "the same as to other
places; that he was solicited once
there himself, three or four years
ago, but that he had noted no dis
order there and that Mr.. Lake Co
operated 100 per cent" in law en-
forcement.
1t6SAiC w uAAOSlSOtCl ~.
1iceman, said he had observed So
licitations, sale to an intoxicated
person, had seen both men and
women there under the influence
OF liquor 80 much SO that they
would mutter and humble, and
sometimes would fall over you," and
that he had observed "bookies" tax
ing bets. He said he didn't know
what action his superiors had taken
on his reports.
Policeman Robert L. Fort said the
reputation was bad" but that he
had observed no violations of the
law there. Similar testimony came
from Policeman James E. Armstrong
and Robert Klotz.
Earlier yesterday, Attorney F..