Evening star., 1940-07-28
Lake Quiz Seeks
Testimony From
Justice Agent
Hearing Recessed to
September a by
A. B. 6. Board

Announcement that another effort
would be made to bring a special
agent of the Justice Department to
Washington for testimony at Alco-
holic Beverage Control Board hear
lngs on charges against James J.
Lakes Gayety Restaurant was made
yesterday. Hearings were recessed
until September 4.
The agent, Charles Lanman, was
one OF two investigators who are
said to have taken signed state
ment from waiter which was
presented to District Court in
pandering case heard by Justice
Proctor. That case was dismissed
because it was found the alleged
offense was not covered by the stat
utes and a directed verdict of ac-
quittal was ordered
Over the objections of Myron
Ehrlich, counsel for the waiter. and
James A. OShea, counsel for Mr..
Lake, the board admitted as evi-
dence the statement which Tie
waiter had identified. However,
both the waiter and his attorney
declared the statement did not in
Clude the waters explanation of
why he had accepted dollar from
a 17-year-old Virginia high school
girl witness in the pandering case.
Summons Declared Necessary.
Both Mr.. OShea and Mr.. Ehrlich
protested they had no opportunity
30 cross examine the Federal agents.
Mrs. Agnes K. Mason, vice chair
man of the board, who is conduct
ing the hearing, said it was neces-
saly>. that one of the agents be
brought here for testimony.
Another agent, M. A. Taylor, who
has testified in the A. B. c. case,
has expressed doubt that either of
his co-workers could be brought
here, except under summons from
District Court. However, Mrs.
Mason said new request would be
made to Director j. Edgar Hoover
of the Federal Bureau of Investi-
cation.
Earlier. the waiter had declared
the Virginia girl had gone to the
restaurant. told him she was broke,
and that he had bought her sand
wiches and a soft drink, and that
the dollar was payment for this,
plus change she left for him as
a tip.
The waiter and three other de-
tense witnesses denied the state
ment Of the Virginia girl that she
had been sold alcoholic beverages
there.
Additional conflicting testimony
as to the reputation of the res
taurant also was taken by the board.
Policemen Thomas c. Sullivan.
Richard E. Meissner and Randolph
l.. Dunn said the restaurant repu-
tation was bad but under de-
fense questioning all agreed they
had had no occasion to arrest any
women in the restaurant. Pvt.
Sullivan said he had arrested a
drunker sailor there but was told
the man had been refused drinks
because he was intoxicated
Stage Electrician Testifies.
Joseph R. Gross of 1921 Dent place
NV. stage electrician. told the
board he had been solicited in the
Lake establishment. in the down.
stairs grill by the Virginia girl, but
that he had refused her request
that he buy her a drink. II told
her that if Mr.. Lake saw her there.
he would throw her through the
door" He added that the waiter
later refused to sell her any drinks
because she was minor.
Mr. Erhlich. who was called as
witness for the defense, recited
testimony he said had been given
by the Virginia girl in District
Court in move to show it was
different from her testimony before
the A. B. c. Board. The defense
has challenged the credibility of
the girl witness In the court case
Mr.. Ehrlich said, the cir! had
testified she did not get any alcholic
drinks in the Lake restaurant.