Evening star., 1940-02-20
BY JAMES E. CHINN.


Ralph A. Lee, whose license
to sell liquor by the drink at
a restaurant near the River
side Stadium was issued yesterday
by the Alcoholic Beverage Control
Board after having once been re-
fused, admitted today to special in
vestigating subcommittee of the
House District Committee that he
had been approached" by three or
four persons who told him they
could help him procure a license.
He said, however, he did not believe
any Of them were connected with the
liquor business.
Mr.. Lee did not identify those
who he said had approached" him,
nor was he asked to do so.
Representative Shafer, Republican,
Of Michigan, asked the witness II
he was satisfied with the way the
A. B. c. Board had worked out his
problem.
Would Get Him Involved.
THAT question will get me in
volved," he answered. TOO many
people had their hands in working
this thing out"
This idea Of coming up here and
whitewashing this thing before this
subcommittee should not be per-
mitted." Mr.. Shafer said.
Decision was reached by the sub
committee in executive session to
go ahead with its original program
for two more public hearings this
week-one tomorrow and the other
Friday-after which it will review
the testimony and map the future
course of the inquiry. Indications
are the House will be asked to make
an appropriation out of its contin-
gent fund to finance the investiga-
ton If 1t is decided to dig deeper
into the liquor situation.
The House last year appropriated
$4,000 out Of its contingent fund to
finance the milk investigation, but
nearly half Of this amount was re-
turned.
Objections Overruled.
Before Mr.. Lee took the witness
stand A. e. Demaray, associate d.
rector Of the National Park Service,
told the subcommittee his agency's
objections to granting the license
had been overruled by Undersecre-
tary of the Interior Wirtz. He said,
however, none of the original objec-
tions had been removed prior to
granting the license.
The National Park Service, accord.
Ing to George E. Clark, protested
issuance of the license on the ground
that the restaurant, located at 2622
E street NV, is too close to Po-
tomac Park and "unsightly" neon
signs might be used.
w, E. Reynolds, commissioner of
public buildings, testified he opposed
granting of the permit because the
restaurant is located on the pro-
posed site of the new Navy Depart
ment Building and he wanted to pro-
tect the interests of the Federal Gov
ernmeht.
Mr.. Lee admitted that prior to the
action of Mr.. Wirtz, he had confer
red with the undersecretary and that
perhaps some Of his representatives
may have had telephone conversa-
tions with him.
Il have always contended we were
right and now since the A. B. c.
Board had granted the license" said
Mr.. Lee, II feel that the board thinks
we were right"
Agreement With Owner.
Chairman Eberharter Of the sub
committee asked the witness the
conditions attending the granting Ct
the license
None other than we adhere to
the rules and regulations of the
board" he replied.
Mr.. Lee, however, added he had
an agreement with the owner Of the
property that he would vacate on
30-day notice by the Federal Gov
ernment and that the Government
would be released from any claims
for improvements after February /.
Mr.. Lee also declared he did not
believe the Interior Departments
original objection to granting OF the
license was valid"
Asked If he Is satisfied now, he
replied:
Eyes"
Representative Schultz, Demo-
crat, Of Indiana drew from Mr.. Lee
the admission he had been ZAP
preached"
When the witnes first said he
imagined he had been, Mr.. Schultz
warned:
Il don't want you to be evasive." I"
Finally, Mr.. Lee said he had been
approached by the three or four
persons who told me they could
get me liquor license"
As Mr.. Lee was excused from the
(0nA YT0YT0p DoOn "a