Evening star., 1940-03-06

been considerable criticism of COM
bination stores-those that handle
liquor as a side line. Most of that
is ill-founded," he declared.
Discussing proposals for a re-
duction in the number of stores that
sell liquor by the bottle, Mr.. Sart-
well said that in 1893, when the
population Of the District was about
third of the present population,
there were 1,100 saloons in existence.
Now, with population of nearly
100000, he said there are 1900
places in which liquor can be pur-
chased.
And" the witness remarked,
there were more than 1000
speakeasies in Washington during
prohibition"
Mr.. Sartwell declared "a great
many loose charges" have been made
about the liquor situation. AS one
Illustration he cited an article which
he said appeared in a publication
of the Council Of Social Agencies
which charged that high school STU
dents were using dope" and carried
whisky bottles in their pockets or
hid them in school lockers.
The police made an investigation
of those charges" he declared, "and
were unable to find a scintilla of
evidence to support them
Subsequently, Mr.. Sartwell be-
popno rrifioo1 nf porfoiv,
of the investigating committee
whom he did not mention by name.
Some of the questions asked by
some of the members of this COM
mittee have been unfair" he de-
clared.
The implication yesterday, for
instance, that wholesalers control
the A. B. c. Board is utterly absurd.
THE wholesalers couldn't control
the board if they wanted to-"
Representative Hunter explained
number of witnesses had told the
committee in executive session they
had evidence of sales to minors and
that these people did not want to
testify in public hearing because
they did not care to involve their
children
1--WE have had testimony before
this committee in executive session
that certain people fear your organ
ization," said Representative Hun
ter.
Il feel f1attered that any one fears
our organization" replied Mr.. Sart-
well.
The witness afterwards told the
committee "antagonism" of certain
groups had been aroused by the
action of the A. B. c. Board in
granting licenses in neighborhoods
where liquor stores were not wanted
To curb these protests, he ex.
planned the Alcoholic Beverage
Council had adopted a policy OF
urging that the wishes of residents
in areas affected should be the
governing factor in the issuance ano
transfer of liquor licenses.
Most of the complaints made tc
this committee" said Mr.. Sartwell
could be handled by the Commits
| oAO1ANAo ~ uAAC WOA1N
adopt some regulations"
Mr.. Sartwell registered vigorous
opposition to proposals for a dis.
pensary system.
Representative Hunter said as 9
member of the Ohio State Legisla-
ture he had opposed establishment
of the dispensary system in that
State, but had observed it is work.
ing better" than the private license
system in the District.
Mr.. Sartwell said 5000 liquor stor'
employees would lose their jobs if th'
dispensary system were adopted il
the District.
The committee will resume tn,
investigation tomorrow at 10 am
The principal witnesses will be Maj
Ernest w. Brown, superintendent o
police, and 1t. Earl Hartman, II
command of the Detective Burea,
vice squad, whose men are enforcing
| thA q - At