Evening star., 1940-02-08
Rossiter Plea
Is Taken Under
Amusement
Liquor License
Arguments Closed
Before A. B. C..

Inc AlcOnOnc control Board today
took under advisement the contro-
versial case of Leo j. Rossiter's ap-
plication for renewal of a class C
liquor license at 4132 Georgia ave-
hue NV.
Three$ days of hearings ended
shortly before II am. as Ernest F..
Henry, of the Petworth Citizens
Association, representing the oppo-
sition, and Albert Levin, repre-
senting Mr.. Rossiter, presented their
closing arguments.
Decision in the case, which
prompted organization of congress
sional investigation into the prac-
tlces of the board, is not expected
for several days, as William P. Mere
dith, new member of the board, said
he intended to give very thorough
consideration to the record.
The hearing was held for the
benefit of Mr.. Meredith after the
other two members of the board
split and Mr.. Meredith's predecessor
died before casting his vote.
Pressure From Capitol Charged.
Pressure from the Capitol was
mentioned by Mr. Henry, who, how
ever, expressed the opinion that
pressure is not going to do this
applicant any good"
Though admitting there was
nothing in Mr.. Rossiter's past record
to disqualify him from having a
Glass c license, Mr. Henry said, I'VE
know he's no angel"
That's unfair" Immediately OBJ
tected Mr.. Levin.
who is an angelo asked Mrs.
Agnes K. Mason, a member of the
board, who previously voted for the
renewal. Are you, Mr.. Henry?"
mot at all" replied the lawyer.
Levin Presents Arguments.
Chairman Thomas E. Lodge said
the point was wholly immaterial.
Mr.. Lodge previously voted against
the renewal.
Mr.. Levin told the board that
Mr.. Rossiter always catered only to
adults and would not permit chill
dren to patroniZe his restaurant.
He cited an opinion by Corporation
Counsel Elwood Seal which he saio
made renewal almost automatic in a
case where a license is granted
and the premises is properly con-
Quoted and If there are no material
changes in the neighborhood.
The opposition based it's argu-
ments on the grounds that Mr..
Rossiter's place is too near a school
center and that the sentiment of
the inhabitants of the area is pre-
dominantly dry.
Rossiter Testifies.
Mr.. Rossiter, testifying in his own
behalf yesterday, told the board that
in anticipation of renewal of his
he had planned to spend total of
$31, ,460 in remodeling his business
establishment.
He said he already had started
the alteration program, which in
cluded enlargement of the kitchen,
dining room and basement at total
cost of $13,960, and had contracted
to buy $17,5O0 worth of fixtures for
his establishment.
Mr.. Henry wanted to know wheth-
er he had consulted civic groups in
his section before he planned the
improvements to his restaurant. Mr..
Rossiter replied: NO, certainly not.
They don't have any authority over
me-"
Distance Questioned.
Mr.. Henry then wanted to know
If the extension to Mr.. Rossiter's
restaurant wouldn't make the es-
tablishment so feet closer to Mac
farland Junior High School.
''It's hard to be patient with you,
Mr.. Henry" Mr.. Rossiter countered.
How could it be so feet closer when
It's in the same building?"
Mr.. Rossiter, who formerly had
license to sell beer and light wine,
testified that he had enjoyed in
creased patronage and that the av-
erage check was higher while he
had his class c license during the
last year. He told the board, how
ever. that his patrons spent twice
as much on food as they did on
drinks,