Evening star., 1950-02-21
Probe May Be Seeking
Enough Evidence 10
Close Bottle Clubs
By Miriam Gutenberg and
J. Theodore Crown

congressional crime proberS
have gone beyond a general dis
cussion of after-hours clubs in
an effort to secure enough evi-
dence to close individual clubs, it
appeared today.
The clubs are being asked to
provide the House District Sub
committee with all records they
possess, to build up the probers'
contention that they are being
run as business projects rather
than non-proflt social clubs.
Supporting the idea that indi-
vidual clubs are the target OF the
investigators was an explanation
today from United States Attor-
ney George Morris Fay that he
had not filed suit against the
clubs earlier because he didn't
have the evidence.
The section of the District law
under which the clubs are char
tered provides that the prosecutor
can start civil proceedings against
them If their charters are abused
or misused.
Fay Asked for Evidence.
1t. Roy Blick, head of the vice
squad, has complained of waiting
for IA months to get advice from
Mr.. Fay's Office on the status of
the clubs.
Mr.. Fay said he told 1t. Blick
that if he could bring in enough
evidence that the club charters
were being Illegally used, Mr.. Fay
could proceed against them.
"We have no investigative
force" Mr.. Fay said. 1T is the
responsibility of Federal or Dis
trict investigative forces to bring
in the evidence"
Transcripts of the testimony Of
after-hours club operators before
the congressional investigators are
now being furnished daily to Mr..
Fay.
Another Session Today.
The subcommittee scheduled
another session with after-hours
club operators for 2 pm. today.
The members also were expected
to call police officers familiar with
the clubs.
Among those subpoenaed to ap-
pear this afternoon were Richard
O'Connell and Gene Augusterfer
of the Turf and Grid Club, 1900
block of Fourteenth street NV.
They were subpoenaed late last
night. One Sof the better known
clubs, the Turf and Grid is pa
tronized by sports figures and
businessmen.
Scheduled to make return ap-
pearance was Garrett Francis
Quinn, president and general
manager of the Atlas Club. This
club, located in the 1900 block of
Z street NV, has long been
patronized by some of the city's
leading business and professional
men.
Mr.. Quinn appeared yesterday,
but was quickly excused when he
explained he had not had time to
get all his records. He remained
on the witness stand long enough,
however, to say that he bought
the equipment and lease of the
club in 1916 for $4,000.
Highlights of Testimony. E
Some of the highlights of yes
terday's testimony included:
/. A statement that many mem
bers of Congress are given free
whisky at the State Crafters Club
in the 400 block of Third
street NV.
2. An explanation from the op-
orator of the United Nations So
cial Club that raiding vice squad
policemen were refused admission
to the club because they were nom
members. The club is located in
the HOO block of Eighteenth
street NV.
8. An admission from the pro-
prietor of the Acropolis Club in
the TOO block of Ninth street NV.
that he runs the place as busi-
ness, not a club.
4. Concessions from several of
the witnesses that they organized
their corporations with dummy
officers who took no part in club
affairs.
Seeks to Implicate Lawmakers.
Edward P. Meserole, who said
he promoted $4,000 in cash from
other people to start the Stage
Crafters' Club, was the one who
testified to "free-loading" by
members of Congress.
Mr.. Meserole was insisting that
the purchases of whisky showing
up in his records was for give
away purposes.
You'd be surprised how many
Congressman get up there who
get 1t (whisky) for nothing" Mr..
Meserole testified with a friendly
grin.
Right in this room right now
are people who come there and
free load" he went on.
Turning to Special Counsel Hy-
man I. F1schbach OF the subcom-
mittee, he quickly added, You're
invited"
Chairman Asks Question.
When the witness had finished
his testimony, Representative
league, Democrat, of Texas, the
acting chairman said he had one
question. He wanted to know If
any member of the subcommittee
had been given free whisky at
the club.
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