Evening star., 1953-02-12
Two Bottle Clubs
Closed by lnjunctions
In After-Hours War
By ChorIes 6. Brooks

Two after-hours clubs have
shut down in the local war
against the illegally run estab-
lishmentS, one permanently and
one at least temporarily.
Federal Court Judge r. Dick
inSon Let's issued an order yes
terday granting a preliminary
injunction expected to force the
Picadilly Social Club, 1901 Four
teenth street NV, out Of busi-
ness until a civil suit to revoke
it's charter has been acted on by
the court.
A permanent injunction was
issued at the same time closing
the Downtown Club, 606 e street
NV. In both cases, Judge Let's
ordered the Government to
recommend receivers to be ap-
pointed by the U. s. District
Court for the District of Co
lumbia to handle the affairs Of
the two clubs and prevent any
debts from being paid or col
lected
! Virtual Close Order.
The wording Of the injunc-
tions. according to Assistant
United States Attorney Hugh j.
MCGEE, means, in effect, that
the clubs must completely cease
operations.
The Downtown Club injunc-
tion ended Government action
against the bottle club unless
defense attorney Charles E. Ford
decides to take the case to the
u. S. Court Of Appeals for the
District Of Columbia.
Mr.. MCGEE and Mr.. Ford
agreed in court yesterday to the
action after Judge Let's had
previously turned down a mo-
tion to dismiss the Governments
case against the club. MIR. Ford
said he may appeal the judges
action and declared the court
lacks the authority under the
District Code to act in the
matter.
Mr.. Ford pointed out that the
Downtown Club has q Virginia
charter.
Judge Let's ordered the Plea
dilly to put up $4,000 bond as
insurance against any violation
of the injunction and the Down.
town to post $500 for the same
reason. The latter's bond was
low because its equipment is
covered by liens.
viii Press Other Suits.
U. s. Attorney Charles M.
Irelan declared his Office will
"relentlessly" press other suits
against bottle clubs as soon as
evidence can be gathered.
The civil trial Of the Picadilly
Club is expected to begin this
month. Mr.. Ford has demanded
a jury trial.
Judge Let's granted the Gov
ernment's motion to close the
Picadilly after a taxi driver con-
tradicted testimony by club
president Henry Ridge. Ridge.
whose club was fined on four
liquor law violations last fall,
testified that neither he nor
his associates had ever paid
money to cab drivers to bring
strangers to the; club. Il
A cab driver sJwhose name was
withheld. testified that on "a
nuuber Of occasions he had re-
ceived $50 cents q head" to
bring patrons to the club. He
also declared that Ridge had
paid him personally on occasion.
Ford Condemns Press.
Mr.. Ford condemned the press
the police department and the
United States Attorney for call
ing many bottle clubs breeders
of crime" He accused the Gov
ernment Of withholding witnesses
to keep information from the de-
fense and promised a bitter fight
over the wording Of the orders
for injunctions and the receiver
ships to be drawn up by Mr.
MCGEE.
Mr.. Ford introduced as evi-
dence records, Of the Picadilly
club and declared that they were
full and complete.
MIR. MCGEE declared anybody
could be admitted by paying q
$1.25 "cover charge. He as.
serted that the Picadilly club
was the biggest night club In
town, even though it has been ir