Evening star., 1953-08-29
City Studying
Non-Liquor
Bottle Clubs
After-Dork Spots
Obey New Low,
Close at Midnight


sci today took under advise
ment the question of whether
the Districts new law relating
to after-heurs clubs applies to
private after-hourS clubs where
no liquor is consumed.
After a brief hearing on the
question in Municipal Court, As
sistant Corporation Counsel Carl
D. Coleman expressed the view
that the new law does not apply
where only food is served or con-
sumed. Mr.. Coleman, however,
said he did not want to make a
final ruling at this time.
Managers of two clubs had
been asked by police to appear
for the hearing. William Simp-'
son, colored, manager of Club
652, located at 652 Newton street
NV, appeared in behalf of that
club at the request of Police 1t.
William Glassman, of No. 2 pre-
cinct.
Irwin Wolf, manager of the
Topside Club, 1887 Fourteenth
street NV. appeared for the
latter club at the request of Po-
lice 1t. Dan B. Kennedy of No.
2 precinct.
Two signs from the Club 652
were brought to court as exhibits.
One of them read: Your Con-
gress forbids you to consume pri-
vate beverages after 2 am. Let's
forgive them for they know not
what they doth. Let's pray that
they paSSeth no law to stop you,
and your guests enjoying the de-
licious 652 steak, hamburgers,
crab. cakes, after hours"
Another sign of the Club 652
instructed members to empty
lockers and turn in all keys,
and declared there is to be no
consumption of alcohol until
further notice.
Mr.. Simpson was represented
.bhe hearing by Attorney Cur
ss Mitchell. Attorney Charles
E. Ford represented Mr.. Wolf.
There are no charges against
either the managers or the
clubs.
Police officials reported today
that all the clubs shut their
doors last night in keeping with
provisions of the Omnibus Crime
Act.
Inspector Roy Blick and 1t.
Tod Thoman of the Morals Di-
vision. plus other police officers,
checked the clubs and said all
were darkened by 1901 am, or
two hours earlier than required.
Several clubs called police
headquarters as the deadline ap-
preached to find out if there
were any changes in the curfew.
They were told there were none.
2 AM. Closing on Weekdays.
Previously the private mem
bership clubs stayed open long
after public restaurants and
bars closed. The new law, how
ever, requires that they be closed
at 2 am. weekdays and by mid
night Saturday and Sunday.
The new law also requires the
private clubs to have a license
to sell liquor to their members.
Heretofore, the clubs served
their patrons liquor from their
own bottles and were not re-
quired to have a consumption
license.
Four Ask ABC License.
Yesterday, four established
private clubs applied for Alco-
holic Beverage Commission Ii
censes to sell liquor on their
premises. They were the Sphynx
Club. 1915 K street NV: the
Variety Club, Tent No. IL, mi
the Willard Hotel, and the
Touchdown Club, 1412 I street
NV An application filed by
the Atlas Club, 1349 E street
NV. was rejected because a
certified check covering a years
license fee attached to the ap-
plication was of an incorrect
amount. Another application
will be made Monday.
1t. Alexander Douglas, acting
captain at No. l precinct, said
this morning that a new lock
had been put on the door of the
Sportsmen's Club in the 400 block
of Ninth street NV. He said
a locksmith began installing the
new lock as soon as the club
shut down at midnight. He eX-
planned members of that club
have their own keys and to stop
them from walking in after the
new curfew a different lock had
to be installed.