The critic. (Washington, D.C.) 1890-1891, 1891-02-12
TIE CIGARETTE LAW.
DEALERS EMPRESS THEIR OPINIONS
AS TO HOW 1T WILL WORK.
Many Of Them Think the Law should
Impose Fine for Boys who Use
Tcbacco-wili Not FIJI Orders Unless
the Parties are Knowu-A Test Case
Wanted

The tobacconists of the District are con-
siderably aetated over the bill signed by
the President Saturday prohibiting the
sale of tobacco to minors under lG years
Of age.
The bill was first introduced in the
House by Mr. Morse of Massachusetts,.
The first section provides that thereafter
no person in the District Of Columbia
shall sell, give or furnish any cigar
cigarette or tobacco in any Of its forms to
any minor under 10 years Of age; and for
each and every violation of this section
the offender shall on conviction, be fined
not less than 81 nor more than $40, or be
imprisoned for not less than five days nor
more than twenty days"
Section 2. That no MINOR under 10 years
OF age shall smoke or in any way use any
cigar cigarette or tobacco In any form In
any street, avenue, alley, or other pub
lie place or resort within the District of
Columbia, and each and every violation
of this section shall be punishable by q
fine of not less than 90 nor more than 81.
Mr.. McMillin of the House District
Committee, to whom the bill was referred,
reported 1t back with the amendment
that the second section be stricken out.
In this shape 1t passed both the House
and Senate and was signed by the Presi-
dent.
A great many of the dealers think the
second section should have remained and
not made the violation entirely with deal
ers. One thing which In plzzling the
dealers is whether they can fill orders de-
livered by minors, and they are patiently
waiting for test case to be made so that
the matter can be decided.
Eocrua w Qontt E.rr o,,d l.aIr - rook
and Pennsylvania avenue, when asked
about the law, said:
~ shall try to abide by the law. II it
can be enforced 1t will prove blessing to
the boys, but they will find some way to
get cigarettes"
'Will you fill orders delivered by
Minors?"
.'1f they bring written orders from reg.
ular customers and parties know, will;
but If / am convinced that it is a scheme
get them for themselves, / will certainly
refuse. shall take no chances on vio-
lating the law"
Maitern, 436 Seventh street, have
given orders to my clerks at both stores to
refuse to sell to minors, and no orders will
be filed unless we know the parties giving
them.
~ shall try to abide by the law" said
Conrad Zcller, Sixth and ID streets, "but
expect nc. little trouble from IT, There is
Just one thing certain, and that is, II the
boys want cigarettes they will get them.
There can always be found men who will
buy them for boys.
"Will you fill orders delivered by boys
under 16?'
mot unless / know the parties sending
the orders. Some of the dealers think the
law should have remained os first intro
duced, to fine the boys for using tobacco,
but this would have worked hardship on
their parents as they would have had the
fines TO pay"
II. M. Farris, 1888 Tenth street, shall
refuse to fill orders delivered by minors
unless in writing, and / know the parties.
The law should provide fine for the boys
as well as the dealers. / hope the law
will be enforced.
81 shall refuse to sell to Minors" said
J. ii. Whitehand, 305 Seventh street,
and will only fill orders where know
the parties. L have consulted Major
Moore and think will have no trouble"
Fred. w. Bergman, 107 Pennsylvania
avenne-We have never sold cigarettes
and tobacco to small boys and the law
will not hurt us.
]. r. Taylor, S2i Pennsylvania avenue,
said--The law is a good one If it can be
enforced, but the dealers are going to
have a hard time for awhile. The law
should have provided fine for the boys
as well as the dealers. To-day have re-
fused to fill several orders.
Forney Queen, National Hotel-Wewill
not fill orders unless we know the parties,
and shall conform strictly to the law.
A very small boy was seen in front of
the Metropolitan Hotel putting away at a
cigarette, and the reporter asked how he
was going to get cigarettes.
Easy ,nuff," replied young America.
"Bow?n
Don't yer know dere am Ell lot of fell
| lows loafin' roun de tony hotels wat never
HAYES err red. We'll, desc fellcrs will get
de boys all dc cigarettes dey want if dey
will give EN- two or tire out of each pack
| are. ReeY