Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-04-16
AN EXCITING FIGHT
wAGED OVER THE BROOKS WHOLESALE
LICENSE BILL

An Amendment to Shut Out the Small Bot
tiers in Various Places-The House Votes
in Favor of the Billie VIII Probably
Pass.
IFRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT
HARRISBURG, April 15.-Any question
relative to the sale of intoxicating liquors
can be relied upon to raise breeze in either
house. 1t was SO to-day when Mr.. Brooks
wholesale license bill came up in the House
on second reading. Mr.. McNeelis moved to
amend by fixing bottlers' licenses at $500 in
all cities, instead of $500 in cities of the
first second and third classes, and $500 in
all others, arguing that the original bill
would drive small bottlers out of the busi-
ness. Mr.. Brooks said the $500 fee was ap-
proved by delegation from the Bottlers'
Association of Philadelphia, on the ground
that it would shut out the worst class OF
botters. Under the decision Of the Supreme
Court they could not be denied license in
tine counties of Philadelphia and Allie
ghenv, but the increased fee would drive
them out
Mr.. Pattison, of Philadelphia, charged that
the bill was "squeezer," intended solely to
drive the poorer bottlers of Philadelphia out
of the business. The amendment.was carrie q D.
a vote of SO to g. Mr.. McNeels then moveu TO
strike out the provision exemptlng brewers and
dlstillers botiling their own products from
taking out a botters license. whicn was also
agreed to. Mr.. Flad then moved TO strike out
the provision allowing wholesalers to deliver
their goods by their own conveyance, IN any
part of the county where the license is granted,
and insert, "in any part of the Commonwealth"
Upon this there was a warm discussion. Mr.
Talbot said the effect of the amendment would
be demoralizIng in the extreme Pass this
amendment and you would simply put saloons
on wheels and send them all over the state.
The yeas and nays were called and the amend
ment defeated by tie vote-Sl to 81.
Mr.. Fow had an amendment inserted requlr-
Ing delivery wagons to bear the name OF the
dealer and the nu mber of his license in letters
hot less than four inches long, He said the OBJ
ject of this amendment was to preveht the de-
livery of liquor to 'speak-easies."
Mr.. Walton made a very earnest appeal to
the members to go at the question calmly and
practically. Mr.. Walton's appeal seemed to
recall members to their senses, and thereafter
but few amendments were made. one being that
presented by Mr.. Cotton, of Allegheny, per-
mittinC any one member of firm OF distlllerS
to take out wholesale license in the county
where the distillery is located. and another
preselted by MIR. Morrison, of Philadelphia, re-
curing that all remonstrances against the
granting of lice nses be sworn to in the same
manner as petitions therefor, and that all per
sons wilfully making false statements therein
be made liable to prosecution for perjury.
On motion of MIR. ElwOod, of Westmoreland,
a provision was added repeating all special laws
inconsistent with the new law. This is to repeal
the WestmOreland wholesale act, which for6ids
Wholesalers selling in quantities less than i've
gallons The bill passed second reading, after
one Of the hottest fights of the session. 1t
looked at first as though it would never pass
finally, but since the amendments have been
made its prospects for becoming law are
much brighter.