Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-02-15
A NEW LIQUOR BILL.
Changes Made by the Commissioners and
Their Reasona.

Changes Made by the Commissioners and
Their Reasons.
Tho Commissioners today transmitted TO
Congress a new liquor bill to govern the sale
of fermented liquors in the District Of Co
lumbia
The points in which the new bill differs from
existing laws and regulations and the reasons
for the suggested changes are pointed out in a
letter accompanying the bill which says:
Section defines the different classes Of
liquor dealers. IL fixes the wholesale license
fee at $500 instead of S25, as at present, and
also makes the granting OF the license
subject to the approval OF the Commission
ers, which is now somewhat in doubt Ii
also changes the definition of wholesale deal
ers from those who sell all kinds of intoxicat-
Ing beverages in quantities greater than one
pint, not to be drunk upon the premises.
to those who are authorized TO sell only such
liquors in quantities not less than one
gallon, except malt liquors, which they may
sell IN quantities not less than one pint The
small fee now charged for Wholesale license
Is an inducement to the keeper of every gro
Gerry to take out Wholesale liquor
license; no consent of the neighboring
residents being required. The fee should be
at least one-half of the amount charged for a
retail lice nse which this bill proposes to raise
TO S6O0. This section also make
the possession of the stock and APP
piiances for' carrying on the retail liquor
business prima facie evidence that such bust
ness is being carried on. The other provisions
are the same as at present. The Commissioners
are of opinion that each of these changes is a
great improvement and essential to a proper
regulation of the liquor traiiic.
Sec. 3. This section provides the penalties for
violating this act For the first ofense there
is fine Of from $500 TO $500. For
the second offense the penalty is nearly
doubled and there is added committal to
the Washington Asylum for from six TO twelve
mouths at hard labor, unless the fine is paid
sooner. The present fines are SO small that the
liquor sellers can profitably violate the laws
persistently and pay the fines when con-
victed. The Commissioners think that the
penalty should be sufficiently great TO
make ii to the interest of the dealer TO comply
with the law. To prevent the licenses from
being taken out in the names of irresponsible
parties they think it essential that the con-
yicted party should be committed to the
Washington Asylum at hard labor, in case
OF second offense, until the fine Is paid, and
that the license be revoked. This section also
provides for the punishment of those aiding
and abetting violators of the law.
Section prohibits the employment Of fe-
males, excepting the wife or daughter o. the
proprieto-s. in bar rooms, and prohibits the
playing Of pool. billiards or other games in
room where liquors are sold. The Commits
siorers consider these prohibitions very i'm
portant to the proper regulations of the liquor
traffic.
Section provides that the advertising Of
liquors by signs or otherwise, outside or inside
OF any unlicensed place. shall be taken
to be the selling Of liquor for the
purposes Of this act, and also authorizes
the examination of any premises by
the police, under the order of the Commission
ers.where there Is reason to believe that liquors
are being sold in violation of law. Without
this section it is practically impossible to pre-
vent the unlicensed sale Of liquors.
Section II prohibits apothecaries from SELL
ing or disposing of intoxicants except on
prescription of a physician. In the judg-
ment of the Commissioners that or some
other provision that will prevent the
abuse of the privileges which apothecaries
enjoy under the present license should be en-
acted. Under the present law they can sell in
quantities of one-half pint and less, at their
own discretion under their apothecarles' Ii
cense.