New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-04-22
LIQUOR MEN WORRYING.
Local Option Lac Would Make
Many "S0hGras."
IBT TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUxE.l


Albany. April 2l.-The action Of the Senate
7 Taxation Committee sn reporting the local
option bin. which passed the Assembly last
week has given seriousness 10 the legislative
view Of this measure. which would affect New
York City equally with rural districts now en-
5oying a local option provision in the Raines
law. This bin would permit 80 per cent OF the
electors Of any compact" city district contain
ing between 300 and 5000 residents TO file with
the County Clerk or Board Of Elections petition
asking that a special election be held 10 decide
FOR that district whether liquor shall be sold
within its limits for two years. That this would
create wide Sahara districts in many sections
Of Manhattan and more in Brooklyn is Il fact
shat the liquor representatives on the floor Of
The legislature are just waking up 20. Some
suspicion exists that they have walked up bit
TOO late.
The bill would abolish Raines law hotels Of
the fake variety, FOR & permits the selling OF
liquor in such districts only by pharmacists on
physicians prescriptions by clubs and by hotels
having over fifty rooms The Raines law hotel
has fifteen at most The special election might
easily fail 10 attract the voters whose votes
would permit liquor selling and uptown dis
'tricts. notably on the west side Of NewYOrk.
would in all probabilities, be nearly all COM
mitted to no license az the first opportunity and
committed for two years.
BY one more than the necessary vote the
measure passed the Assembly last week. Yes
terday il came out from the Senate Taxation
Committee with an amendment which may de-
feat ii. since it must now so back TO the Assem-
bly, but il shows more strength and has better
prospects than had been suspected up 10 this
week
The real effect Of the bill, so the opponents
charge. would be a segregating Of saloons, not
dissimilar 10 the old plan of segregating vice.
The fact that il IS estimated that diminut!on
OF 100000 in the excise revenue would follow
the passage Of this bin is regarded as one Of its
chleI weaknesses. The amendment 10y the same
committee may not inlprObably kill the measure
but IL has MADE unexpected progress.
The friends Of the real Raines fake" hotel bill
who were worried by the action of the Assembly
Excise Committee yesterday i'm delaying its
passage by further amendment. received en-
enlargement this morning, when Speaker Nixon
limited al; the final passage Of the bill even if il
10 do H.
Chairman Plank OF the Excise Committee
came IT. late, and asked permission TO report the
measure out OF the regular order MIR. Nc
heoWn who was acting minority leader, was
only too glad Of the opportunity TO delay the
bin, and objected 10 the reception of the rerort
Technically you are right" said Speaker Nixon,
porr."
Wei. object" insisted McKeown. I have
my reasons"
"AH risht" replied the Speaker. But YOU
know We can get an emergency message and
pass this bill in any event.
rs that threat?" asked McKAown
Not ar an" replied the smiling Speaker
rs. il is a threat" reDlied NFcT[tou-, ...,,7
under that threat I withdraw NV obiectio,,e -
Unless the bill encounters unforeseen obstacles
~ lle senate, when il goes back for approval of
pass. P4'ANIS