The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-05-15
DIsPENsARY OWES LICENSE.
Claim Made Upon Commission for
$4,000 by Internal Revenue Dc
Partment.

COiumDla, Nay o.-a NeN <tAu
entirely unexpected move in dispen-
sarv matters was made yesterday
when DR.. W. J. Murray, chairman Of
the State dispensary commission, was
served with papers by the United
States internal revenue department,
through the Office Of Maj. Micah jen-
kins, in which the government makes
claim to back license fees amounting
to more than $4,000.
The revenue department charges
that under the old State dispensary
system various county dispensers
throughout the State sold beer in
greater quantities than rs gallons,
which, under the rules fthe revenue
department, would make them liable
to the wholesale liquor dealers Ii
cense.
DR.. Murray accepted summons in
the case of a separate claim for So
427, the amount of revenue alleged to
be due the United States government.
in addition to what has previously
been paid, for a period OF Is months
past. Notice of claim for $4,000 in
license fees for the time prior to the
IS months past was also given to the
dispensarv.:comnaission, but sum
mons wss:.5t accepted
The li:s7iss2e fee for retail liquor
dealer ss25 per annun; for whole
sale lisuor dealer, s125 per annum.
The retail dealer is limited to sales
of 4 rs gallons and less, and if sale
Of more than that amount in single
package should be made by person
holding only a, retail dealers license
ne would not only be subjected to the
fee of 1925 but an additional so per
cent penalty for his refusal or neglect
to pev the greater license in ad-
vance.
From former officials of the State
dispensary it was learned yesterday
that if the county dispensers sold
beer in larger quantity than 4 rs
gallons to one person, in single
package. it was unknown to them.
The dispensary law not only state j
specifically that no sale in excess OF
/ rs gallons would be permitted to
one person in the same day, but pos
tive instructions, according to Mr..
NJ. H. Mobley, former clerk to the
State board Of directors, We're fre-
quently given TO local dispensers that
under no circumstances must they
make sales in excess of that amount.
cat one time" said Mr.. Mooley,
"the> question was presented to the
board by some dispenser as to wheth-
er heawould be permitted to sell
case of bottle whiskey to party or
club at reduced price. The board
authorized the sale Of certain case
goods to clubs and individuals, in full
cases, for an advance Of 81 above
cost price. These cases, however,
contained but three gallons. Il dis
pensers ever sold beer in larger guam
titles than rs gallons to one pur-
chaser, in one package, at time it IS
more than I ever knew, and I don't
believe the board of directors, or any
member OF The board, knew Of such
transactions"
OF course. if the state di<pensary
commission should be required to
ante UP $4,000, it would cut C. big
slice into the funds Of the institution,
and would. so to speak. be Ike throw
4.g so much money TO the birds.
II the county dispensers throughout
the state violated the Law, as con-
tended by the United States revenue
officials. it certainly Shows very lax
methods, but, inasmuch as the IL
censes as retail liquor dealer are is
sued to the individual dispenser, ana
not to the State, the question is raised
that the dispensers and no. the State
are liable for any excess license fees
which may be due Uncle sala. This
IS the position taken BY D. Nur-
ray and Mr.. Henderson of the COM
mission.
Hon. W. r. Stevenson, attorney for
the dispersary commission, was not
in the city yesterday. He Will arrive
over the Seaboard Air Lie this
morning and the matter Will be re-
ferred to him ano Attorney General
Lyon.