The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-06-10
An Article is Submitted Giving
the Plans and Objects
OF Such Laws.
tBy Model Linuor I.ennne.A !

N-~H s%tIbtF t(tAlrsuGsI
The National Model Liquor League
whose plan for general reform in the
retail liquor trade by means OF the
adoption of a model license recently
was received with much favor in West
Virginia, was formed in Louisville last
winter. Its sponsors recognize the
fact that abuses had crept into the
conduct of the retail liquor trade. and
1t was with this fact in mind that the
call for the meeting OF the wholesale
liquor interests of the country was
issued.
From the concensus OF opinion Of
the men attending the convention,
the model license plan was evolved.
The object is two fold:
1. To take the saloon out of pol
itics.
2. To take the lawbreakers out of
the retail liquor business.
1t was found necessary that the IL
cense law should be stated in terms
of the plainest language, with no pos
sibility for evasion of its clauses.
Some remedy for control Of the sa-
loon by party bosses was Imperative,
Some cure for lawlessness in connec-
ton with the retail liquor trade was
vitality necessary.
The model license law, after due
elaboration, was offered as follows,
and as such has been submitted to the
thinking men of the country, and the
press of the various states, with the
request for an opinion of its various
parts and for whatever criticism
might be afforded
First. 1t provides for license in
the form of direct contract be-
tween state and Individual. The IL
cense is the party of the individual.
subject to being revoked by major
ity of the voters Of the community.
When a man dies his license, which
IL personal property, goes to his es-
tate. He is made independent Of
bosses and subservient to no party
The license may he conveyed as is
other property. with proper restrict
tons.
Second, penalty is provided for
infraction of the laws which each
community or state chooses to place
upon the conduct Of the business. In
case of conviction, first offense, Of
violation of any statute concerning
the conduct of his business, the re-
tailer's license Is suspended for thirty
days. For a second conviction, his
license is forfeited forever. No OPP
ton Is given for judicial construction,
either toward ienicacy or severity in
dealing with the case. The penalty
is absolutely fixed.
Third, the League declares in favor
of license fee sufficient to bear its
proper proportion of the burden of
taxation, without being excessive. The
argument is advanced that II the IL
censc be too high. 1t will encourage
the substitution of inferior wares, in
order to mealSe a commensurate prof
1t.
Fourth, In order to aid the retailer
as much as possible in obeying the
law, punishment is provided for any
minor over eighteen years OF age, who
shall represent himself to be of le-
gal age in order to obtain liquor.
The National Model License League
IS in favor of strict regulation, but
not in favor of prohibition or con-
fiscation of property.
The wholesale liquor interests. with
their collateral trades, including the
cooperage works, bar-fixture factor
les and other independent Industries,
comprize a capitalization of three and
a half million dollars, and gives en-
ployment to million and three hun
bred thousand workers, with seven
million pepole dependent upon them
for a livelihood. II all the great in
dustrv were blotted out in day, It
would precipitate the greatest panic
ever sen in tn history of the world.
Serious interference which will par
alyzc this great business means that
every other business in America VIII
suffer.
Regulation is necessary. Prohtbi-
ton will not prohibit. for statistics
show that the consumption of liquors
in state like Maine Is more In pro-
portion than in state like Minneso-
Ia. Liquors are imported without the
state getting the revenue 1t derived
from the saloon before prohibition
was enacted.
The license laws of many states are
so faulty that a dishonest man can
get into business, and by his actions
can reflect upon the other retainer
who are trying to observe the law