The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1908-06-17

ithPeTutlNe. 0OIne cure tOf lbW~l
lessness in connection with the
retail liquor traffic was vitality
necessary.
The model license law, after
due deliberation, was offered as
follows, and as such has been sub
mitted to the thinking men ofthe
country, and the press ofthe var
ious states, with request for an
opinion of Its various parts, and
for whatever criticism might be
offered; =
"First. 1t provides for allcense
in the form of q direct contract
between state and individual.
The license is the property ofthe
individual, subject to being re-
voked by a majority of the qoters
of the community. Whena man
dies, his license, which is person
al property, goes to his estate.
He is independent Of bosses
aud subservient to no party. The
license may be conveyed, as is
other property, with proper re-
strictions.
"second. penalty Is provid-
ed forinfraction of the laws which
each community or state chooses
to place upon the conduct ofthis
business. In case of conviction,
first ottense, of violation ofany
statote concerning the conduct of
his business, the retailers license
is suspended for thirty days. For
second conviction, his license Is
forfeited forever, No option is
given for judicial construction,
either toward lenlency or severity
in dealing with the case. The
penalty is absolutely fixed.
Third. The leagne declares in
favor of a license fee sufficient to
bear its proper burden of taxa
tien, without being excessive:
The argument is advanced that it
the license be too high, it will eni
courage the substitution OF infer>
ior wares, in order to make q COM
mensurato profit.
"Fourth. In order to aid the
retailer as much as possible in
obeying the law, q punishment is
provided for any minor over 18
years OF age, who shall represent
himsolfto be of legal age IN orr
der to obtain liquor.
"The National Model License
League is in faqor of strict regu-
lation, but not in favor ofprohib-
ton or confiscation of property.
"The wholesale liquor interests
with their collateral trades, in,>
Guiding the co,operage works,bar-
fixture, factories, glass factories
and other dependent industries,
comprise capitalization of three
and a half billion of dollars, and
give employmentto to a million and
three hundred thousand workers,
with seven millions of people de-
pendent upon them for a liveli-
hood. Ifall of this great indus
try were blotted out in a day, it
would percipitate the greatest
panic over seen in the history of
the world. Serious interference
which will paralyze this great(
business means that every othcr
business in America will suffer.
"Regulatlon Is necessary. Pro-
hibition will not prohibit, Ifor
statistics show that the oonsump-
ton OF liquors in n state like
Maineis more in proportion than
in state like Minnesota. Liquors
ars imported without the state
getting the revenue it derived
from the saloons operated before
prohibition was enacted.
"The license laws Of many
states are so faulty that dishon-
est man can getinto buainess,a and
by his actions can reflect upon
the other retailers who are trying
to observe the law. 1t is to elimi-
nate these men who have no re-
gard for good government that
the model license law was franz
ed. It's sponsors hope that twill
be adopted throughout all of the
states which license the saloon.