The Jackson herald., 1910-01-20
Solution Of Liquor Problem o.
tered by National Model
License League.
Head Of Missouri Branch Dis
Cusses Big Convention to
Be Held in ST. Louis.


liquor problem is expected to result
from the third annual convention OF
the National Model License league.
which is to be held at the Planters
hotel in ST. Louis on Feb. 3 and 4.
While the league is financed by
men connected with the liquor busi-
ness and collateral trades, its conven-
tion will be addressed by prominent
ministers and distinguished men who
are not connected with the trade, but
are interested in the solution OF the
liquor problem. The sessions will be
open to the general public.
THE league has what 1t believes is
the long sought solution, but 1t Is not
narrow.minded, and II seeks to get
the benefit of the constructive views
of men OF brains" said Mr.. Joseph
Messmer, president OF the Missouri
branch OF the organization, adding:
"The league is advocating form Of
law that will take the liquor question
out Of politics and put the lawbreak-
ers out OF the business. When this
has been accomplished then all will
have been done that can be done by
law in favor of true temperance.
Removal From Politics.
"Our plan would make the retailer
Independent OF politicians by giving
him a license that would continue In
force, unless suspended or cancelled
because OF the holders conviction OF
violation of law. Upon the first con-
vIction the license would be suspend
ed for thirty days, which is a severe
penalty. Upon the second conviction
the license would be cancelled and
the holder would never again be al
lowed a license in Missouri. The
Judge could not play any favorites, for
the conviction would carry with II the
penalty provided in each case, and
the Judge would have no power to
lessen or increase the penalty. Thus
one Judge would be the same as an
other to the liquor men.
1--WE oppose high license, because II
Is manifestly unfair to charge more
than a reasonable sum for a license.
II dealer Is law-abiding he should be
allowed to make an equitable profit
on his time. labor and capital. II he
Is not law.abiding he should not be al
lowed to continue in business. High
license in depriying dealer or his le-
gitimate profits tends to compel him
to deal in inferior goods. Also II
should be remembered that a law
breaker. with political protection.
can AFFORD to pay a much higher H.
cense than a law.abiding dealer can
pay.
as a means OF limiting the number of
saloons, but the number of saloons
can best be limited by a law that per
mits licenses to be issued in proper
ton to the population, say one license
for each 500 Of Inhabitants.
"In all prohibition territory and in
some license territory there is the
blind tiger evil and this is a curse
that should be blotted out. The only
practical way is TO destroy the market
for the wares OF the blind tiger by
licensing enough retailers to supply
the reasonable demands OF the people.
Big Daily Increase.
'The governments figures show
that for the first FIVE months of the
present fiscal year there was daily
increase OF lS6,S37 gallons in the
amount Of liquor being consumed. The
prohibitionists claim that they put for
ty licensed saloons out of business
every day last year, but the govern
ment's figures show that the net de-
crease In the number OF retailers pay.
ing federal tax was only per cent for
the year. The question for the people
to decide is how to regulate a busi-
ness that is growing faster than pro-
hibition is spreading.
"Since the league was organized
two years ago five states have adopt
ed model license laws in modified
form and in each case the various
clauses have proven factors in behalf
OF good government
1--WE have associations in all but
fourteen states OF the Union, and in
Missouri our membership almost abso-
lutely comprises that of the Manu-
facturers and Merchants association,
which, in effect, We recently absorbed. |
Dur policy is to make of the saloon a
place in which no drunken man can
purchase liquor. 10 make of II work
ingman's club in those sections where |
q workingman's club should be exist |
ent, and to put all those restrictions |
around saloon which would exist un-
der the best state of morals"
The headquarters OF the league are
IN Louisville, Ky. The national Off |
GERS are: T. NJ. Gilmore, president;
George G. Brown, vice president: |
Graeme MCGOWAN, treasurer; G. r.
Washburne, secretary; d. NJ. Smith, |
general counsel.
The officers Of the Missouri branch
are: Joseph Nessmer, president; F. |