Norwich bulletin., 1911-03-10
TOR eUNpAy GALE or
 LlouoR iN hoTELa ArssAsnts in Favor ef Pending Bsii Dsfere Exeiss committss Ysetsrday.


 Especial to Tho Bulletin.)
 Hartford. March S.-Hotel men from every county in Connecticut appeared Thursday afternoon before the com mittee on excise of the general assem- bly, in favor of Senator Barnumse bill providing. in effect, for the sale of liquor on Sunday at reputable daotels,
 Automobile Travel Rsquirss It. The basis of nearly every argument presented in favor Of the bfll by moro than score of speakers was that tho bringing people from long diStancos to hotels on Sundays, requires that the demand they impose on hotel keepers to be served with beverages. which be met. While the strength of fhe Ar- guments of all who appeared for the bill was practically expended aS fndi- cated, the proprietors of the larger ho- tels in Hartford, New Haven, Bridge port, Waterbury and other cities laid special stress on the fact that their Sunday business is injured because of the fact that such a law as they seek is operative in both Massachusetts and New York, bordering states. and that this fact turns the tide of Sunday au- tom0bile traffic from Connecticut.
 Prominent Officials Favor Bill.
 Among those of prominence who ap-
  gressmaxl-e elect Thomas Reilly of Mer- iden, Comptroller Bradstreet, Senators Parker, McNeil and Hammond, James Knox, a prosecuting attorney for Hartford county; Frank Butterworth, manager of the Taft hotel, now under construction at New Haven; Propri- etor Judd of the Elton at Waterbury.
 Eastern Connecticut men who ap- peared were 1T. H. Davenport, Pom fret: Richard German, Putnam, both zl~f Ky Rogers, respectively proprietors of the Chickering hotel and Putnam Inn at Putnam.
 The discussion of the bill occupied about two hours.
 Temperance Interests Oppose 1t.
 H. H. Spooner, representative of the temperance interests, said he had ask / ed no one to come to the hearing. as he understood that the hotel men would be out in force. and that what ever criticisms he had to make of the bill would be taken tip when other bills of kindred nature come up for hearing. He told the committee, how would have brought out 40 men to fight the proposed measure, which pro- vides for the sale of liquor on Sundays to bona fde guests in reputable hotels with not less than % rooms, such liquors to be served with meals or in the guests rooms.
 Respected Those Who Framed Bill.
 MT. Spooner said he had como to the meeting with an open mind. Az a rule, he had found tho men who were supporting the bill to be gentlemen, and that he respected them as such.
 When the time comes, MT. Spooner told the committee he will have men present to discuss the whole question of granting Sunday licenses to hotels and restaurantS
 Cut Out Liquor Selling in Rooms.
 MT. Spooner said he saw some things in the bill that he would criticise strongly, and that he believes that it would get more support if it included greater restrictions, making it possi- ble for only . bona f1de guest to buy, cutting out the sale of liquor in the rooms, etc. MT. Spooner said he be- lieved the men behind the bill do not intend to violate the law and wish to be placed in a class by themselves. MT. Spooner made it clear that he did not agree not to oppose the bill, but pre- ferred to reserve his arguments for another time.
 Hotel Men Would Accept Restrictions. Attorney B. Henry Hyde of Hart ford, representing the Connecticut Ho- telkeepers' association, said that hfs cli- ents would not object to greater re- strictions being placed than were in