Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-02-26
REGULATION OF
DETERMINATIONS


The following Illuminating article oil
Senator Keddieis excise bill Is from
the Goldfield Tribune:
Senator Keddie's bill providing fol
state regulation of the liquor traffic
as against local regulation was re
ported adversely by the committee on
education and public morals Of the
senate and was later laid upon the
table, where IL awaits further action
by that body II It should see fit TO
take Il up.
The measure Is embodied in senate
bill number 80, and an examination
OF its provisions leads to the eonclu'
sion that its author has been studying
the laws Of Kansas on one hand and
the laws of Pennsylvania on the
other.
Out Of the forty-eight states there
are only two left having neither state
wide prohibition nor some form of To-
cal option. These states are Penn
sylvania, which many years ago adopt
ed a form OF regulation that has regu-
lated, and Nevada, which has been
without regulation and has treated
the subject almost solely from a stand
point Of revenue.
In Pennsylvania the Issuance OF
license is under control OF the courts
and the judges In that state are chosen
for term Of ten years. Licenses are
limited in number, and the laws were
so framed as to make 1t TO the interest
Of the licensee to observe them TIE
license Is transferable and in many
instances It has become highly valu-
able asset, which disregard Of the
law would impair IL It did not destroy.
Consequently the sale of liquor to
minors and to those already intoxi-
Gated or to habitual drunkards, or
out OF legal hours involves a risk that
the licensee can not afford.
In. Kansas It was found that local
peace officers were too frequently
chosen and controlled by those who
were disposed to violate the law, and
authority was given to officials Of the
state to correct this.
The bin Of Senator Keddie provides
for control Of the liquor traffic
through board OF five excise men to
be appointed by the governor, the at.
torney general and the secretary of
state. II contemplates an eventual re-
duction OF the number OF licenses In
force, the number not to exceed one
for every 500 inhabitants, and gives
the excise board authority to refuse
or to revoke any license without any
reason whatsoever other than consid-
Grafton for the public welfare.
The bill is an apparent attempt to
take the matter Of license regulation
entirely out Of the hands OF local
authorities and place II in the hands
OF those who would be entirely In
dependent OF any local influence or
antagonism.
Those who have observed the trend
OF affairs have reached the conclusion
that the retail liquor traffic will either
be regulated or exterminated. More
than half. the states have statewide
prohibition In force or on the statute
books to become effective at an early
date. All but two of the others have
local option In some form. Four local
option states voted dry last Novem-
ber including Michigan, Montana, Ne
braska and South Dakota. Others
went from statutory to constitutional
prohibition. Since November at least
four addition states have been trans.
ferred to the dry column by legisla-
tive enactment, while others, including
the populous state OF Illinois, are sub.
hitting the question to the people.
In the meantime congress has al
ready voted Alaska bone" dry, has
indicated its intentions concerning the
District of Columbia, and the only
hing that will prevent the submission
" an amendment to the federal con-
next week is the rush OF other |
BUSINESS in the closing days of the |
L
eSsion. It's action yesterday, the
iouse confirming senate amendment
prohibiting shipment into dry states,
vas the most drastic of all. The
ote was $40 to 70, or more than 4
o /. Arkansas. Arizona, Montana,
oregon, Tennessee and Washington
ave bone dry" laws already effec.
I've, or soon TO become effective.
'imilar measures are, pending in CoiosI
ado, Iowa, Mississippi, South Caro-.
Ina, North Carolina and Michigan.
his action by congress will cover, by
Is blanket provisions, what the
ry states have been doing by In.
iVidual enactments since the Webb.
.enyon decision three months ago.
What Nevada might do under regu.
tion whom shb comes to vote next
Ear Is problem; what she will do
the absence OF regulation Is no
niger open to doubt.
49,
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