New Britain herald., 1919-07-12

Ela1nNllle may prove a mighty in
 teresting town as far as a real good
 argument is concerned over the liquor
 question. The decision of what is in
 toNlcating liquor and what is not may
 help in the local situation. There is a
 test case in the New Haven courts as
 to whether it is legal to sell } 3-4 per
 cent beer. If the court decides that
 it is legal then it is probable that the
 decision will state that the per cent
 age of alcohol in beer is non-intoxi-
 eating. It will then remain for con-
 gress to pass legislation before Janu-
 ary 1, 1920, defining definitely what is
 intoxicating liquor, and the various
 clauses of the prohibition act.
 The way in which Plainville may be
 interested is that if the courts decide
 that 3-4 per cent. beer is legitimate
 for sale it will also state that such per
 centage of alcOhQl is notwithstanding
 Therefore, if the drink is nOn-intoXi-
 eating, will the saloon keepers of this
 town have the right to open their Sa
 looms and sell 3-4 per cent beer and
 other drinks which are allowed under
 the prohibition act?
 There will be opposition to such a
 plan but there is a mighty big and in
 teresting question as far as the legal ity of the measure is concerned PlainVille is a "dry' town and has been for the past two years. The up holders of the "bone dry town would in all proba ability say that when the town voted no license it meant the abolition of all liquor heretofore con- sidered intoxicating. The "wets' would imm ediatcly retaliate by show ing the legality of their act under the decision of the courts and the saloons might again be thriving in the town. At the present time near beer is be- ing sold at all the fountains in the town and the owners of saloons think they are as justified to open and sell 2.34 per cent. beer as the owners of the fountains arc to open a new line of business in selling near beer. The teChricalitY of the argument would at least prove of interest to the people. The town votes annually on the liquor question. If the country re- mains dry, but the sale of certain per cent. beer is allowed, it is probable that the liquor men of the town will endeavOr to have the town go wet and have all doubt of legality to sell cast aside. The people of the town will show much interest in the matter as it is probably the first question of le- gal importance of it's kind ever to arise in the town. All rest now upon the court decisions in regard to 2.34 per cent. beer before a start of some kind will be made in the town. Youngster Picked Up.
 Sitting in the police station today is a 14 year old youngster. who was picked up on the street at o'clock this morning by Constable Marine while on his rounds of the center of the town
 The boy changed his story at every question. Nothing coherent could be obtained from him after. being found and he was locked up for safe keep ing When found he said he lived on Church street and was going home Then he stated he lived at Mountain View and again changed and said New Britain. This morning his story was again different and after some time when threatened With punishment by the court, he admitted that he had run away from his home in Forest l vile and had in his possession his 1 fathers bicycle on which he intended l to pursue his travels.
 The boy gave his name as Andrew l Cresco of 37 Anderson avenue. Chief Belden of Bristol was notified and 1 said he would send an officer here to l investigate the case.
 i Gypsies Prove Unpopular. Gypsies are in the habit of rowing T t,1o: