New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-02-20
Saloon Doomed
In 10 er Cent
Alcohol Bill
Legislative Leaders Hope to
Have the Measure Ready
for Introduction Monday
Staff Co1vespondence

Staff Correspondence
ALBANY, Feb. Republican and
Democratic legislative leaders told The
Tribune correspondent to- day that they
hope the bill permitting the manufact-
ure and sale of 10 per cent alcoholic
beverages will be ready for introduce
ton Monday night
Robert c. Cumming, head of the
State Bill Drafting Commission, is now
at work drafting the legislation Com
missioner Cumming said tonight the
bill probably would not be in shape
before Tuesday or Wednesday. He de-
clined to discuss its provisions. From
other sources The Tribune learned that
It's chief provisions include:
The abolition of the saloon.
Bars to be permitted only in whole
sale liquor houses and in restaurants
and hotels.
The bars could only be used as
counters are used in grocery stores for
the delivery of goods.
In the case Of Restaurants and ho-
tells walters only would be permitted
to approach the bars Drinks could be
served only with meals.
Sample Drinks Prohibited
In wholesale places no drinks could
be served, even as samples. All goods
would have to be taken from the prem
ises in packages.
SO as to avoid conflict with the Fed
eral authorities one provision in the
bill would forbid the importation or
expectation of any alcoholic drinks
This would mean that all made in the
ts+ Il
and that New Workers would have to
depend solely on home brew
The bill would provide for the re-
tenton of the present Excise Depart
ment to enforce the provisions Of the
proposed law. The leaders who are
backing the Legislation admit they will
meet with stiff opposition to the bill.
and that before they finally get it
through they viii have to shave down
the percentage of alcohol to something
like or 4 per cent.
This would mean the end of the
wine industry here, as the hghtcst
vine contains per cent alcohol,
while beers and ales average from
to per cent.
Legislative leaders say there is a
demand for a liberal construction Of
the prohibition amendment and that
there has been a symptom of favor
able reaction to the demand by "drys"
who voted for ratification.
Would Rescind Ratification
The "wcts," through Assemblyman
Pete McElligott. of Manhattan. will
introduce resolution to morrow ask
ing the Legislature to rescind its rati-
fcaton of the amendment.
The resolution viii declare that If
there arc any further restrictions
passed by the Legislature "there NAV
be industrial strikes and q refusal
on the part of the people to subscribe
to further necessary loans of the
government"
McEllgott explained that he meant
that If there was not a bill adopted
permitting the manufacture and sale
Of beer laboring men would refuse to
work, and that there would be u re-
fusal on the part of the "Wets" to buy
Liberty bonds of the next issue
One prominent Republican leader
said:
THE McElligott resolution is intro
auced merely as propaganda. 1t Will
get nowhere There will be a liberal
construction made of an Intoxicating
beverage and that viii settle the whole
The provision of the proposed lcgis-
ation driving out the saloon is ex-
pected to hold fast the "drys" who /
nave joined the "wets." Enough have
already swung to the advocates of q
LIBERAL construction Of the eighteenth |
amendment to insure passage of the /
episiation in both houses