Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-28
STATE WON'T TRY
TOPASS ON BEERS
s'Dry" Enforcement Law to
Be Introduced Next
Monday
PERCENTAGE UP TO U. S.
Legislation Governor Ap.
proves Lets Government Rule
on Amount of Alcohol

A prohibition commissioner at $500
a wear, and eight deputies at $4,000
wear each, will be appointed TO enforce
Congressional rulings on prohibition If
the bill 70 he presented to the state
Legislature next Monday becomes law.
Representative John W. Nickerman, OF
Allegheny, will introduce the measure.
Governor Sprou is said to favor its
adoption. The bill makes no effort TO
define an "intoxicant" or go into any
of the other intricate questions surround
tpR the national dry measure. but con-
fines itself to providing for enforcement
of rulings made at Washington.
The measure was drafted by Attorney
General Schaffer following numerous
conferences with the Governor. The
theory on which the bill is framed is
that the federal laws necessarily will
determine the state regulations regard
ing prohibition, leaving open only the
question Of enforcement.
With the position of Governor Sproul
toward the measure on record another
bill providing for the manufacture of
beer containing 275 per cent alcohol
is expected to fall by the waysde, this
being one OF the things the Governor
believes should be decided at Washing
ton.
May Sidetrack Fox Bill
The introduction of the Vickerman bill
may mean a conference of the admins-
tration officials and the Anti-Sa loon
League heads who are supporting the
Fox bill, another prohibition enforcement
measure The administration is not op-
posed to the Fox bill. but is opposed to
some of its provisions, notable those
4 haN h..
issue permits to wholesale and retail
druggists who sell Intoxicating liquors
for medicinal purposes. The Governor
favors the NCkerman plan of placing
the licensing power in the hands of the
prohibition commissioner and his depu-
ties.
After the Governor has had an on
portunlty to study the Tox bill and
the Vickerman bill is introduced. n date
for hearing Will probably be fixed by
the House law and order committee
10 which the prohibition measures are
sent.
The vickerman bill provides for the
appointment by the Governor by the
first of next January OF the prob BIZ
tion commissioner for a period of four
years. His salary is fixed at $500.
The eight deputies would be named
by the commissioner. with the executive
approval, and they would receive $4,000
annually.
The office of the commissioner would
be at the Capitol, but as the bill re-
quires the dividing of the state into
eight districts each deputy would have
charge of a district and would he re-
sponsible for the enforcement of the
law there The deputies would have
the power TO issue licenses to those
entitled to manufacture, sell or dis
tribute intoxicating liquors and appeals
from their decisions refusing to issue
n license would be carried to the COM
missioner, whose word will be final.
The deputies are empowered to inves-
tfgate complaints of all violations of
the prohibition law and they thave
power, under the bills terms, to revoke
permits and prosecute. Revocation of
q permit would be subject to review
by the commissioner.
Provides Police Power
The measure gives the commissioner
and his deputies the power to summon
witnesses to require their attendance, TO
REQUIRE the production of books and
records, and to examine witnesses. Re
fusal of a person, firm or corporation to
comply with the orders would mean an
appeal to the Quarter Sessions Court of
the county in which the investigation Is
under way for an order to compel at
tendance and further refusal would be
treated as contempt of court.