The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-11-28
HOW TO KEEP
OUT SALOONIS
BIG PROBLEM
Term Has Wide Variety of
Definitions; Bitter
Fight Foreseen.
BY RAYMOND CLAPPER
United Press stan Correspondent
Copyright. 1899. by United Press)

the most difficult problems riding
down on congress, as it prepares
to consider fundamental prohibition
changes in the session beginning
a week from today, is how to pre-
vent the return of the saloon.
Already this has provoked wide
differences among repeal advo-
Gates. Some want to put their anti
saloon insurance into new con-
sdtutional amendment. Others
would leave it to individual states.
Difficulties in defining the term
have appeared.
The question is one of the first
waiting to be threshed out when
congress starts on this highly con-
troversial prohibition problem.
Speaker John Garner has indi-
Gated he wishes TO consider various
forms of repeal before deciding
which one to throw his forces be-
hind.
Glass May Revise Measure
When the senate meets it will
have before it as unfinished BUSH
ness from the last session the pro-
posed repeal amendment of SEN
ator Carter Glass Dem., Va). 1t
is possible, however, that Glass may
withdraw his measure for revi-
sion.
AS a lifelong dry, who says he
has never tasted liquor, Glass has
sought to bridge the chasm be-
tween the prohibition views of drys
from the south and extreme vets
from the north.
He tells his extreme anti-prohibi-
hon friends that they never can OBJ
tain the two-thirds necessary to
put through a repeal amendment,
without Incorporating safeguards
insisted upon by drys.
What Is a Saloon?
One of these is a clause which
prohibits the sale of intoxicating
liquors for consumption at the
place Of sale commonly known as
a saloon" etc.
Critics of this restriction, such as
Senator Hiram Bingham (Rep.,
Comm said that if the phrase were
construed literally it would prevent
serving in restaurants and hotels,
and would leave the country still
with the speakeasy as an illegal
saloon.
Would the large chain drug stores,
which have become half restaurant
in recent years be permitted to serve
beer and wine with their lunch
counter food.
Senator Glass has said he did
not believe his proposed amend
ment would prevent the sale of
liquors in hotels or restaurants.
When this definition of a saloon
was challenged, he said: MIR.
Webster defines a saloon as, "A place
where, intoxicating liquors are sold
and drunk; a grog shop The term
is~used commonly of a place where
there are no lodgings or regular
service Of meals as in hotel"
Variety of Definitions
Both presidential candidates, both
party platforms, and most senators
and members of congress are on
record as being opposed to the
saloon. Pressure is strong for in
cooperating some restriction against
the saloon. into the proposed
amendment.
But the variety of definitions
causes fear among many interests
opposed to prohibition that some
definition may go into the Consti-
tuition which would curtail their
marketing plans subsequently.
Senator Ashurst (Dem., Ariz.)
defines saloon as: "A place where
Intoxicating liquor is sold, and is
drunk perpendicularly.'
The supreme court, so far as is
known, has never made a definition
of the term.
What State Courts Say
State courts, however, have con-
strued it in various ways, includ-
ing the following:
Places where persons resort to
obtain food or drink, which are not
also devoted to some other bust
ness. Michigan.
docs not include an inclosed
park in which such liquors are sold"
Connecticut.
MAY be applied to a place re-
failing spirituous liquors, or to many
other kinds of places. Texas.
"A shop or room wherein is kept
a varied assortment of liquors which
are sold by the glass, drink, or at
retail. New York.
Includes a restaurant, or eating
house, where intoxicating liquors are
sold for consumption by guests with
meals. Colorado.