Evening star., 1933-12-05
LIBERAL ATTITUDE
TO Be POLICY HERE
Washington Legally Dry as
National Prohibition Is
Repealed.
The ending Of the eighteenth amend

The ending OF the eighteenth amend
n1ent today E,ds Washington legally dry
under the volstead law, awaiting the
assembling of Congress next month to
consider liquor control legislation for
the National Capital.
The adjacent State of Maryland was
busily engaged in arranging to 60 wet
which went through its final steps in
the Legislature at Annapolis last night
and was sent to Gov. Ritchie to be
signed this morning.
Virginia, like the District of Colum-
bla, remains dry under State law until
the Legislature convenes next month to
consider proposed control legislation.
The Volstead law continues in force in
Washington under a recent ruling of
Attorney General Cummings, who held
that the national prohibition act will
continue to be operative in the District
end in the Territories until some action
Is taken by Congress.
United State Attorney Leo A. Rover
said that in accordance with a recent
decision by the Attorney General the
VolStead act would remain effective in
the District of Columbia until Congress
takes some action with regard to local
legislation on this question.
There was reason to believe, however,
that prosecuting officials will take the
liberal attitude toward the matter and
that residents bringing liquor into the
District for their own personal use will
not be in danger Of any criminal prose-
eution.
Maryland Wet Soon.,
Although Maryland rushed through
Its new control law to coincide with
the demise of the eighteenth amend
rnent. latest indications are that a day
or two will be required to make the
necessary arrangements for placing
liquor on sale in Prince Georges County,
and a longer time in Montgomery
County. The plan adopted for Mont
gomery County contemplates county
dispensaries at Rockville, Silver Spring
and Bethesda for sale in packages, but
1t was said today the system may not
go into operation before January. In
Prince Georges County it is planned
TO authorize sale by the drink at hotels
and restaurants, as we'll as provision for
sales in package form. Reports are
that sales probably will not start in
that county before Thursday.
MAJ. Brown, superintendent of Dis
trlct police, called the attention of pre-
clnct commanders yesterday to the
ruling that the Volstead law remains
c1hc action regarding the District.
indications are that police will con-
centrate their enforcement efforts
against the bringing in of supplies for
bootleggers and speakeasies.
washington would remain under the
VolStead law until some time in April
under the proposed liquor control plan
grated at the District Building, even
II Congress should act on the measure
IN It's present form early in January
Ihe proposed bill allows Is days within
Whlch the Commissioners could name
me Liquor Control Board, and allows
ment to consider and pass on appli-
cations for licenses.
:, Inc first public hearings on the
1quor control measure, which was
oratted ny Corporation Counsel Bride
ana MS principal assistant Vernon z.
west, will start before the Commits
sloners at 10 o'clock Friday morning.
Capitol Hearings Planned.
Chairman King of the Senate Dis
tIlcI committee also plans to hold
Senator said today the hearings at the
District Building, if they bring out q
complete and city-wide expression of
views. may have the effect of shorten
ing somewhat the Senate hearings. In
any event, however, he believes hear
ings before his committee following
those at the District Building will be
necessary. He pointed out, for exam
pie. that number of other methods of
control probably will be put forward
Tor consideration In addition to the
private license system embraced In the
District Building bill
Chairman Norton of the House Dis
trict Committee is arranging to have
the members of that committee indi-
vioually study the proposed local con-
troll plan during this month, with a
view to having the committee take ac-
ton as soon as Congress convenes on
January 8