The Daily Alaska empire., 1933-02-02
REVAMPING LIQUOR LAWS.

With modification or repeal of Federal Prohibit ton "just around the corner" various States are taking time by the forelock in the revampng of their liquor laws, for even the sale of beer and light wines will require regulation by the individual States In at least five States, Legsla- lures considering or have already acted. The policies proposed quite different ranging from a study of what it may be advisable to undertake, in Ohio, to plans in Indiana, New York and New Jersey to set up machinery to handle beer and wine by State control for the revenue that be in it. Other States have contented themselves with wping off their books existing legislation
 New Yorks program seems to have progressed farther than any of the other States and to be more definite. Coy. Lehman, who appointed seven out of it's nine members the other two having been selected by the Democratic majority leader in the Senate and the Republican Speaker in the Assembly, has instructed the State Liquor Commission to re- port not later than February 15. All of the mem bers are opposed to Prohibition, which of the principal qualifications deemed necessary for membership on the board The Governors seven selections persons remotely, if at a connected with politics Its mission is to draft recommenda- tons for legislation, to be enacted at the present session of the State Legislature for regulating the sale, manufacture distribution and taxation of beer and other intoxicating liquor, thus making it un- necessary for a special session to be called if Con- gress should take action after adjournment of the regular term
 Members of the Commission are: Mrs John s. Sheppard State Chairman of the Womens Organi- zation for National Prohibition Reform and author of the Sheppard Liquor Control Plan; Dr. Simon Flexner world famous scientist and director of the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research; Maj. Gen. John F. ORyan, former Commander of the New York National Guard; John Sullivan, Presi- dent of the State Federation of Labor Senator John F. Buckley appointed by Senator John J. Dunni- gan Democratic majority leader; former Judge William s. Andrews, one-time member of the Court of Appeals Thomas F. Conway, former Lieutenant Governor; Joseph S. Fischer, Vice-President of the Marine Trust Company; Assemblyman Harry F. Dunkel, appointed by Speaker Joseph A. McGinnies of the Assembly.
 Assemblyman Dunkel, Judge Andrews and Mrs. Sheppard Republicans. and the remaining mem bers chiefly Democrats of the independent type
 The Commission has large task ahead of it. Enforcement of existing legislation not only in New York but everywhere in the country is at a low ebb. Never have speakeasy proprietor and the forces back of him been compacent. These interests are under no illusion about the future. What they fear isn't too much regulation, for they know that the more restrictions put around egaliza tion measures the of his present patrons he will continue to draw customers The task of the Commission is to devise regulatory measures that will bring revenue into the States treasury, keep the restored liquor business out of the hands of schemers and under the control of honest, capable business men, to make it possible for hotel and restaurant owners and operators to at least meet the illegal competition that they to en- counter Bootlegging isn't going out of business overnight even when the Eighteenth Amendment is absolutely repealed The only way to end it is to make it unproftable. And New York other States also, will come nearer to complete by taking this into consideration than by taking it for granted that the illicit business will die of its own accord when Federal regulation and Prohibition cease.