Milford chronicle., 1933-03-24
ROOSEVELT SIGNS
BILL TO LEGALIZE
BEER ON APRIL 7
LConlinncd lrom Fha Paacl

raphcrs had set up their machines.
Stephen T. Early secretary
handed the bill to the President who
was seated at his regular place at
the head of the long narrow table
With pen in hand. Mr.. Roosevelt
scanned the six pages, then folded
over the last one and reached for
the ink.
| He used four pens in completing
| his signature. He directed that these
be given to the American Federation
of Labor and the American Legion,
which organizations had advocated
the legislation; to Representative
Cullen, of New York, author of the
bill; and to Senator Harrison, of
Mississippi, who as chairman of the
finance committee guided the meas
ure through the Senate.
Miss Marguerite LELAND, personal
secretary, picked up the pens and
saw to their distribution.
A delegation from the House
which carried the bill to the White
House observed the brief tableu
from the hall just outside the cabi-
net room. The group included Rep
resentativcs Parsons of Illinois,
chairman of the committee on en-
rolled bills; Cullen and O'COnnor,
of New York; Mccormack, of Massa-
chusetts, and SABBATH, of Illinois, all
Democrats. They were received by
the President Immediately after the
signing.
The beer bill became law just nine
DgngnunIt
mended it to Congress and while
workmcn were still busy knocking
down the inaugural stands along
Pennsylvania avenue.
The usual fOrmalitics employed by
Il President in sending new legisla-
ton to cabinet officers before sign
ing again was dispensed with by Mr..
Roosevelt. He is counting on about
$125, 100000 annually in revenue
from the tax on the brew and wine
and lie didn't lose minute in maxi
ing il law.
A tax of five dollars on each bar
rel of thirty-Onc gallons is levied; |
also Federal license fees of $1,000 |
will he required annually from each |
brewery: $50 from each wholesaler |
and $50 from every retailer.
The hccr and wine may be sold |
in the following II States as soon as
lcgaizcd: Arizona, California, Hi
nois. Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri,
Montana, Nevada, New Jersey. New
York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Wash
ingtOn and Wisconsin.
Il may be sold also in COnnccti-
cut. if an opinion expressed by Ken
meth Wynne. executive secretary to
Governor Wilbur L. Cross, is follow
ed. His Judgment was that sale of
he brew would be legal despite the
State enforcement act still on the
books, since that act only prohibits
sale of liquor held to be Intoxicating
jv Federal laws. lie said the Gov
ernor and others held his view.
With the legislation law, the
President sent note to Attorney
icncral Cummings asking a report |
ln the status of Federal prisoners
;Onvictcd of beer sales which would
low be legal The move was inter
,retcd as Indication of Il Presidential |
ntensiOn to pardon or parole these
prisoners.
Edward y. DunfOrd, attorney for
he Anti-SalOon League of America,
Immediately after the
igning that the cOnstitutionality OF
he law would be challenged when
he REQUISITE circumstances arise"
DR.. Clarence True Wilson, of the
Methodist Episcopal Board of Tenn
,erance and Public Morals previous
Y has asserted an injunction will
&c sought to block any sales.