Evening star., 1933-12-15
Board of Three Would Be
Appointed, With Woman
Member Probable.
SCHOOL ZONE PLAN
MAY BE INCLUDED
Donovan Begins Study of Possible
Revenues to Be Derived From
License Fees and Tax.

Final authority over the licensing and
regulation of the liquor business in the
District generally would be put in the
hands of the Commissioners, under the
draft of legislation now being prepared,
1t was stated today.
An Alcoholic Liquor Control Board
OF three members would be appointed,
but the Commissioners would have au-
thority over the actions of the Control
Board, it was explained.
The Commissioners believe they would
have at least large part of the respon-
sibility in any case and feel, therefore,
they should be vested with all necessary
authority over regulations other than
the actual provisions of the law itself.
The Commissioners have in mind
provision for one woman member of the
Control Board, but 1t was indicated
today this point has not yet been set
tied definitely.
Plan of Enforcement.
As work on the drafting of the Com
miSsioners' bill proceeded it was re-
vealed that plans call for the placing of
enforcement of the law, to a major
degree, at least, in the hands of the
District corporation counsers Office,
rather than with the United States
district attorney.
This could be done if penalties for
infractions of the law were limited to
misdemeanors, with the maximum pun
ishment limited to 81 900 fine or a
year of Imprisonment. If infractions
are to be classified as felonies, however,
such prosecutions would go to the
United States attorneys Office, since
members of the corporation counsel's
Office are not permitted, under the Dis
jury.
There will be some provision in the
measure, it was indicated today, pro-
hibiting the licensing Of liquor selling
place within a certain distance from
schools, possibly 200 feet, but decision
has not been reached on this point
Whether the same restrictions would
be applied to places near churches, at
least those in the downtown or Other
business sections, has not been deter
mined.
Revenues Are Considered.
Maj. Daniel j. Donovan, District au-
d1tor, today began q study Of the pos
sible revenues to be derived from Ii
cense fees and sales taxes. Commis-
olo4lc1 1cOlsc =. A1cll, WHO Is super
vising preparation of the measure,
hopes to keep the fees and taxes as
low as possible SO as to avoid stimula-
ton Of the operations of bootleggers.
Donovan, merely as q starting point
IN his study. will gather data based on
the license fees and sales taxes in Mont
gomery County and estimates of the
expected consumption of wine, beer and
spirits in the District.
Commissioner Allen indicated today
that there would be no ban in the pro-
posed law against treating" this mat
ter to be left to Commissioners regu-
lations if such restriction is found
needed
The measure, it is believed, will con-
tain a clause prohibiting drinking in
any public places except licensed estab-
hshments.
There will be no prohibition in the
law against buying drinks on credit
and ban written into the original
draft OF the proposed measure against
the mixing of drinks in licensed places
In the presence of patrons will be elimi-
mated from the law.
The typing of the sections of the
measure already agreed upon in
formally by the Commissioners now
has been begun by the staff of Corpo-
ration Counsel w. w. Bride. Oficials
hope to complete the draft early next
week.