Evening star., 1933-09-26
BY WILLIAM PHELPS EMO.

BY WILLIAM PHELPS EMO.
Liquor will soon be under State con-
troll and when 1t is, what can We dc
to prevent the abuses which caused
, prohibition and those which prohibition
caused?
In all probability, each State will ap-
point a liquor commission with power
and the Federal Government will ap-
point one also for the District Of Co.
lun,bia with branches for territories and
insular possessions. 1t Is important
that a sound and reasonable system be
adopted by one or more OF the States
as an example for the others. II the
Federal Government co-operates 1t VIII
hasten practical uniformity on funda-
mentals.
Each liquor commission should be
! composed of high-grade men, not con-
nected with the liquor business and not
politicians. who would have the confi'
dence of the public.
! Each LIQUOR Commission should have
! entire charge of the liquor question
within its jurisdiction and adopt
system which will assure. frst: Tenn
perance by reasonable regulatlon
government standard OF purity ana eo'
ucation and second: Revenue py
scientific taxation calculated TO ylelc
as much as possible without encour-
aging smuggling or Illicit and nome
manufacture.
Experiences Of Others.
It is better to profit when practical
by the experience Of others than to
DELAY while we gain our own. Let Us
consider systems already tested:
The Quebec System.-The dinerent
( Canadian systems, especially tnat o.
Quebec, have done well IN Canaoa
but are unsuited to our needs because
our Government would have TO engage
in the liquor business.
dinayian systems have been varyingly
successful. The Bratt system, the old
F., est of all and the one which savec
Sweden from prohibition, is still prob.
| ably the best, and, If We are to adop,
a tested system. it is suggested tina,
the Bratt System, unchanged, be pu'
| on trial long enough to test Its oil
ferent features. Then we can 1ntelll'
| gently consider revising it.
A Suggested Plan.
A suggested system, suitable for STATE
and Federal adoption, with temperance
by reasonable regulation, and Govern
ment standard of purity might be con-
sidered in embracing the following
! points: Nothing to be imported
manufactured or sold not up to Fed
eral Government standard OF purity
containers to have Federal labels
giving percentage of alcohol, sugar ane
other ingredients makers name. place
and date of manufacture and bottnng
sale in original packages to hotels, res
taurants. clubs, taverns, beer gardens
concert halls, passenger transportatlor
companies and to individuals for home
consumption, to be through sales COM
panies authorized by Liquor Commits
sion to sell between certain hours
except on Saturdays. Sundays and hon'
days. The net profit to sales companies
to be limited to say 6 per cent as II
Sweden-the balance to go to Govern
ment having jurisdiction.
Nothing in this paragraph, however
should prevent hotels, restaurants
clubs, taverns, beer gardens, concert
halls, passenger transportation COM
panies and individuals for home con-
sumption from purchasing direct from
distillers, brewers and wine manufac-
turers in this country and abroad, pro-
vided the excise tax and import duty
are satisfied.
In all cases, State Liquor Commis.
sions should have jurisdiction except
in the District Of Columbia, territories
and insular possessions where Federa
Liquor Commission should have Jurls'
diction.
If advisable later (but only after 9
reasonably long triaD sales in orlgna
packages to be recorded on card obtain
able at reasonable charge by persons
duly vouched for by reputable citizens
record being made of sales for Govern
ment reference, as check on unreason-
able purchases, based on number OF per-
sons residing in or visiting residence OF
card holder, but not SO as to restrict pur-
chases in quantities unless 1t Is known
that card holder is purchasing for re-
sale. Resales to be at public auction
under control of Liquor Commission
card holders only allowed to purchase
records being made of purchases a.
though from duly authorized sales com
panies. This is similar to Swedish pian
except the latter applies to dlstlllec
liquors and the heavier wines.
Sale at Meals.
Hotels. restaurants and clubs, vouchet
for by reputable citizens, and passen'
ger TRANSPORTATION companies would bt
licensed by Liquor Commission 10 SCI
with evening meals. say between 4 anc
10 pm, or between and IL pm, as
may be decided.
Sale at Taverns.
Beer bars as now licensed constitute
a grave danger because the interiors
are hidden from view and many Of
them are already merely screens fol
speakeasies and gathering places fol
criminals.
Taverns similar to those Of the Car
Isle plan in England should be estab.
lished and licensed by liquor commits.
sions in such communities as request
them.
Taverns should preferably occupy new
buildings planned and built for the
purpose or old buildings satisfactorily
altered. Where possible they should
be on street corners where the view
from outside will be practically unob-
structed. There should be no private
rooms or back parlors like those in the
old saloons. The owner or lessee
should qualify as to character, ETC., ano
be responsible to Liquor Commission
sanitary and otherwise satisfactory
condition. Taverns should not be toe
close together nor should there be toe
many of them. They should be located
however, where they will be convenient
to citizens living nearby, and should bt
Of high character and numerous enough
to provide for reasonable demand.
Food and beverages should be sold
but beverages containing alcohol shoulc
be restricted as to percentage OF alco'
hol, profit allowed (small anyO ane
hours of sale. Non-gambling game!
should be encouraged and periodical.
furnished and any other things dons
calculated to make the taverns attrac-
tive, subject to approval of Liquor Com