Evening star., 1933-03-16
DISTRICT BEER BILL
DELAYED IN HOUSE
Likely to Be Deferred Until
National Legislation
Is Passed.

While sponsors of Washingtons own
beer legislation today took steps to have
Congress take speedy action. it appeared
likely that consideration will be de-
ferred at least until the national legis-
lation is cut Of the way.
Senator Harrison. Democrat. Of Mis-
sissippi, in charge Of the national beer
bill as chairman Of the Senate Finance
ommittee. said he did not want to have
the District beer bill attached to the
national legislation because 1t involves
regulations for distribution and sale
locally and he feared 1t would compli-
cate consideration Of the national bill.
Representative Palmisano, who intro
! duced the District beer bill. announced
he would press for earliest possible
action In the House and proposed that
an executive session of the District
Committee be held soon He believes
there will be no trouble in getting the
bill promptly reported and acted upon
by the House.
Plans Committee Session.
Meanwhile, Chairman Norton of the
House District Committee, directed that
meeting of the committee be held as
soon as the Republican members are
appointed. Chairman Smell of the Re-
publican Committee on Committees
promised the list would be completed
today.
Speaker Rainey and House Leader
ByrnS also promised to cooperate in
getting early action on the local bill,
and other House leaders, including Rep
resentative Mccormack OF Massachu-
setts have promised to help the District
Committee
Senator Robinson Of Arkansas. Demo-
cratic leader, said he had no personal
objection to consideration of the local
beer bill along with the national Iegis-
lation. but, when informed OF the atti-
tude OF Senator Harrison. said he would
follow the course favored by the latter
Lusk Urges Decision.
Speaker Rainey received a letter from
Rufus s: Lusk of the Crusaders, en-
phasizing the urgency for action on
the District bill.
When the Cullen national beer bill
becomes a law" Mr.. Lusk pointed out,
the status of the District of Columbia
in regard to the sale of beer Is uncer-
tain. Some lawyers say it can be sold
and others that 1t cannot. II the
Sheppard bone dry act is still the law,
beer cannot be sold in Washington un-
til that act Is repealed. A short delay
in the sale Of beer in Washington is Of
no great Importance, but 1t Is of the
utmost Importance that, when it is sold,
its sale shall be strictly regulated.
The Crusaders are primarily inter-
ested In the repeal Of the eighteenth
amendment. 1t might be a serious blow
to the cause of ratification if the unre-
stricted sale of beer In the District
were permitted"
When the District Committee is called
together. an explanation of the bill as
summarized by Corporation Counsel
w w. Bride. after conferences with
Chairman Norton, win be presented to
to the committee by Palmisano This
explanation Is, in part, as follows:
The District Commissioners would be
authorized to issue licenses to persons
firms, corporations or associations for
the sale of beverages within the District
and also would be authorized to employ
clerical and other assistance to inspect
and supervise the operation of licenses
under the act.
The bill would make 1t lawful for any
brewer or manufacturer to brew within
the District and sell to licensees any
beverage authorized by the laws of the
United States. A brewer would not be
permitted to sell to a consumer. but
must dispose Of his products solely to
the persons licensed under the act.
Standards Are Proposed.
Certain standards are proposed which
an applicant must meet before a license
may be issued.
The corporation counsel has suggested
certain changes in the composition of
the bill which do not change either
the language or purpose of the measure.
An applicant IS entitled to a license
for only one place of business. If a
man should own two or three restau-
rants. he would be permitted to sell the
beverage defined in this act at only one
place.
The applicant for a license must state
he will superintend In person the
management of the business licensed.
Inasmuch as corporations are entitled
to licenses under this measure, an
amendment is proposed that, in case
the applicant Is a corporation, the busi-
ness shall be under the supervision of
designated person.
Provide License Fees.
The bill provides for the kind OF IL
censes that may be issued and fixes the
license fees and the period Tor which
the license shall be good, unless revoked
by the Commissioners.
"On sale" licenses, which permit the
consumption of beverages on the prem
ises, are to be granted only to bona noe
restaurants, incorporated clubs and no
tells. The bill stipulates the manner IN
which beverages may be served and I'M
poses upon the Commissioners the duty
to inspect the premises. 1t gives the
Commissioners the right to revoke q
license after the hcensee has been given
an opportunity to be heard in defense.
There is, however. no expressed provl-
sion for the revelation Of an "off sale"
license The corporation counsel has
advised Chairman Norton that such
provision should be added.
The section flying the tax to be paid
on beer also provides that said tax
shall be paid on or before the 18th day
of each month, tor beverages sold to
or purchased by the hcensee during the
preceding calendar month" The cor
poration counsel has advised Mrs. Nor
ton that a substitute section should be
included, reading as follows
Tax Of S1.2o Proposed.
There shall be levied and collected
from each ucensee by the District OF
Columbia on all beverages sold to or
purchased by the licensee as authorized