Evening star., 1933-07-09
BEER SESSION
FEELERS OUT
in KENTUCKY
Governor Unwilling
to Include Repeal
in Call, However.
BY HARRY BLOOM.
Special DISPATCH to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
LOUISVILLE, KY, July Gov.
Ruby Laffoon this week sent up trial
balloons Tor a special session Of the
General Assembly for the purpose Of
taxing beer. 1t caused surprise, be-
cause the Governor has been saying
he would not call special session to
submit repeal of the eighteenth amend
ment. The reasons he gave were ap-
session. This is no time. he pointed
out. to burden the taxpayer with the
cost Of a legislative session when the
regular session is only six months away.
The vets, anxious as they are for a
State test on repeal, agreed with him.
Imagine the general surprise when
each of the States 1873 lawmakers re-
ceived a letter from Gov. Laffoon pro-
posing a special Assembly to enact beer
legislation, provided the legislators agree
to sit only 10 days and for their mileage
draw only actual travelling expenses.
The reaction went quite beyond any
thing that might have been expected.
Seventy-five per cent of the legislators
Immediately approved the Governors
idea for beCr taxation, but coupled 1t
with the suggestion that repeal be in
cluded in the call A number went the
Governor one better We'll serve with
out pay or mileage" they said, land
help him get beer taxes If he'll consent
to submit repeal"
Refuses to Include Repeal.
The Governor refused to include re-
peal submission in the call, declaring it
would complicate issues and might pro-
long the session unduly. Observers seem
to think that the Governor will yet
M 10 n Il.
Gated to more taxes from beer.
The apparent reason for his proposal
was the Court of Appeals decision
knocking out the S75 annual retailers
tax because beer is held a soft drink
within the meaning of the State pro-
hibition law. This decision. however
created no financial emergency. Until
this Spring, the State had not collected
this tax for IA years. And when it
did begin collection, it amounted only
to S130,000 While the refund of this
sum embarrassed some of the county
clerks who shared in the fees. it could
hardly be said to have created prob
lem for a state that spends about $780,
clear why legislation on this tax could
not have waited six months Just as
logically as submission of repeal.
Former United States Senator Ben
Williamson, Catlettsburg, recognized by
political foe and friend as sound and
capable, is slated to become public
works administrator for Kentucky. A
program for the States share of the
emergency road fund, amounting to
s7,5O0,0 600. is being worked out by the
State Highway Commission for early
submission to the Public Works Advisory
Committee One of the projects is ex-
pected to be a Sl,500.000 Vehicular
bridge across the Ohio River. at Owens
boro.
Mine Workers Invade State.
The aid and comfort given organized
labor under the industrial recovery act
has revived the old issues between op-
orator and miner in the coal fields OF
the State Encouraged by the laws
announcement in favor of collective
bargaining, the United Mine Workers
of America have again invaded the
State. The old animus between capi-
tai and labor bobbed up when Harlan
officials forbade the use of the court
house to a miners assemblage, but
the authorities relaxed sufficiently to
permit a meeting of 1900 in an open
field. Contrasted with the policy OF the
past two years. this was something OF
a concession. The rights of free speech
and free assemblage in these fields have
been more honored in the breach than
in the observance. In Hazard, how
ever, Mayor j. c. Steele was distinctly
sympathetic and for his aid in ar
ranging a meeting was accorded the
miners thanks.