Evening star., 1934-08-22
PROHIBITION TEST
IN TAKOMA DENIED
Mrs. Nash Pollock Declares
Ban on Sales in Home
Area Is Big Issue.

The referendum in Takoma. D. c.,
September IL on the granting Of
liquor licenses is not in reality for or
against prohibition, but purely a ques-
ton of local option by a home COM
munity," Mrs. Nash NJ Pollock, mo-
ton picture director Of the District
Federation of Women's Clubs, declared
last night in a broadcast over WJSV.
Mrs. Pollock, a resident of Takoma,
cited a number Of reasons why she
would vote against the licensing of
liquor dealers in that area, and at
tempted to answer some of the argu-
ments advanced in favor of a wet"
community.
Dual Purpose.
"The referendum is designed to serve
q double purpose" Mrs. Pollock de-
clared. First, as an adviser of COM
munity sentiment to guide the Com
missioners in determining their policy
as to the granting of alcoholic bever-
age licenses. and, secondly, as a test
of interest of the citizens in public
affairs, with a view to the use of
similar methods to gauge local senti-
ment upon other questions. So there
is double incentive for every quail
fed voter to go to the polls and vote
his or her sentiments on the question
of beverage licenses and at the same
time show that District residents are
really interested in public questions"
Please remember" she continued,
shat this referendum is not in reality
for or against prohibition. This is
purely question of local option by a
home community specifically author
lied by law. Many people who are
not prohibitionists either in their per-
sonal beliefs or habits agree that the
sales Of alcoholic beverages should be
confined to the downtown business
districts and that sales should not be
permitted in a residential home COM
munity such as Takoma
Tempt Youngsters.
Many such people profess their be-
lief in the necessity for proper edu-
cation of the young against the use
OF alcoholic beverages and recognize
an elevating environment as first
essential of such education. Constant
presence in the home neighborhood
Of liquor-selling places, with their at
tractive display of bottled goods, are
generally conceded to make a far more
tempting appeal to the young people
than similar displays downtown.
II will vote against making Takoma
a liquor center for the surrounding
territory. I will vote against drawing
iy1fa ,aio 4N
homes undesirables from other sec
tions. A vote against license is our
only safeguard against such invasion
Of our community"
Mrs. Pollock also declared her vote
would be to protect the young people
from having this temptation in their
home neighborhood.
Reasons Against Beer.
There are those who say, Why
not keep out hard liquor and permit
the sale of beer? she said. They
say, What's wrong with beer?' Well,
] am going to vote against beer for
some well-founded reasons.
First, it is an entering wedge both
socially and by personal appetite for
other liquors. Second, beer license
permits the sale also of wines with
as high an alcoholic content as IA
per cent and moreover permits the
sale OF ale, a powerful alcoholic
drink.
Control boards throughout the
country admit that ale is upsetting
their theories of beverage control. A
large amount of drunken automobile
driving and other drunkenness, OBJ
served outside cocktail rooms, is said
to be due to ale. Recently a drunken
driver was heard to say he had Just
had a glass of beer A little later
1t developed he had had several drinks
Of ale"