Evening star., 1934-01-13

lumbia Federal laws which prevent
possession OF liquor on military reser-
yationS and which restrict its use by
military personnel.
The Senate Committee made no
changes III the tax rates OF the House
bill This means that whisky will
carry a local tax Of so cents gallon,
in addition TO the Federal tax OF 81 a
gallon. In Maryland the State tax is
Sl.l0 a gallon, in addition to the 81
Federal tax.
As d move to encourage the use OF
beer and light wines il preference to
hard liquor. the bill places no tax on
beer or wine Of less than IA per cent
alcoholic content. At present there is
a tax Of 81 barrel on 80 beer in
the District. Wine above IA per cent
alcoholic content will bear a tax Of
80 cents a gallon and champagne. SO
cents a gallon.
The committee made no changes to-
day III amendments agreed TO yester-
day. A few changes in phraseology
were made this morning merely TO
clarity the text.
Number of Rooms Boosted.
In the early consideration Of the
bill Thursday amendments were adopt
ed putting back to so the minimum
number Of rooms hotels must have TO
get at liquor license. The House bill
reduced it to 80 rooms. The Senate
Committee restored the power OF the
Commissioners to limit the number OF
licenses 10 be issued whenever they
deem it necessary in the public IN
tereSts
One OF the most important changes
made by the Senate Committee was
to put back in the bill a ban against
drinking on the streets or other public
places. Under the House bill. per-
son could have walked out OF store
with a bottle Of liquor and consumed
it on the sidewalk.
The Commissioners are given power
to establish restricted zones near
churches. schools and other public in
stitutions. but there remains in the
bill the House provision that business
places established prior to April 3,
1888. would be able to get licenses IN
these areas.
The bill requires rejection of an ap-
plicatiOn for license if owners OF a
majority OF the property within 800
feet object. but there is provlso that
if no objection is raised against the
original granting of the license, the
adjoining property owners cannot pre-
vent renewal of the license in subse-
quent years. if the place has peen
properly conducted in the meantime.
The board would have discretionary
power to determine whether licenses
| should be renewed.
Among other changes made by the
| rom nnittpa Yesterday were.
Salaries of the Liquor Control Board
| members were reduced from S6.OOO to
| SIS 900 a year less the Is per cent pay
| cut. and the Commissioners were given
power to remove board members at any
| time. although they will be appointed
| for definite terms.
The requirement that one of the
| three members must be woman was
! stricken out. This would give the
| Commissioners discretionary power to
name one or more women. but 1t is eX-
| pected a fight will be made in the Sen
| ate or in conference to restore the
| original proviSo.
The House bill prohibited persons
who have been convicted of. felonles
| from obtaining liquor licenses. The
Senate committee modified this to ap-
| ply to convictions within period OF
| 10 years, but extended the ban to apply
! also to those convicted OF mlSdemean-
OrS under the VolStead law.
McCarran Plan Rejected.
The committee rejected a suggestion
| by Senator McCarran of Nevada which
would have removed the requirement
that members of the Control Board
must have been residents of the Dis
| trict for three years preceding ap-
! pointment