Evening star., 1934-01-06
Congress of PIT. A. and
Civic Federation Present
Argument at Hearing.
BRIDE RESUMES STAND
ON COMMISSIONERS BILL
Discusses Licensing Section of Pro.
posal-Committee Members
Hint of Changes.

A statement urging Congress to con-
fine sale of hard liquors and high-per-
centage wine to Government dispen-
saries in package form, with hotels.
restaurants and clubs and grocery
stores permitted to sell light wines and
beer, was filed with the House and
Senate District Committees today when
the District liquor control hearings
were resumed at joint session.
The statement was filed on behalf of
Harry N. Stull, legislative chairman of
the Congress of Parents and Teachers.
and George w. Beasley, president of
the Federation of Civic Associations.
The statement outlining their views
was placed in the record by Senator
Carey of Wyoming, after which Corpo-
ration Counsel William w. Bride took
the stand and resumed his explanation
of the private license plan Of control
advocated by the District Commis-
sioners
Later in the hearing, Representative
Smith of Virginia, one of the last wit
nesses to be heard, charged that the
Commissioners bill would permit re-
turn of the saloon and its attendant
evils in modern form. Smith pleaded
with the joint committee members to
accept as a substitute his measure pro-
viding for the dispensary system.
Arguments Advanced.
The stull- Beasley petition contained
the following arguments:
ut Is obvious that the Government
dispensary method, as above suggested,
will have the following advantages over
other methods of distribution:
81. Official Government tests can be
made of all liquor sold to the public,
eliminating the danger caused by the
consumption Of inferior, adulterated
and poisonous liquor; 2, the possibility
of automobile accidents caused by in
toxicating liquor will be lessened, as the
liquor will be consumed largely at
homes. where the immediate need OF
transportation facilities is at a mini
num-
The statement also argued that the
dispensary system would facilitate col
lection of Federal taxes, eliminate more
effectively the bootlegger and prevent
the return of the saloon in the form
of restaurants, hotels and other public
places. 1t was also argued that ex-
perience in other countries has demon
strated that the dispensary method is
an effective solution of the problem.
A warning to liquor interests
throughout the country that unless
steps are taken to remedy complaints
against the quality of liquor offered for
sale, Congress will have to consider
drastic legislation on the subject was
sounded by Chairman Norton Of the
House District Committee.
After Bride had concluded several
hours of testimony, Chairman King OF
the Senate Committee read into the
record a telegram which Mrs. Norton
had sent to the National Retail Beer
and LIQUOR Dealers Association, hold
ing convention here this week.
Urges Strict Observance.
After regretting she would be un
able to attend the convention gather
ing last night. Mrs Norton in the tele-
gram urged liquor dealers to cooperate
with Congress in its desire to further
the cause of temperance by strict OBJ
servance of the national regulations
passed by the House yesterday. Con-
tinuing her telegram stated:
ALSO to assist the District Com
mittee in its efforts to pass legisla-
ion for the benefit of the people of
Washington.
May I, at this opportune time, call
to the attention of your association in
convention assembled in the Capital
City, the dissatisfaction being voiced
Continued on Page 2. Column So