Evening star., 1934-01-07

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handling bottled liquor on the Senate
Committee than on the House side, but
whether it is strong enough to cause a
change in the private license bill ap-
peared doubtful Several members OF
the Senate Committee have indicated
a preference for some plan by which
the Government could hnadle the diStri-
button, either entirely or in combination
with sale by the drink in hotels and
restaurants.
Bride to Draft Amendment.
Corporation Counsel William w,
Bride was instructed by Chairman King
of the Senate Committee to prepare the
text of a proposed amendment which
would punish the buyer as well as the
seller of bootleg liquor. Senator King
thought it would be well to have such
an amendment ready to be considered
by the Senate Committee when it meets
to COVE over details of the bill after it
had been suggested by Miss Izora Scott
OF the W0man'S Christian Temperance
Union.
Another amendment which is expect
ed to be considered in the Senate COM
mittee would prohibit the granting of
licenses to liquor establishments within
600 feet of a church or school. The Ii
cense law in Washington before prohi-
bltion contained a restriction of 400
feet.
One Of two other amendments which
Senator Reynolds will offer will elimi-
nate the possibility of door-to door
solicitation for sale of liquor by not
allowing the granting Of licenses for
such SolicitatorS. The other would
place some limit on the length of time
within which a conviction on a felony
would operate to prohibit person from
getting a liquor license. 1t was brought
out in the testimony early yesterday
that as the bill is drawn, man who
had been convicted on a felony 80 or
more years ago would be denied IL
Cense even though he had lived down
his criminal record. One committee
member suggested five years might be a
reasonable time.
Many Witnesses Testify.
Between 10 o'clock yesterday morning
and $50 o'clock last night a score of
witnesses, representing largely civic or
trade organizations, appeared before the
Joint committee, with the issue OF prl-
vate license or Government dispensary
as the main topic of discussion. Spokes-
men for several business groups. such
as druggists. grocerS and restaurants,
expressed preference for the private IL
cense system in the Commissioners
bill, suggesting only minor amendments.
Among the speakers for civic groups
however. there were many who strongly
advocated at least partial adoption OF
the diSpensary plan. even though some
restricted method Of sale in restaurants
might be coupled with 1t.
Counsel mao
concluded lengthy explanation of the
private license plan Of the Commission
ers, Representative Smith, Democrat,
of Virginia, opened the fight for the
dispensary system. He is the author OF
a bill providing for dispensary system
modelled after that in operation In the
province of Quebec.
Smith made a bitter attack on the
private license system as recommended
by the Commissioners. and charged It
would result IN the return of the sa-
loon and its attendant evils In modern
form. He urged the committees to &C
Cept as a substitute his bill for dis
pensary system. The private profit sale
by the drink plall of the Commission
ers, Smith predicted. would lead to the
establishment of modern bar rooms in
chain drug stores, 10-cent stores and
other places which have lunch counters.
Such places coulu comply with the res
taurant provisions of the Commission
ers' bill by the simple expedient Of
erecting a partition around their lunch
counters Others however, contended
such partitions would not bring such
places into strict compliance with the
restaurant provision.
Would Prevent Private Sale.
Smiths bill, which he outlined
briefly would set up a strict system of
municipal control of hard liquor and
prevent its sale in any private estab-