Evening star., 1934-01-07
FIGHT |SP[ANNED
IN TAKOMA PARK
TO KEEP AREADRy
Residents Recall Cutting Of
Wires to Stop Gambling
in Past.

In order 10 maintain the dry area
which has existed since the town was
founded so years ago, the citizens of
Takoma Park have renewed their fight
opposing the sale OF Intoxicating liquors
within its boundaries.
Toward this end the Citizens Asso-
citation of Takoma, District of Columbia
has adopted resolutions setting forth
Its attitude In the matter and at the
same time requesting that no intoxi-
eating liquor be permitted in the area
north of Underwood street and east of
Rock Creek Park extending to the Dis
trict line on the north and east.
Wires Cut to Stop Gambling.
Throughout the history of this suburb
the residents have eXerted every effort
to make it a quiet, law-abiding COM
munity for home owners, free from
saloons and gambling places Drastic
action and mass meetings many years
ago had the desired effect of upholding
the traditions Of the founders of the
town in this respect. On one occasion
the trolley wires and telegraph wires
were severed in order to prevent pa
irons visiting resort on the border OF
the town where racing results were
being received by wire and posted.
George E. Sullivan, chairman Of the
Laws and Legislation Committee Of the
Citizens Association of Takoma, Dis
trict Of Columbia, after action by the
association a few days ago, has for
warded copies of a resolution adopted
to the Federation of Citizens Associ-
ations, the District Commissioners and
"a fn frt
mitteeS of Congress opposing the bill
recently drafted by the District Com
misSioners.
The resolution recommends disap-
proval and rejection by Congress of the
bill controlling the manufacture, trans
portation, possession and sale Of alco-
holic beverages in the District, because
the proposals. in the opinion of the
committee, constitute a distinct back
ward step. and are so contrary to what
is requisite to deal with the subject
properly that the bill cannot, by
amendment, be made the basis for the
drafting Of a proper bill.
Inadequacies Listed.
Mr.. Sullivan says the Commissioners
bill is opposed to municipal diSpen-
Sary system, so essential to protect the
public against poisonous liquors. 1t is
also opposed to any enduring or de-
pendable protection being afforded by
legislation to any Of the established
residence communities in the District
and to prevention of drinking in public
places.
The BILL" continues Mr.. Sullivan,
''is still further opposed to complete
safeguards against the sale of intoxi-
eating liquors by the drink, advocating
dispense such liquors by the drink to
the public generally without regard to.
and independently Of, meals or hotel
accommodations, thereby in essence re-
creating or reviving the saloon"
The association recently went on
record opposing the return Of the sa
loon in any form anywhere in the Dis
trict and the sale of Intoxicating
liquors other than in bottles, and not
to be consumed on or in the vicinity
Of the premises where sold. but that
it may be served as part Of a meal
in any established hotel or restaurant.
In addition the association expressed
the belief it was a mistake to encour-
age or foster any increase in the de-
mand or appetite for alcoholic liquor
and accordingly opposed advertising
with regard 10 alcoholic liquor. The
association did however. favor with
drawal of liquor through the dispen-
sary system conducted by public au-
thorities.
Movie Censorship Sought.
Need for proper legislation providing
censorship of motion picture eXhibi-
tionS here is another subject receiving
attention of this association. The
absence of any dependable regulation
of motion picture exhibitions, either
through censorship, classification and
public labelling, has resulted in the as
Sociation adopting measures calling on
the District Commissioners and Con-
gress to remedy the situation. 1t pointed
out that it is practically impossible for
parents to afford any reasonable protec-
ton to their children from exhibitions
which are harmful to children.
The association advocates the early
drafting and adoption by Congress Of
legislation for the District which will
provide through censorship and COM
plete exclusion Of exhibitions which
should not be produced and also by
careful classification and public label
ing or allowable pictures so that the
nature and character of each exhibit
tion may be required to be publicly
declared. Through this process it is
claimed that persons attending an ex-
hibition may be able to decide for
themselves whether to attend such film
exhibition, or to allow their children
to do so.