The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-02-21
WETC-DRYC HAD BATTLE ROYAL
 OVER CONTROL
Several Times the Session Became Unruly--Every.
 body Did Some Talking
By GEORGE R. MORRIS. JR. Limited Press Stan COrrespondent)

BY 4HOk1HE lts mOAtkthoe OkNs III (United Press Stan COrrespondent) Hartford, Conn, Feb 2l.--(UP) --The bogey of the old-fashioned corner saloon today stood as a sig niiicant threat against llheraiiZing the states liquor control act to let down the bars on the sale of liquor by the drink. Even more demonstrative than two years ago when they brought their lunches, sang hymns and prayed, dry forces battled through out the general asBembly's judi ciary committee hearing late yeS- terday to retain the present sys- tenn.
 Several times the hearing be- came 50 unruly that Chairman J. Kenneth Bradley threatened to ad- journ the session.
 LIquor interest appeared cn-
 masse and rubbed elbows with the council of twelve. wearing white ribbons on which was inscribed
 Sober, Sane, Safe Connecticut" Angry glances and angry words were exchanged.
 The greatest fear of the drys was I lished on its old basis.
 Any place where liquor is sold by the drink for consumption on the premises is a saloon," insisted Herbert Smith, Waterbury, appear ing for the State Council of Churches and Religious Education. eve have found by experience the people will get, and are getting. liduor by the drink" answered Lieutenant Governor Frank Hayes. "The man on the street demands that he should be able to get drink without the subterfuge of Q sandwich"
 He warned that if the law was not amended "you're going to per- petuate the speakeasy." A single note of accord was struck when Chairman Bradley. at the start of the hearing. promised that sales to minors would be pro- hibited and also sales on Sundays. Both sides cheered.
 A moment later the drys were off to a flying start in their denuncia- tion of the proposed amendments.
 The Rev l.. F. Werley. New Ha- ven, characterized "the whole liquor question as trail of broken promises"
 The Rev Joseph Swayne, sey- mour, who said he represented 4,000 young people, said the work ing people were being exploited "by selfish selling interests and if you are interested in the welfare of the working people you will get the young people jobs and something to eat"
 The Rev F. c. Williams, New Haven, charged restaurants were | the worst kind of businesses" and that liquor was being sold to boys and girls "behind the protection | of a screen"
 The council of twelve, represent | ing every known temperance or- ganization, offered a six-point pro- l gram calling for rejection of pro- Dosals to sell by the drink, pro- hibiting Sunday sales, retention of state control, abolishing screens in grills, refusal of sales to per- sons under 21 years and prohibit ing liauor establishments within 200 feet of a church or public in- stitution.
 The liquor interests monopolized the oratory.
 eve want people to get Q drink where they want to, when they want and how they want" de- clared Lewis Lauria, of the Beer, Wine and Liquor Dealers associa- tion. .
 He declared the control act en- couraged bootlegging and the state lost $2,O00, 900 in revenue last year | through illicit channels.
 Labor made plea flor "the | ..o,I>tnr y,p fhrOiI0h IOhn II Eean, secretary of the Connecti- | cut Federation of Labor who urged | the right to buy a drink 'any place and any time within the confines of ! decency."
 David E. Fitzgerald, New Haven, ''The Little Giant" of the demp- cratic organization, asserted linen are going te get liquor. If they can't get it legally, they'll get it illegally"
 It generally was conceded there would be liberal change in the law, perhaps to permit sales by the drink in hotels. restaurants and clubs with meals.
 Tavern owners want the same privileges and also the sole right to dispense draught beer. They aim to crack down on the chain stores and groceries which now are permitted to sell bottled goods.
 The major consideration in drafting an amendment will be whether the county commissioners shall dispense licenses or the state control board.
 House Leader Daniel r. Hickey, at Bridgeport meeting last night. hinted there might be a new setup whereby a$pecial permit would be granted to certain places to sell liquor by the drink. Only select taverns would be considered.