The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-02-21
Control, Taxes Chief
 Features Of Hearing
Judiciary Committee Flooded With OratOry, Pro and
 Con on New State Liquor Legislation

lothef states are protecting their
 dealers."
 Lanrfa Speaks
 Es Mir Iaurla received an over IswheIming amount of applause
 when he arose to speak on behalf Of liquor in the tavernB. The ap- plause was 50 great and 50 pro- l longed ti1at 1t caused Senate Chair man J. Kenneth Bradley of Vest
 port to remark that the tavern keepers were apparently well rep- resented at the hearing.
 Mir Lauria launched into a lengthy discourse whichs was cut i short by Chairman Bradley who
 asked him to get down to the ques-' tion more closely. The speaker pointed out that the tavern owners have $3,5O0,0OO invested in the business fin Connecticut. He de-
 clared that 1t would be unfair 70 limit licenses at this dimc. '"The
 survival of the fittcst will take care
 of the elimination part of the
 question:" he stated.
 Senator Culhane urged county control of liquor. higher fees and a | limitation of the number of places where iiauor might De sold. He also agsailed the combination grocery package stores, declaring that licenses should be given only to stores dealing solely in liquor. He also attacked tho employing Of women in places where liquor Is dispensed.
 Protect WOmanlbOod Secretary. Smith brought forth ripple of laughter when he objected to having liquor drank In restau-
 rants and hotels in front of woe
 men. He then assallcd the plan of
 allowing sale Of liquor In such
 places. declaring that 1t will tend to Increase the number of drunken
 women. As he sat down he was boOed and Chairman Bradley was forced to rap for order.
 Attorney Hummei asked that
 tho clubs be given better laws an1 regulations in connection with the sale of alcoholic liquor. He pointed out that the present law has forced many social clubs to
 give up their permits because they do not conduct all-day, bona flde social clubs meet only in the eve-
 ming and on week-ends and are de- prived, of the opportunity Of get ting permits because they do not maintain permanent kitchens. Package Stores
 Other speakers of the afternoon
 included Attorney David E. Fitz- gerald of New Haven, who spoke for the tavern owners. and Attor-
 ncy Thomas J. Spcllacy, who rep-
 resented tho package store own CTS. Tho latter spoke in support of a bill which will exempt from prosecution those package store owners who operated on a drug
 store basis last year while an in-
 junction against the liquor con- trol commission was in force. Pas-
 sage Of the bill will save the pack age store owners their bonds and their permits. John J. Egan of the Connecticut Federation of Labor pleaded for liquor in the various places. Hc as well as the other
 speakers appeared to favor raising tho age minimum at which a per-
 son can buy liquor to 21 years.
 The present law says IS years of age. Closing Hours
 T AC @VhuIh VI VShNO VA
 which Secretary Smith is q mem-
 Der. opposed liquor. Indications following tho hearing were that
 state control will remain and that
 80 will local option. Liquor by the glass was practically assured for
 hotels and restaurants with
 strong possibility of that privilege
 being extended to the taverns. also.
 Attorney Leo J. Bowling of Hart
 ford, appearing for the restaurant owners, urged that they be given later hours in which to sell. Ge pointed out that many restaurants
 in the evening when theaters close. don't begin to serve until 10 o'clock While he did not specify any cer- tain hours he intimatcd that tho New York schedule of hours would be satisfactory. In New York tho restaurants and hotels serve until 2 or 2 o'clock In the morning.