Evening star., 1939-03-19
Citizens Favor
Reorganization
Referendum
Federation Also Asks
Congress Probe Of
D. c. Liquor Setup

49, ss4 WI SSN~F
Two proposals of paramount i'm
portance to the District-one con-
gressional investigation of the liquor
laws and the other a referendum on
any plan to reorganize the city gov
ernment-were made last night by
the Federation of Citizens Asso-
Citations.
Regarding liquor traffic, it was
suggested that the House District
Committee or a subcommittee inves-
tigate the regulations, including en-
forcement and violation of laws,
with view to amending, if neces-
sary. the statutes governing the sale
OF intoxicants.
In its reorganization proposal, the
Federation requested that whatever
plan to change the city government
is agreed upon in committee, should
be submitted to the citizenry for a
vote before being presented to Con-
gress in the form of legislation.
Stull Offers Liquor Proposal.
Harry N. Stull, chairman of the
Federation's Special Committee on
the Liquor Situation, submitted this
resolution, which received unani-
NOUS support:
THE Committee on the District
OF Columbia, or subcommittee
thereof, is authorized and directed
to conduct an investigation of the
present regulation of the liquor
traffic in the District of Columbia,
including the enforcement of all
laws and regulations and violations
thereof, with a view lin case the
evidence adduced justifies such
action) to recommending amend
ments to the present law governing
the sale of Intoxicating liquors in
the District which will improve
moral conditions generally in the
city, give protection to churches,
schools and residential areas, and
increase the revenues Of the
District"
The liquor resolution was drafted
after Mr.. Stulls committee con-
sidered the action of the Stanton
Park Citizens Association in indors-
ing House resolution sponsored by
Representative Harry R. Sheppard,
Democrat, OF California.
Mr.. Sheppard asked for an in
vestigation and study "of the ad-
visibility of the elimination OF the
present class A (off -sale) liquor
stores in the District and the estab-
lisnment of a sufficient number OF
LIQUOR stores to be owned by the
District for the purpose OF raising
revenue for support of the District
Government"
Dispensary System Possible.
Mr.. Stull's committee reported
that the Sheppard resolution is de-
signed to initiate an investigation
by Congress of class A liquor stores
with a view to substituting therefor
the so-called dispensary or mon
opoly system operated by the
municipality. :,
The federation committee pointed
out that in support of the Shepherd
resolution it was testified there have
been numerous violations OF the
LIQUOR laws and regulations by Glass
A dealers, particularly with refer
ence to telephone deliveries to
minors.
Further testimony was given, IT
rs said, that in comparison with
ktes which operate under the dis
kary system, the District Is loos-
huch needed revenue.
be opposing the Sheppard reso-
,s,1ss argued, the report stated,
that Fl sale dispensing has been
condut ted legally; that violations
have Il cen infrequent, and that de-
mails " kere made of statements that
frequer1t sales were made to minors.
The opponents of the resolution
also he. ID that dispensary system
would 81 politically dominated; that
the Legitimate investments in busi-
ness, rulhning into millions, would
be destroyed, and that many per-
sons would be thrown out of work
under the; dispensary set-up.
Phase of Resolution Hit.
The Stull resolution was offered
after a Recommendation that this
phase of the Sheppard resolution be
deleted: THAT for the purpose of
obtaining information necessary as
a basis for legislation, the committee
on the District of Columbia, as a
whole or by subcommittee, is author
lied and directed to conduct an in
vestigation and study of the ad-
visibility of tt e elimination of the
present Glass Al liquor stores in the
District and thH establishment of a
suf1icient numbeF of liquor stores to
be owned by the district of Columbia
for the purpose q raising revenue
for the support q the government
Of the District"
The resolution t put reorganiza-
ton of the District sgovernment to a
vote by the people Eas sponsored by
Thomas E. Lodge, 7Prmer federation
president and chair 3nan of special
] committee on reorg, Imitation.
Mr.. Lodge said THAT any plan to
ieorganize the District government
'hould be submitted to a vote. He
t'ointed out that more than one
organization plan is under con-
federation, but he argued that be-
tore any Of these is reduced to
,gislation, it should be voted on to
determine the sentiments of the
ICon pTT1ED E7NnInF ~. -