Evening star., 1941-02-09
Citizens Vote
To Keep Sunday
Liquor Ban
Limit on Height
Of Booths Also Is
Favored by Group

mittee, the Federati N Citizens
Associations last nig-'' t ssed aside
a proposal to legalize me sale OF
liquor by the drink between mid.
night Saturday and 2 am Sunday.
and voted to abide by the present
regulation keeping the city dry on
the Sabbath.
The Federation acted at a special
session intended to dispose of all
of a number of proposed changes in
liquor control here. But after more
than three hours of debate, during
which several proposals were ap-
proved, it was decided to carry over
the liquor arguments until next
Saturdays meeting
After settling the matter of the
Sunday sales, the Federation went
on record:
F'avorlng a restriction on the
height of booths and benches in on
sale establishments.
Disappearing any proposals pro-
viding for additional appeals from
decisions. of the A. B. c. Board.
Beer at Cafeterias Urged.
Acquiescing in the proposal TO
permit liquor to be served to persons
seated at bars or counters, as well
as at tables.
Recommending that the laws be
amended so as TO allow service Of
beer and wine at cafeterias or SELF
service counters to customers along
with the sale of food.
1ndorsing a proposed regulat ation
providing for the complete elimina-
ton of handbills and circulars ad-
vertising alcoholic beverages.
And approving another proposed
regulation prohibiting the use of
false or misleading statements in
connection with the advertising Of
alcoholic beverages.
Most of the discussion dealt with
the Law and Legislation Committees
recommendation that the federation
accept proposal to permit hotels,
restaurants and other establishments
serving liquor to extend their week
end closing hour from midnight
Saturday to 2 am. Sunday.
DeDate is Heated.
The committees report pointed
out that at the present time. Glass
c and D establishments must cease
selling at midnight on Saturday.
This creates most undesirable con-
dition in that Washington residents
in many cases leave the supervised
local establishments and either re-
sort to the use of bottled intoxicants
or travel to adjoining Jurisdictions
/ where closing hours are unlimited
/ and supervision less stringent"
Debate on this phase became 80
heated and prolonged, that Harry
N. Stull, president, was obliged to
set time limit on arguments. Re-
! linquishing the chair to Mrs. Harvey
w. Wiley. Mr.. Stull took the floor
| to speak on the subject.
who asked for this changer"
questioned Mr.. Stull 1T was not
the citizens of the District. 1t was
the liquor dealers themselves-those
dealers who have had the ground
cut out from under them by cut
rate dealers-and who are now look
ing for a way to recoup."
Corbins Motion Wins.
Those favoring an extension of the
Saturday midnight deadline argued
that it was a lesser evil than having
persons shut out" only to move
on to nearby Maryland and Vir-
ginia and continue their drinking
in less desirable" places
George H. Corbin of Manor Park,
who led the faction against a change
in the Sunday law. and David Babp.
federation secretary, made pleas
against "desecration of the Sabbath"
by allowing liquor to be sold on
Sunday.
The question vas disposed of when
| the federation, by vote of 80 to
%, approved Mr.. Corbin's substi-
tute motion to retain the Saturday
midnight Closing hour, and not to
permit the sale of anything stronger
than beer or light wines before 8
am. Monday.
Limit on Height of Booths.
In taking its sympathetic stand
on the proposal to restrict the
height of booths, the federation
backed a plan to limit the height
of the rear portion Of booths and
benches IN liquor dispensing estab-
/ lishments to 18 inches from the
seat. so as TO make it possible for
the proprietor and his employees to
observe the conduct Of customers.
| In dealing with the matter of ap-
peals, it was noted that the Fed
Grafton has previously indicated that
| if the A. B. c. Act is to be amended
to provide appeals to District Court
by licensees and unsuccessful ap-
plicants from adverse decisions Of
the board, equal rights should be ac-
corded to protestants.'
Disposing of the question of over
counter drinking" the Fed
Grafton decided no harm would
result" from an amendment to per-
nit liquor to be served to persons
seated at bars or counters. The
practice of table service. it was
stated, "necessiates additional ex-
pense to the management and re-
quires tipping on the part of in
| dividuals who have chosen such
places because of the economy in
volved."
Before reSuming its consideration
of the proposed liquor changes, the
! Federation asked that a District
man, or a man with local back
ground" preferably one educated
here, be appointed to fill the now
existing vacancy on the bench Of
District Court. 1t was emphasized
that six of the justices are "out-
siders" and five are District men,"
and that a balance" should be pre-
served. 1t was explained that Pey-
ton Gordon, who retired last week,
had been educated in Washington
schools and had practiced here for
years before his appointment.
Increased House Blocked
The House Rules Committee yes
farJou Y1iooOn-hOIaJ hill -