Evening star., 1942-02-06
Liquor Consumption
Rate Here Is Called
One Of Highest in u. 5.
Senote Subcommittee
Hears Arguments on Bill
To Bon Price Advertising

Washington has one of the highest
per capita rates of liquor consump.
ton in the United States, a Senate
subcommittee was told today, as it
heard arguments for and against a
House-approved bill banning liquor
price advertising and extending the
dry zones around churches and GER
tain other institutions.
One group of wholesale and retail
liquor dealers, represented by At
torney F. Joseph Donohue. joined
with a number Of civic organiza-
tions in supporting the bill, while
the Commissioners were among q
number Of other witnesses opposed
to 1t.
After Senator Guffey, Democrat,
of Pennsylvania, had appeared as
the first opposition witness, charging
it would encourage bootlegging and
monopoly by raising prices, state
ments for the bill were filed by sew
eral other members Of Congress.
The bill would prohibit any new
licenses within 600 feet of churches,
schools, Fairgrounds, public libraries,
the Soldiers Home or the Navy
Yard. The present rule laid down
by the Commissioners Is 400 feet.
Civic Groups Support Bill.
Among the organizations sup
porting the bill were:
The District Congress Of Parents
and Teachers, which suggested also
that all applications for reissuance
of licenses within the restricted In
stitutional areas be denied.
The District Federation Of Wom-
ems Clubs, which Endorsed the bill
through Mrs. Ernest w. Howard
Mrs. Howard said the bill should be
considered from the standpoint of
the welfare of the people Of the
District.
Mr.. Donohue, who spoke for Mil
ton S. Kronheim and a number of
other dealers, quoted the House re-
port on the bill as declaring in
judicious advertising Of prices would
encourage and stimulate the already
high consumption Of alcoholic bever-
ages here.
Mr.. Donohue said it was incon-
ceivable to him that a person would
be induced to buy liquor by seeing
prices in a show window, which Dis
trict regulations already prohibit,
but not by reading the prices in
newspapers.
1893 Package Stores Here.
Mr.. Donohue said there are 1893
package stores here. but contended
limited number of cut-rate stores
are doing large part Of the busi-
ness. Questioned by Senator Clark,
Democrat, of Idaho, Mr.. Donohue
said the dealers he represent sell to
cut-rate stores as well as others, but
said these dealers favor the bill be-
cause they would rather have 1893
solvent retailers than 10 or Is doing
large business and the rest not
able to get along.
Senator Capper, Republican, of
Kansas asked Mr.. Donohue why
Washington should have such a
high per capita liquor consumption.
Mr.. Donohue said he thought there
are two reasons: First, because
Washington also ranks high in per
capita income tax payments and.
second, because of the large tourist
and transient population.
Senator Clark joined in to suggest
the higher per capita consumption
does not mean people ARE any
drunken here than elsewhere" Mr..
Donohue agreed, saying the District
has good enforcement Of regula-
tions.
Hotel Asks Amendment.
s. Milton Simpson, representing
the Hotel Statier Co., testified the
new Statler Hotel under construc-
ton at Sixteenth and K streets
NV. could not get liquor license
if the 600-foot law is enacted. He
asked for an amendment, pointing
out the hotel was started on the
basis of the present 400-foot rule,
and that millions have been in
vested.
Assistant Corporation Counsel
NCllolA WCoe PACoCheSA VIC SOAAA-
missioners' views.
Mr.. West said the provision Of
the House bill forbidding transfer
of any existing license for q place
within 600 feet Of the institutions
listed would give q monopoly for all
time to the owners Of these proper
ties now.
Harm to ID. C. Dealers Seen.
Mr.. West said the provision ap-
plies only to retail liquor stores and
would not prevent wholesalers and
manufacturers from advertising.
Even if applied to all groups, Mr..
West said. the Commissioners would
object because national concerns,
not licensed here, could still adver-
tise IN Washington, while District
concerns would be denied the same
right. It would discriminate against
District dealers, Mr.. West said.
The Commissioners, he said. feed