Evening star., 1943-12-01
Cochran Warns
District 10 Settle
Liquor Problem
Says Officials Will
Hear From Congress
If Action Is Delayed

Hear from Congress
If Action Is Delayed
Warning that the Alcoholic Bev-
erage Control Board and the District
Commissioners are going to hear
from Congress if the liquor problem
is not settled, and settled in a
hurry" was voiced today by Repre-
sentative Cochran, Democrat, Of
Missouri
Meanwhile. Chairman Van Nuys
OF the Senate subcommittee investi-
eating the liquor industry, planned
to confer this afternoon with Chair
man Thomas E. Lodge of the ABC
Board to discuss plans for CO.
operating in the inquiry.
Senator Van Nuys has emphasized,
however, that the investigation is
to be national in scope and that
any attention given the local situa-
ton will be merely for the purpose
OF obtaining information on the
problem as it applies to the country
as whole
Follows Up Discussion.
Following up his discussion of the
District liquor problem in the House
yesterday, Mr.. Cochran said the
statements of James Collif1oWer and
Commissioner Mason confirmed his
assertion that a citizens committee
OF which Mr.. CollihoWer is a MEM
Der had not received cooperation
from the Commissioners in their
desire to be of help in alleviating
the LIQUOR situation in Washington.
Il did not say that the Commits
sioners had refused to see the COM
mittee,' Mr.. Cochran continued. 7
did say they offered no co-oDera-
ton. Mr.. Colliflower said at no time
was there any indication Of Com
missioner Masons refusal to hear
their story or to cooperate Fur
ther. Mr. Colliflower said he CMr.
Mason did say he appreciated the
interest and offer Of the committee
to assist and stated further if at
any time the Commissioners desired
their aid he would call on them"
Reply to Query.
Representative Cochran pointed
out that, in reply to the query of
the Citizens Committee, What can
We do?" Commissioner Mason out
lined the situation to the committee
and advised its members that, in
his opinion, at the present time there
was nothing they could do.
He was further quoted" Mr..
Cochran said, 'as saying the liquor
dealers were trying to toss the
problem into the lap OF the Com
missioners and that the Commis-
sioners aren't having il
Representative Cochran empla-
sized that 1T is not the LIQUOR
dealers who are tossing the prcnlem
into the Commissioners lap II was
the Congress when it created the
Alcoholic Board, which is subordi-
nate to the Commissioners.
Warns Commissioners.
He warned the Commissioners
that they must act now and that
they ARE not going to be able TO
handle this matter with kid gloves.
The ABC Board and the District
Commissioners are going to have to
carry the ball by adopting regula-
tions that will guarantee proper
enforcement of liquor laws"
MI. Cochran assured the public
that if the ABC Beard lacks the
power properly to regulate the liouor
traffic in Washington Congress viii
take care of the situation if the
board lists what additional powers
it desires md can j. ..:.iiy It's r1qvest.
AS to Ccmmis,.C-er Ncscn. 7.r.
Cochran said that he m2aeS a mis-
take when he tells citizens COM
mittee there is nothing it can de-"
Representative Stefan, Republican,
OF Nebraska joined Mr.. Cochran IN
airing charges in the House yes
terday that the Districts liquor sup
plies are being raided by outsiders
who pay more than ceiling prices.
Comes in and Goes Out.
Representative Cochran touched
of the renewed attack on the ques-
tion by declaring. during House con-
sideration of other National Capital
matters that liquor comes in here
and it gees out and unless somebody
violated the ceiling prices it would
not 60 out"
He added that he had been told
that officials of two States, mot far
from Washington" had instruc. cd
other officials to go out and get
liquor and bring it here, no mater
from where" He said later the
States were neither Maryland nor
Virginia and declined to specify
since he had not had time to check
the reports, but added he was con-
vinced there we're black market
operations with District supplies
being carted out of town on trucks.
Mr., Stefan told the House he
agreed with Mr.. Cochrans state
mentS.
Mason Explains Stand.
After yesterdays House discussion,
Commissioner Mason said he had at
tended dinner meeting of the citi-
zens' committee at its request. held
last week at the Mayflower Hotel.
He said he outlined his personal
views, suggested that some efforts
apparently were being made to toss
the liquor problem into the Com
missioners lap, and had explained
the Commissioners had no authority
over liquor rationing.
Later Mr.. CollifloWer issued a
statement saying committee spokes-
men had invited Mr. Mason to the
meeting, that he had attended the
session, that problems were dis
cussed and that the Commissioner
had voiced appreciation of the offer
Of cooperation and that he would
call on the group if the occasion
arose
The A. B. c. Board has been holding
conferences for several weeks with
various components of the liquor in
dustry. A. B. c. officials said several
more meetings would be held with
industry representatives before rec
concentrations are placed before the
Commissioners.