Detroit evening times., 1945-02-04
Liquor SetuIp
Public
Aaron Institutes
Reforms in Stores
BY FRANZ NORRIS

BY FRANZ MORRIS
LANSING, FEB. 3-Michican's $
linpor control system. thor
problem Of every governor since
repesl. Is undergoing a gradual
change in polcy. and particularly
IN Spublic relations. IL was re-
ves1ed todsy
state stores are 20 return as
major outlets for public sale by
the bottle.
Enforcement of the rules curb
Ing saloons is 20 be in1~roYed by
doubling the number Of investi-
gators.
Whisky Is 10 be displayed to
the public. with prices clearly
marked. so that buyers in these
ratoned days will know quickly
the brands on hand
And The low salaries now being
paid are 10 be raised TO imp owe
morale and the caliber oi en-.
plcyes.
The transition is being HiairetIv-
cred by John Pat Aaron. the new
chairman, who moved 10 I b c
liquor commission al Gov. kelly'E
request with instructions 10 END
the fuInbiing that has made the
liquor system the most trouble
some division Of government
BACKED BY COMMISSION
Although he has been in office
only a few weeks. Aaron has
proved that the drifting policies
Of the past are 10 be replaced BY
firm and sensible administration
on q basis OF service 10 the
public"
He has the complete co-opers.
ton Of Commissioners Felix II. II.
Flynn and Theodore /. Fry, who
|, have been expressing their delight
that confusion is giving way ar
last 10 order.
AAron's first ma jor decision was
70 open more liquor stores. From
q political standpoint, this was
dangerous ground. for the drug.
Eists and shopkeeperS who have
liquor licenses make up formid-
-zSfE machine that has had almost
rictstorial powers in the past.
MoRH STORES OPENING
New state stores are being
opened in Detroit and outstste.
Others will be opened. Aaron said,
as Quickly as buildings can be
found. II vECEnt buildings are not
svsilable after the war, the state
win construct its owa,-
Aarons second move WAS tD
rescind the order by Gen. Louis
A. * unzig, business manager.
which permitted SDDs 10 hold
whisky on their shelves.
Kifnzig's order authorized mer-
chants 10 ration their supplies
over o two-week period.
Aaron ordered these outlets 10
sell their stocks 10 ell comers ard
hold nothing back.
SDD Licensees receive their
quotas from the state every two
veejSs. Even II they sell out dur
ing the fiSt day, they are no
1onser permitted to hold back
supplies.
FEW INVESTIGATIONS
The new chairman discovered
that enforcement Is seriously
Handicapped by lack Of investigs.
tors. There are only 80 in the
state and II of these are in
Wayne County. These men are
occupied most of the time by in
VeshgationS necessary when
licenses are sold They do not
have time TO check on Law viola
tions
y So Aaron has defied. the parsi-
fnonious policies Of the civil serv-
ice commission which controls the
state pay roll. and has ordered
employment of at least 35 more
Investigators.
Hereafter, whisky is 20 be dis
played in the liquor stores, with !
prices Clearly marked by large /.
tags on each bottle.
The rule was rescinded Friday. /
Beginning next week the shelves
tnnediately back Of the liquor
Etore counter will display the |
brands on hand.
COMPARES SALARIES
Although the Michigan Liquor
Control Commission Is one OF the
largest merchandising businesses
IN Ythe nation, with an annual |
turnover of SlO2 100000. Aaron |
| discovered II is paving It's head I
bookkeeper only $40 a week and /
that other employees get from Sl2O /
10 $40 a month.
He argued before the civil |
service commission that If head
bookkeeper is paid salary COM !
parable 10 such gigantic pri-
vately owned business. he would
be getting a. least $500 weekly
Despite screams from the civil
service commission. Aaron raised
the head bookkeeper 20 S4,500 a
year.
Aaron decided. TOO. that this
Si02 900. 600 business, which pro-
duces profit Of S24 600 900 snnu-
ally "a the state treasury. Is going
10 buy proper equipment for its
stores.
AnnRn AAtAg