Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-08-29
Maryland Studies
Changes in Liquor
Import Statutes

I'LL kSVla SuNuSsRSS
A Maryland law prohibiting any
one from bringing more than two
quarts of alcoholic beverages
month into the State for personal
use should be changed to conform
with that of the District and Vir-
ginia, legislators from Montgomery
and Prince Georges Counties said
today.
The District and Virginia each
permit importation of beverages in
quantities up to one gallon from
other Jurisdictions at any one time.
Maryland permits importation of
only one quart at a time and not
more than two in one month.
Anders R. Lofstrand, jr., chair
man of the Montgomery County
delegation to the General Assem-
bly,, and State Senator L. Harold
Sothoron of Prince Georges County
said they thought the Maryland law
causes confusion. Their legislative
delegations are studying the matter
to determine whether to take action
at the next session of the Legisla-
ture.
Tax Ruling Awaited.
This development occurred while
Montgomery County Liquor Board
officials awaited ruling from State
Controller James j. Lacy on whether
a State tax can be paid on pur-
chases outside the State in guam
titles of more than the law allows.
Although ruling on the legality
of this procedure was asked, county
officials already are permitting it.
A study of the law fails to disclose
any language permitting residents
to purchase excessive amounts of
alcoholic beverages elsewhere and
then pay the State tax at local dis
pensaries, such as is permitted in
Montgomery County.
James w. Gill, attorney for the
board, was instructed to seek such
a ruling at a meeting of the group
yesterday. Mr.. Gill was out of town
and did not attend the meeting.
The question arose after county
authorities warned of a crack
down" on unlawful imports.
Case Lots Cited.
States Attorney Walter w. Daw-
son of Montgomery County has
pointed out that he knows of many
people who buy a case of whisky in
Washington and who pay the Mary
land tax on it when they get into
the State. He indicated that such
action is permitted.
In announcing that Mr.. Gill has
been requested to seek a ruling on
the matter, Charles Buscher, gen.
eral manager of the county liquor
dispensary system, pointed out that
if the transportation of out-of-
State liquor into Maryland is made
legal by such method, the county
actually would make money.
He explained that if a person was
permitted to buy Maryland liquor
tax stamps for out-of State liquor
at county dispensary, the dis
pensary also would collect its sale
''markup" on the liquor.
Mr.. BuScher added that the
county dispensaries make as much
as 80 per cent profit on the sale of
some brands of alcoholic beverages
Use Tax Involved.
e,yo ~ y,0irfoI ont no I
unless purchases out-of-State were
declared to the controllers Office
the new use tax law, which went
into effect July /, would be violated
The sales tax for purchases with
in the State, had little effect on
sales at the four Montgomery Coun-
ty liquor dispensaries, Mr.. Buscher
said. Profits amounted to $50, $50
last month which is about the same
as the June figure and only $685.
less than in July, 1916. The dispen-
saries turned over to the State
$2,514 in sales tax receipts last
month, he said.
Earlier this week a Silver Spring
man was convicted in Silver Spring
Police Court on charges of trans
porting five fifths of whisky and
three cases of beer into the State
from Washington without paying
the Maryland tax.
Given Four Months in Jail.
The case involved Kimmon Jones
colored, of the 300 block of Richie
avenue, who was given a 5000 fine
or ordered to serve four months in
jail. He was released under $500
bond after noting an appeal.
Although Prince Georges County
residents are subject to the same
Maryland law prohibiting the illegal
transportation of liquor, no arrests
have been made in the county for
"at least year" according to Police
Supt. Ralph w. Brown.