Evening star., 1949-02-05

Soon on Club Sale Of
Liquor in Montgomery
The Montgomery County legisla-
tive delegation is expected to de-
eide next week whether to support
proposal to permit county vet
erans' organizations to sell liquor
in their clubhouses.
This was indicated after a 31s-
hour hearing last night, during
which sponsors of the plan termed
the present law restrictive and dis
criminatory" while opponents con-
demned liquor as a disease which
destroys our youth"
More than 600 persons crowded
into the Silver Spring intermediate
School to hear the arguments.
The proposed legislation, which is
backed by the four American Le-
gion and Veterans of Foreign Wars
posts in the county. would permit
congressionally chartered veterans
groups, with a national membership
of 100000 or more to obtain licenses
to sell liquor in their clubhouses.
In addition, the clubs would be
to have at least 100 active
a clubhouse valued at
$4,000 or more and would have to
have been in operation at least
three years.
"Dry Areas" Exempted.
Exempted from the measure would
be Takoma Park, Kensington and
all dry" areas in the county.
If the bill is approved by the Cen
eral Assembly, 30 per cent of the
voters in an election district lin
which veterans club is located
could force a referendum on the
question at the next genera! elec-
ton.
Ralph G. Shure, representing the
Silver Spring Post, Veterans of For
eign Wars, said that eight country
clubs and two restaurants in the
county now have liquor permits.
A former trial magistrate for Sill
yer Spring and Takoma Park, Mr..
Shure called for IAN end to the
present restrictive law under which
persons of means can get liquor in
country clubs while veterans can't
do the same in their olubhouses.
Mr.. Shure said that during his Il
years experience as an attorney and
trial magistrate, he had found
cases do not result
from drinking in clubs.
Tells of Planned Clubhouse.
He was echoed by Alger Y. Barbee,
trial magistrate at Rockville, who
claimed practically all drunkenness
cases coming before him are caused
by drinking from a bottle outside a
tavern or in an automobile"
Benjamin B. Newton, member
of the Montgomery County Post.
Veterans of Foreign Wars, in Be-
thesda, said his group plans to open
a clubhouse soon on property at
Montrose on the Rockville pike and
the sale of liquor there would help
pay for its operation.
He said the club planned to open
its facilities to boys and girls. Dele
gate r. Duncan Clark asked if the
bar would be closed when children
were in the club.
Mr.. Newton replied in the affirma-
tive and Joseph D. Buscher, who
acted as chairman for the various
veterans groups, offered to write
such a provision in the bill.
Others speaking for the measure
included James c. Christopher, for
mer trial magistrate at Bethesda
and a member of the Veterans of
Foreign Wars and American Legion
in Bethesda; William Greenville,
also representing both organizations;
A. A. Magee, past president of the
Bethesda Chamber of Commerce and
a member of the Veterans of Foreign
Wars; Walter Davis, American Le-
gion Post in Silver Spring, and DR..
Merrill Cross. Veterans of Foreign
Wars in Silver Spring.
Edwards Heads Opposition.
The opposition, many of whom
were ministers, was headed by the
Rev. P. c. Edwards, pastor of the
Woodside Methodist Church, Silver
Spring.
Mr.. Edwards predicted that if the
bill is approved it would open the
way for similar demands by other
groups.
They, too, would describe the
law as discriminatory" he said
"and would seek passage of legisla-
ton to include them, until our
entire liquor control system breaks
down"
The description of liquor as a
disease was furnished by Mrs.
John H. Werner, member of the
Civic Committee, Bethesda Council
OF Churches. She said, however,
she was against legal prohibition. u
Il oppose liquor in country clubs,
too" she asserted, "but the fact it
is sold there is no reason to extend
1t to veterans clubs"
The Rev. Frank Brasington, pas
tor of the First Baptist Church,
Silver Spring, recalled the evils
he said he had seen result from
liquor during his experience as an
Army chaplain. He insisted liquor
is unnecessary for the operation
of Well-organized veterans club.
At least six veterans added their
voices to those protesting against
the proposal. One suggested that
proponents of the bill put into the
mortgage funds of their clubs the
money they would have spent on
liquor.
Another said he had liquor in his
home but saw no need for it in vet
erans' clubs, while a third presented
a petition signed by 108 veterans in
the county opposing the measure.
Others speaking against it in
cluded DR.. Charles Longacre, de-
partmental secretary of the General
Conference of Seventh-Day Adven-
fists; DR.. Clifford H. Richmond
pastor of the Chevy Chase Method