Evening star., 1950-01-14
Dry and Wet Forces
Concluding Argument
On Bill al Hearinu

''Drys" and "wets" were putting
final arguments into the record
today as the Senate Commerce
Committee moved toward the
windup of it's heavily attended
public hearing on alcoholic bever-
age advertising.
The committee is considering
a bill sponsored by Senator
LANCER. Republican, of North Da-
kota, which would prohibit the
advertising of liquor, wine and
beer in interstate commerce
through newspapers, magazines,
radio, television or any other
medium.
Il feel free to make the accusa-
tion that papers carrying liquor
advertising help to create drunks," 4"
Harold E. Burns. editor and pub
Usher of the New Wilmington
(PaD Globe, declared.
Sees Link With Crime.
Another important factor of
which I mflrmly convinced, +"
the witness continued, lis that
the increase in front-page space
devoted to sex and other crimes
Is in direct ratio to the increase
in drinking stimulated by the
paid columns on the inside
pages"
Further support for the LANCER
bill came from representatives of
parent teacher and youth tenn
perance organizations. And a
Boston judge, Joseph T. zottoli
of Municipal oCurt, submitted
statistics he said showed rising
incidence of crime in Massachu-
setts attributable to legalized
liquor sales.
THE sophistical, alluring and
deceitfm practices now INDUCED
in by liquor interests are highly
detrimental to mankind and
should be stopped" Judge Zotoli
said.
Mrs. Sartwell's Comments.
Mrs. Franklin G. Sartwen of
Washington. national secretary of
the Woman's Association of Allied
Beverage Industries, commented:
Some times it seems that my
friends, the sincere but often emo
tional drys, are under the impress
sion that they have a monopoly
on the good, conscientious. church.
going women of America.
If a delegation of our members
were to be present at this hearing
and I were to ask them to stand,
you gentlemen would be looking
into the faces of an intelligent and
sincere cross-estion of your coun-
try'S women"
Mrs. Sartwell said the LANCER
bill is opposed by the association
composed of women associated
with the alcoholic beverage indus
try-because it is considered only
another giant stride back toward
prohibition.
Bishop Wilbur E. Hammaker of
the Methodist Board of Temper
ance and Public Morals, who has
been acting as unofficial manager
for the proponents of the legisla-
ton, was expected to make the
closing argument for the "drys."
Constitutionality Debated.
The constitutionality of the
proposal was argued yesterday.
Frederick D. G. Ribble, pro-
fessor of constitutional law at the
University of Virginia, said there
was little legal basis to think the
21st-or repeal-amendment de-
prived Congress of power to regu-
late the interstate liquor business,
Including advertising in interstate
commerce.
He filed brief on the question.
Data on the opposite side was
offered by Clinton M. Hester,
Washington attorney for the
United States Brewers Foundation.
Mr.. Hester recalled that he had
worked, as a congressional pro-
feSsional staff member, on prep
aration of the resolution which
became the 21st amendment.
The LANCER Bill, he said, sis an
attempt to violate the spirit and
intention of the Congress and the
American people in the adoption