Evening star., 1951-03-22
Beer Monopoly
In Montgomery
Is Defended
Senators Are Told
Revomp Of Planning
Agency May Be I|Iego
BY J. l. MichoeI
Stor Stoff Correspondent.

Oe1ldle JuQlCldIy SOIllIlllltcc GUQdS
is considering arguments for ano
against controversial Montgomery
County legislation.
In two lengthy hearings yester-
day the committee heard political
ly tinged debate on the county's
beer monopoly and a proposal &c
revamp the Maryland-National
Capital Park and Planning Com
mission.
Speakers among the 40 county
citizens at the sessions high
lighted arguments with thinly
veiled accusations against State
Controller j. Millard Tawes and a
prediction that the plan to reor-
ganize the planning agency may
be illegal.
These were among views ex-
pressed: =
/. That Montgomery County,
proud of it's distinction as one of
~the Nations best-governed sub
divisions. is willing to pay higher
taxes t6-avoid becoming a honky-
tonk. beer tavern county.
Democrats, Republicans United.
2. Democrats and Republicans
are united in opposing repeal of
the beer monopoly which promises
to return a $150,000 profit this
year.
3. That, above all, Montgomery
Is tired of being looked at with
critical eyes as the only charter
governed county in the State.
Mrs. Stella B. Werner, member
Of the County Council, hurled a
political javelin' at Mr.. Tawes
when she told the committee that
Eugene J. C. Raney, beer whole
saler, had managed the control
ler's campaign in 1888.
Present law bars wholesale beer
dealers from dealing with retailers
in Montgomery County. The
Tawes bill would remove the ban.
IT wonder" said Mrs. Werner,
IF this is mere coincidence.
Then she asked whether the
controller wanted to discuss the
interference, but received no reply
because Mr.. Tawes had left the
committee room.
H. Warren Buckler of the plan
ming commission voiced uncer-
tainty as to legality of the re-
organization bill. A serious ques-
ton is raised, he declared, when
q State Legislature abolishes an
agency which has entered into
contractural relations with the
Federal Government. The bill
would wipe out the present COM
mission and replace it with two
planning agencies for Montgomery
and Prince Georges Counties and
a bi-county agency to coordinate
their activities.
Extra $4,000 Foreseen.
Advocating his plan to end the
beer monopoly. Mr.. Tawes re-
iterated statements that the move
would step up beer consumption
and give the State an extra $50,000
a year revenue.
Roger v. Laynor. chief Of the
controllers alcoholic beverage di-
vision, called the beer monopoly
q socialistic idea and predicted
its abolition would sharply ad-
vance beer consumption figures.
That" countered Mrs. Werner,
sis exactly what we do not want.
1t is becoming increasingly evident
that liquor, gambling and politi-
clans are tied together almost
everywhere except in Montgomery.
If we extend the sale of alcoholics
we will send the crime rate soar
ing. 1t would be a fine thing if
less beer was sold"
Mrs. Ralph Himstead, former
County Council member, pointed
out that the county has a high
assessable basis, because you do
not find tavern on every corner"
Everybody is against this bill"
said Warren Browning, chairman
of the County Democratic Central
Committee. Don't make it a mill
stone around our necks at the
next election"
Speaking on the planning COM
mission proposal Mrs. Werner said
1t has the Endorsement, in princi-
pal, of the council because the
county has reached a stage in its
development where a single agency
would function more efficiently.
Frederick P. Lee, former presi-
dent of the County Council, urg-
ing the committee to give the bill
a favorable report, said the meas
ure would make the new agency a
planning commission and not a
hybrid organization cluttered with
duties it should not be called upon
to perform.
Terming the bill ripper legisla-
ton, J. Bond Smith, general coun-
sci to the commission, said it's
chief objective is to remove four
Democrats whose terms expire in