Evening star., 1951-02-23
Bill Would Shift
Wholesale Beer
Sales toFirIns
Public Hearing Set
In Bethesda March 10
On Montgomery Plan
BY q Stoff Correspondent Of The Sfor

BY q stoff Correspondent Of The stor
ANNAPOLIS, Feb. ga bill
which would transfer authority
over the wholesale distribution OF
beer in Montgomery County from
the County Liquor Board to pri-
vate interests is before the Gen
eral Assembly.
The measure also would author
ize the County Council to impose
a tax on all alcoholic beverages
sold in the county.
After introducing the contro-
versial proposal yesterday, Sena-
tor Dewitt S. Hyde, Republican,
of Montgomery County, an
nounced a public hearing will be
held on it at 8 pm. March 10 in
the Bethesda Elementary School.
Meanwhile, the House adopted
a favorable committee report on
a resolution calling for Maryland
of a Federal Consti-
tutional amendment to limit presi-
dental terms to two.
Redistricting Plan Revised.
The House also received the Re-
publican minority's congressional
redistricting plan. while the DEM
ocratic redistricting proposal was
placed before the Senate.
Among bills passed by the Senate
and sent to the Governor was a
Montgomery County measure set
ting up three-member board of
license commissioners appointed
by the county council.
It would have jurisdiction over
the issuance of beer licenses in
the county. This function now
is held by the Liquor Board.
Senator Hyde's bill was re-
quested by representatives of the
State Controllers Office. They
contended the present syste&
under which county retailers may
buy beer only from the Liquor
Board, cuts down consumption
and reduces State revenue.
They contended that, if private
took over the author
ity they had before 1941, when the
present plan went into effect, beer
sales would go up and the county
would benefit because of increased
State refunds under the Sherbow
Laws.
$134,000 Estimated Income.
1t has been estimated the county
receives about $4,000 annually
from its beer operations. The
provision in the bill for a tax on
alcoholic beverages is intended to
offset any loss of revenue that
might result from elimination Of
the county's monopoly. 4
The amount of the levy would
be determined by the County
Council.
The bill specifically permits the
county's liquor dispensaries to
sell beer, but only to consumers
and not for resale purposes.
The only speaker against the
Constitutional amendment con-
:erning presidential terms was
Delegate John j. Nowakowski,
Democrat, of Baltimore,
This resolution" he declared,
would prevent the people from
electing their President for a third
term in the event of an emerg-
ency."
A srtong defense of the resolu-
ton was voiced, however, by Dele
gate Leroy Pumphrey, Democrat,
Of Prince Georges County. He con-
tended ANY such emergency that
might arise is so slight it is negli-
gible."
He also insisted the amendment
is not aimed at any one, since the
late President Roosevelt, who was
elected to four terms, was beyond
the pale of anything and the in
cumbent President is specifically
exempted from its provisions.
Guard Against Ambitions.
This is a further guard against
an ambitious man, who might
seize power and hold it, as we saw
happen in Germany and Russia, "
he asserted.
"It is particularly fitting to ap-
prove this committee report on the
birthday Of George Washington,
who declined to serve more than
two terms"
Thirty-three States already have
ratified the amendment. Thirty
six are needed for it to become
law.
Both the Democratic and Re-
publican redistricting plans would
place Maryland's new-or 7th-
district in Baltimore. But the
Democrats. who control both
houses, would do it py returning
to the city all of It's precincts
now in the Sd District, and all
but nine of the AZ city precincts
now in the. 5th District. The
remaining four Congressional dis
tricts would be left undisturbed.
Under the Republican plan,
first advanced by Montgomery
Delegate ]. PAUL Marshall, the
I'd and 5th Districts would be
stripped of all their city precincts.
In addition, Howard County would
be transferred from the 5th to
the I'd District.
Three Bills Introduced.
Three bills were introduced in
the House by the Prince Georges
County delegation. They would:
l. Permit issuance of a special
beer, wine and liquor license to
any hotel having at least 40 rooms
and which has been in operation
for at least five years. The meas
ure repeatedly would apply to
the Lord Calvert Inn, College
Park.
2. Authorize Laurel officials to
spend UP to 100000 for sewage