Evening star., 1952-12-13
@ QTITr rnryTnl1
George,
Weighs County
Liquor Stores
Hughes to Introduce
Assembly Bill If
Business Isn't Hurt
BY Gene Goodwin

Business Isn't Hurt
By Gene Goodwin
A bill to set up county-owned
liquor stores In Prince Georges
County may be introduced In the
Maryland General Assembly next
Delegate William r. tfIuck)
Hughes. Republican, said last
night be would introduce the bill
4 he can be shown how the coun-
" can take over the liquor bus
mess without Infringing on the
rights Of private businessmen"
Charles Luebner. veteran mem-
Der Of the Prince Georges Civic
Federation, promised to show Mr..
Hughes how It could be done.
Similar to AIontgomery,s.
Mr.. Lnehner advanced the pro-
posai for Q liquor dispensafy sys-
tenn similar to Montgomery Coun-
tvs at Q hearing held last night
BY the county's delegation to the
legislature to determine what
new laws the people want.
Under my PLAN" Mr.. Luebner
said. "liquor store operators would
have plenty Of tirpe to dispose Of
their businesses"
Mr.. Hughes said he liked the
idea Of a dispenSary system.
though he believes the eounty's
liquor problem could be solved by
proper law enforcement.
During thse past two years I
had hoped that the law enforce
ment agencies would do . better
job than they have done" the
delegate declared. Its not as
rotten as it was. but It's stfll had."
Others Cool to Plan.
Others of the six-member dele
cation. polled after the hearing in
the Hyattsville County Service
Building, appeared somewhat cool
the dispensary idea. They
said immense problems would be
involved in the county taking over
such a well-established and long
licensed industry. Montgomery
County grew up under a dis
pensary system. they added.
The delegation seemed agreed,
however. that several changes in
the present county liquor law are
needed.
Some changes considered, the
crowd Of about 125 was told.
would establish q minimum dis
tance between liquor spots and
schools and churches. require
abandoned licenses to revert to
the county rather than be sold
back and forth. and set up a
full-time liquor board ofiice.
Industry Recognizes Need.
A spokesman for the liquor in
terests-Fred monaghan, presi-
dent Of the county Hotel and
Owners Association
said his group recognizes the need
for changes in the law. He said
he intended to discuss some of
these changes with the delegation
and the county Liquor Board
soon. w
Here are some Of the other
legislative proposals put. up by
groups and individuals ct the
hearing:
/. M. F. Osborne. q board men,
Der OF the Citizens Committee
for Good Government. who spoke
for himself. urged measures re-
quiring the county School Board
and the Washington Suburban
Commission to open all
their meetings to the public. He
also suggested that the School
Board be required to hold at least
half It's meetings in HyattsviIle.
Regular meetings of the board
are now held at Upper Marlboro.
Bypass Road Urged.
2. The Prince Georges Chamber
of Commerce urged, construction
of q bypass road to bring trucks
into Washington from Baltimore
without routing them through
the heavily congested area along
the Baltimore boulevard. If
trucks are banned from the new
Baltimore Washington express
way. a chamber spokesman said,
they will run wild along the
boulevard with the stimulus Of
less passenger car traffic.
8. District Heights asked
amendments to its charter au-
thorizing it to construct a
municipal center. at not more
than $50, 1000. to be paid for by an
increase in taxes Of not more
than Is per cent. The town also
asked authority to set up its own
police force. Both acts would be
subject to referendum.
1. Forest Heights also asked an
amendment to build q municipal
center. The town further re-
quested amendments changing its
treasurer from an elective to an
appointive post. limiting drainage
expenditures to an annual Ia
of each 500 of assessed valuation
and allowing 1t to annex some ad-
joining territory. All the acts
would be subject to referendum.
BeltsviIle incorporation.
5. A group Of Beltsville resi-
dents requested an act to IN
corporate their community into o
town. subject to referendum.
6. Mrs. Irma Boganoff. presi-
dent Of the University Of Mary
land PTA, urged support Of q
500. 900 item In the University's
budget request to erect d new
building for the nursery school
and kindergarten at College Park.
The county delegation win hold
another hearing on proposed leg
islation at 8 pm. Wednesday in
the county service building at
TIvattSville