Evening star., 1952-03-02
|D.C.Liquor Store
Plan Defeated
By Citizens Body
Government Shops
Called Tex Aid, but
Foes Fear Socialism

The Federation of Citizens AS
sociations last night oveFwhelm-
ingly voted down q proposal to-
put the District into the liquor
business by setting up Governs
ment-controlled package stores,
wholesale and retail.
A report by the Committee Of
Law and Legislation brought to-
the floor a resolution from the
North Cleveland Park Citizens
Association to prepare a bill to
authorize District owned stores
to relieve the tax situation. Only
about half-a-dozen votes ap-
peared in favor of the proposal
when the federation balloted.
A number of speakers took the
floor to oppose the resolution.
Harry N. Stull, federation treas
urer, said it would put the Dis
trict squarely in the liquor bus
mess. when private individuals
have invested thousands Of dol
lars in this lawful enterprise.
Ralph w. Donnelly said this
would amount to state confsca-
ton Of property.
Oppoes Government Control.
Mrs. Ernest w. Howard said
she opposed the Government con-
trolling business to this extent.
She declared veterans have in
vested their last cent in liquor
stores and the Government might
as well take over the little corner
grocery if this policy is to prevail.
Vernon B. Baker said it would
be very unwise for the District
to embark in the liquor business
and that this represented "anoth-
er step toward creeping social
ism"
Col. E. Goring Bliss pointed out
the cost of the alcoholic rehabili-
tation program is being paid from
the proceeds from liquor taxes.
Soterios Nicholson, committee
chairman, announced he opposed
the resolution his committee had
urged.
The federation unanimously
urged that $847.500 for INDECENT
medical care be restored to the
District budget. DIR. Richard r.
Sullivan explained that under a.
pending proposal all INDECENT
cases would be centered at Gal
|linger Hospital and taken away
from eight voluntary hospitals
that have been caring for them.
This item has been cut to $500 900,
the budget, the federation was
told.
Cites Training Need.
DR.. Sullivan explained that this
would undermine the training
program at those hospitals for
doctors. internes. nurses and other
medical personnel. He contended
the treatment Of the INDECENT is
necessary at the hospitals to en-
able them to maintain their pro.
fessional standing and give
medical experience.
DR.. Sullivan said that internes
will not go to these hospitals unless
they have an adequate number Of
INDECENT patients whom they can
care for. He said a number Of
hospitals will have to close their
doors as they are going in the
red now. II they do not have the
benefit Of the INDECENT patients
and the money the District pays
for them.
A resolution from the Brookland
Citizens Association, opposing fluo-
ridation Of the city's water supply
as an anti-tooth decay measure,
particularly among children, was
tabled. DR.. Sullivan said huorida-
ton has been in use in a Michigan
community for so years and that
it has caused no mottling of teeth
nor has 1t adversely affected the
kidneys or liver.
Arthur B. McNerney Of Brook
land asked the Federation to defer
action until the congressional
committee investigating the sub
ject has reported. But the Fedora
tion voted to table the resolution.
Drop Radio Liquor Ad Ban.
A plan to ban radio and tele-
vision broadcasts of distilled spir-
lit ads was voted down by the
federation.
The federation also urged ap-
|pointment of one or more mem
bers on the advisory committee
considering a revised building
code to give citizen representa-
ton; approved bill to reorgan-.
ize the National Park and Plan
ming Commission: urged the Cor
Iporation Counsel be empowered to
compel the attendance of wit
nesses in court cases here from
outside the District, just as the
District Attorney now can.
The organization also voted to
lplace tenements under strict san
litary supervision and to ask the
Post Office Department to restore
at least one late evening pickup
from street mail boxes not earlier
than 10 pm.