Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1953-02-26
Delegates Split
On Bill Curbinq
Liquor Outlets
Maryland Measure
Aims to Protect
Residential Areas
BY a stuff Correspondent Of tn. sto,

Residential Areas
BY Stuff Correspondent Of The Stus
ANNAPOLIS, Feb. 26.-A bill
designed to prevent unwanted
invasion Of residential neighbour
hoods by liquor stores and tav-
ems is drawing mixed reactions
from Montgomery and Prince
Georges delegations.
The bill would require county
liquor boards to deny an alco-
holic beverage sales license to
any establishment which is OPP
posed by a majority of the
"neighborhood" property owners.
introduced by Delegate A.
Gordon Boone, Democrat, Of
Baltimore County, the bill in
substance defines a neighbor-
hood under three different cate
gorieS.
l. In an incorporated munich
pality it would be the area with
in a 800 foot radius of the ap-
plicant.
2. In an agricultural or mixed
agricultural, commercial and
residential area, it would be the
area within a 1a-mile radius
OF the applicant
8. In any other category
unincorporated suburban areas
it would be the land within a
4OO-foot radius Of the applicant.
Nearly all members of the
Prince Georges delegation say
they will support the bill. They
feel it is good legislation"
Montgomery Group Undecided.
The Montgomery County dele
gates, however, are not so sure,
although they think it's intent
is worthy of support.
II doubt if the standards are
feasible" Delegations Chairman
j. Douglas Bradshaw said. "."They
appear to be inadequate and IL
lusory."
Mr.. Bradshaw, however, said
he would support legislation to
ban tavernS being established
with 300 feet of a church or
public school.
Mrs. Kathryn j. Lawlor, also
Of the Montgomery Republican
delegation, said in general she
favored such legislation as the
Boone bill.
She added, however, she was
fearful of any such legislation
affecting the county's liquor
monopoly-the only one in the
State.
Delegate Julian p. King said
he strongly supports" the bill.
Mr.. King, a member of the
Board of Temperance Of the
Methodist Church, yesterday in
PRODUCED another bill to outlaw
the sale of liquor on Sunday.
Gaithersburg Cited.
Mr.. King said there is too
much indiScriminate issuance of
alcoholic beverage licenses" He
added that If this measure had
been in effect during the last
two months. Montgomery County
Council would have been barred
from establishing a liquor dis
pensary in Gaithersburg.
The council established the
county dispensary there over the
protest of number of the towns
residents. The council, however,
had received numerous requests
for the dispensary to serve the
upper county.
Delegate Gilbert GUIDE de-
scribed the bill as good thing"
and said it had excellent chance
OF getting out of the Alcoholic
Beverage Committee of which he
is a member.
Albert r. Hassall, chairman of
the Prince Georges delegation.
says he thinks the bill is "okay"
and will support it.
Some people claim it is a
vicious bill-an attempt of the
'drys' to gain control of the
! county by piece-meal methods !"
he said.
The delegation yesterday re-
ceived a telegram from Joseph
Duffy. commander of the Colmar
Manor American Legion Post.
asserting the measure would
close rs per cent of the clubs.
restaurants and taverns" in the
county.
Slow Prohibition Feared.
One telegram opposed the bill
scoring it as SLOW way to bring
back prohibition"
The bill, however, would not
affect the licenses of any exist
ing establishment, Delegate
Boone explained. He added he
will amend it to clarity its intent.
State Senator John Raymond
Fletcher. Republican. of Prince
Georges, called the proposal Q
very, very sensible measure"
Among other things it would
discount testimony of opponents
and proponents at Liquor Board
hearings who come from affair.""
he said.
It would localize sentiment, to
be considered by the board, he
believes.
Democratic Prince Georges
Delegates Leroy Humphrey and
Perry o. Wilkinson. both said
they would support the bill.
Mr.. Wilkinson. however,
termed it meaningless" since
the county liquor board already
abides by the rule Of the ma
jority."
The Prince Georges delegation
also received yesterday a tele-
gram from a county restaurant
and hotel group opposing the
measure.
The bill, however. is known
to have strong backing through
out the State. No hearing has
been set on the bill vet, Mr..