Arizona sun., 1954-08-06
TUCSON AGAIN STARTS BALL ROLLING

The sidewalk topic - whiskey license to Negroes =
years broke out the open this week which bids fair to
be of the major topics for sometime to come.
The SUNS opinion is that gold medal should be
presented the Arizona Daily Star of Tucson for the stand
taken edtoraly this week the method of issuing of
number six sprtuous liquor licenses in Arizona 1t is our
belief w. H Mathews, editor of the Daily Star has
stirred up "hoets nes that will get quite kicking
around.
The editorial mentioned above, appeared in the Tue
son paper last Tuesday Following is reproduction:
EQUAL RIGHTS TO DRINK?
When the state of Arizona grants a license to par
tcular kind of business to operate under special prv
eges in the state does that grant give the censee the
right to deny service to of the people OF Arizona
because their skins are black?
81 Speaking plainly bars licensed to sell
Intoxicating liquors deny service to Negroes?
"There is nothing in the law that gives them that
right The law makes no mention of any kind right
deny SERVICE although forbid under heavy penal
tth service to minors The state constitution does not
grant such right impose any such duty that
does single out Indians Sale to them is forbidden by
the constitution.
''This matter of discrimination against Negroes by
bars selling intoxicating liquors becomes public issue
Negro applies for license the ground that Negroes
denied the right to buy drinks in bars If license is
granted that basis the discrimination is recognized
but without any kind of legal authority. If is denied
then becomes the duty of responsible state and local
officials to that all unlawful discrimination is brought
to end
'Next the state liquor control officer who has the
legal right to suspend licenses for number of
should suspend the license of any censee who denies
service TO any laW-aOldng applicant because OF race
color In addition he should refuse to grant any
licenses unless the applicants understand that denial of
service in circumstances mentioned above will be grounds
for suspension of the license.
IF the state liquor control officer refuses act if
he permits such unlawful discrimination to go on the
governor of Arizona should him from office for
cause If the governor refuses to ac then the people
should act with their votes
"The issue is of whether equality under the law
is going to exist in Arizona"
1t all started about month ago when Leroy Stewart
hn findOn fiYcth nd thoro
could be exception to the rule granted in method of
issuing liquor licenses that Negro could get a
number sx which to do business in the Tucson city
Mr.. Stewart, after meeting all preliminary require
mens to the capitol and with two friends went to
Mr. Duncan, Superintendent of Liquor Control for con-
ference After than two hour discussion the ver
dict was: 1t just couldn't be done under present state
law, Mr. Duncan sad.
However, Mr.. Duncan advised the group that the
applicant had perfect right to seek legal means to
secure the license he asked for.
This writer is convinced that the fault with the
liquor law will have to be remedied by the legislature 1t
is not in the peview of the superintendent of liquor
troll power to change the law However, there should be
(and there is) to amend the whiskey law our
statute, all people will have fair shake
/ III