The people's voice., 1958-10-10

DISC AyuInSf NcHun kIqUVi SiVfCS
To Be Renewed Next Session
While publicly admitting they not hopeful of
pshng their entire take their industry out from
regulation that part of their program is for horse
trading purposes the states liquor dealers will definitely
another major pitch in the coming legislative assembly
to abolish the state retail liquor stores.
They also determined for themselves volume
liquor purchases from the stores should they again
fail their continuing effort to take the State out of the retail
end of the business Further they'd like do something about
beer sales by stores And they'd like to beraz
ing of the number of saloons permitted thousand popua
ton.
These, other lesser recommendations amount
to package-a package which doubt the majority
of Montanans interested in purchasing.
Adjustment of the State retail SYSTEM is of
the big prize Immediately the industry would pick the
per of the retail business done with the State
by individual purchasers With the State retail system
longer serving "yardstck the drinking public will
mercy industry price they pay liquor
Past experience indicates there will be little gentle mercy
around should the saoonkeepe have things all their
RELOCATING the wholesale end only ax-dollar
WISE would likely find this of State Government
drasticay cua luxury which the State OF Montana can Ill
afford at this time.
Most important ALL the State the
retail end only first in the ndurys longheld goal
getting the State completely of the liquor business and
ending the States policing authority the industry policing
brought about because of the inability the unwngness of
the industry to police ITSELF
The oftdemanded discount price immediate
effect of giving saloon keepers better margin but since the
likelihood almost nil they'd of this lower price
liquor would cheaper the would
liquor sales The proposed 10 cent
would take from the Liquor Store System
several hundred thousands of dollars profits
to State General Fund.
From long-range view, substantial discount could be
used effective of aton to eliminate State retail
competition discount would make possible for the saloons
sell bottled goods below the State retail store price
Few would fool around getting permits, signing
order blanks and waiting in line at the State stores they could
obtain the desired product without red tape and at the
saloon Further dwndng of the 35 cent of State
retail business done with individuals would eventually reduce
such Staeowned retail outlets to moneyosng ventures
every fifth sold to individual patrons
The attempt to hamper destroy store compe
ton would if successful spell but thing you'd be
25 80 cents for that of beer which presently reta
for IL cents in the grocery store
Lberazng of the law limiting the number of liquor dis
pensng joints per thousand population would it's probable
major effect accomplish thing only a substantial in
in the of juvenile drinking Already in
communities saloons that mosoperaors have
difficult time making ends Juveniles offer the only
major business ky though be to make add
tional saloons paying propositions.
The above the major items in the package the liquor
dealers will seek sell to the 1859 legislature If they
successful will be long along the road to the old
saloon and it's associated Accordingly it behOoves
voter to consider most carefully whether return
conditions exan prohibition days is in the greater pub
lie interest Legislative candidates should be asked to make pub
lie their positions various facets of this ISSUE that voters may
controls which quarter century
been considered manfestly in the public interest. o