N.J. Beverage Association Opposes State Stores

Camden Courier-Post - February 2, 1938

More Power Urged for Burnett Office on Fair Trade Pact

Curb on Price Cutting Sought in Resolution of State-wide Organization

Heavy Penalties Asked

The New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association, in a one-day special convention, passed resolutions flatly opposing inauguration of state-operated liquor stores in New Jersey and asking the Legislature to grant State A. B. C. Commissioner D. Frederick Burnett wider powers to enforce the Fair Trade Act it was announced last night by Neil F. Deighan, president of the association.

Deighan reported the Camden and Jersey City delegations offered the only open opposition to the resolution against the state stores. They argued, Deighan said, that the association may be forced later to advocate state stores to break up price cutting by package stores.

The additional powers asked for Burnett are designed to break up price cutting, Deighan pointed out. He said the resolution asks setting of mandatory penalties, to be enforced by Burnett, of 30 days suspension for the first offense and license revocation for the second offense against the fair trade act.

Deighan said he supported the anti-state stores resolution, both personally and as president.

The association, which met Monday in Trenton, also passed a resolution urging that breweries be placed under the same Federal permit system as that which now prohibits ownership of liquor selling establishments by distillers.

Another resolution continued a committee, authorized to select private brands of whisky to bear the association’s emblem and to be sold only by association members.

The association also passed a resolution disavowing criticism of Burnett as expressed in quotations from Roy Dunn, counsel for the Original Tavern Owners’ Association of Newark, in the Newark News of January 28, went on record as being “not in agreement” with the criticism, and commended Burnett’s administration. Deighan said the resolution pointed out also that “the association represented by Mr. Dunn is not affiliated with the New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association.”

A resolution urging the display of “Buy American Whisky” signs in taverns was passed also.

Deighan was given a vote of confidence by the delegates when questions involving administration policies was brought up, John Pennington, head of the Camden Unit, reported.

Camden delegates to the convention were Pennington, Roy Steele, Alfred Munyon, Bruno Bronislaus, Celia Ellis and Tony Paretto.