Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 55, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 March 1911 — Must Act Quickly to Effect Raise of Saloon License Fees. [ARTICLE]

Must Act Quickly to Effect Raise of Saloon License Fees.

Indianapolis, March 6.—The signing of'the Proctor saloon regulation bill by Governor Marshall Saturday evening has raised a question as to the responsibilities of county confmissioners who 'will be called upon to grant saloon licenses under the new law. Many have been of the opinion that the signing of the bill at this time would prevent the county commission-' ers affected from becoming familiar with the provisions of the act and would prevent them from passing upon the license fee limit and ratio of saloons to population. The bill provides that advertisements of applicants published before the taking effect of the act are good. The section which occasions doubt is the one giving county commissioners discretion in fixing the ratio of saloons to population as one to any number from 500 to 1,600 people and gives them the right to set the license at SSOO and S7OO for towns and cities respectively, action to be taken, however, at the first meeting of the board after the taking effect of the act. Senator Fleming has suggested a way in which the commissioners may have time to consider the matter. He submits that -They may convene in regular session Monday and then determine a day later in the week on which to consider any applications for licenses. Every county auditor in the state was notified by Governor Marshall of the signing of.the bill and it is understood that every county attorney in the state has been furnished with a copy on which to base his opinion to the county commissioners.