NEWS CONFERENCE 325

would hope that the City Liquor Board, which was appointed by me
last March and took office May 1, will continue the vigilance it has
shown since acting boldly and swiftly last weekend to insure the peace
of the community.

Q. Governor, in spite of some questions by some segments of the
tavern owners, do you agree with the action taken?

A. Indeed, I do agree with it, and I think for the main part the
tavern owners are 100 percent in favor of the action that was taken.
It takes the onus off of them to make it a unilateral decision, which
may cause some disgruntlement among their customers.

Q. Governor, have you talked to Attorney General Burch, either
before or after the action was taken, with regard to his opinion of the
legality of the bill?

A. No, I have not talked to General Burch at all about the matter.

Q. Would you hope if the Attorney General gets to the question, I
think he will from the City Council President, that he will act quickly
one way or the other on the legality of the bill?

A. Yes, I'm certain that he will act and rule quickly. However, it's
my very firm hope that at the next session of the General Assembly
we'll be able to pass legislation to put this matter squarely on the law
books. It's not desirable, in my opinion, to have to act administratively
in a matter that touches on the rights of so many people.

Q. Are you confident that you will be able to pass such an amend-
ment?

A. I feel very optimistic about the chances of passing this amendment
even though it was amended out of the bill last time. It never became
an issue. And I think that the feeling of the public is good in accom-
modation matters. The fears that were generated from the time
public accommodation, the overthrow of discrimination, in these
areas was first mentioned have basically degenerated. And they de-
generated because it has been proven without any question that the
economic problem does not arise. I remember when the accommoda-
tions matter first came to attention and there was a great deal of talk
about restaurants going out of business. This hasn't happened, and the
integration of these establishments has proceeded in an orderly fashion
without any inconvenience to the owners or the customers. There is
no reason why this can't happen in taverns too.