2044 VETOES.

tavern proprietor. The Commissioner urgently recommends
the veto of these two Bills.

While it is not the purpose of the Maryland statute to
impose unjust and unreasonable obligations upon the tavern
proprietor, the State looks to the licensee to prevent sales of
intoxicating liquors to minors. Permission to sell alcoholic
beverages is a license and the person receiving it assumes a
great obligation which he cannot be allowed to transfer lightly
to a minor or anyone else. It is the sincere desire of officials
to maintain the highest standards in the administration of
liquor laws and it must be understood that the licensee must
guard against any unauthorized purchase by children or
youths.

In the study of these Bills, I have taken into consideration
the fact that a conviction returned against a licensee has
serious consequences in regard to the renewal of his license.
At the same time, the General Assembly, at the recent session,
modified the pre-existing law and has vested certain discretion
in the licensing authority so that extraordinary and appealing
cases can be considered on their merits.

It would seem prudent and wise to prevent the lowering of
the bars whereby greater indulgence in intoxicating liquors by
minors might be encouraged. While the liquor law administra-
tors believe that these measures might bring about a more
satisfactory arrangement, I am convinced that there seems to
remain a serious doubt, and I must construe that doubt by
doing what I think is in the interest of minors and of the
general public.

The fact that the two principal law-enforcing officials of
Baltimore City, the Police Commissioner and the State's At-
torney, are definitely of the opinion that law violations would
be increased rather than otherwise under the Bills in question,
is quite persuasive with me.

Under all of the circumstances, I feel that the Bills must
be vetoed, which action I am now taking.

ALLEGANY COUNTY.

Chapter 670 (House Bill 803). This bill repeals the pre-
existing law relating to bounties for the killing of foxes and
certain other animals.

The County Commissioners of Allegany County vigorously
oppose the bill, and conservation groups also are anxious that
it not be approved. The Western Maryland Outdoor Life Fed-
eration, which comprises forty-five organizations in Allegany,
Washington and Garrett Counties, have expressed opposition
to the measure.

I might also state that the Chairman of the Allegany County
delegation, which introduced the measure, has advised me that