The Jersey City News

THE LIQUOR COMPLICATIONS.
The Brewers Are Advised That Licenses Do Not Expire.
Ex-Assemblyman Michael T. Barrett, who is the local counsel of the Newark brewers, differs from Corporation Counsel Coult, of that city, as to the effect of the Werts bill on existing licenses. Mr. Coult, as stated in the SUNDAY MORNING NEWS of yesterday, holds that the repeal of the High License law vitiates and nullifies all licenses granted under it, and contends that the only licenses that are still operative are those granted since May 20, when the new law went into effect. Mr. Barrett argues in an opinion submitted to the Brewers' Association on Saturday, that in the absence of an express declaration to the contrary in the new bill, licenses will remain good till they are expired. He makes the point that neither the old bill nor the new grants licenses, but that that is a function devolved by old laws upon the licensing powers, whatever they may be, and that the only effect of either law was to determine what these who hold them may or may not do under them. City Clerk Scott said this morning that licenses granted prior to May 20 will be respected till they expire, by their terms, and that no steps will be taken to compel those whose licenses may possibly have been ended by the repeal of the High License law to take out new ones. Since May 20 only eight licenses have been granted. The majority of licenses will expire on July 1, and the City Clerk's office desires to notify liquor dealers that blank applications may now be had there by those who contemplate renewing their licenses.