Colleges Protest Sale of Liquor to Young Students

Widespread liquor sales to college students under 21 have resulted in a letter of protest to all Western Massachusetts package stores signed jointly by four college presidents. Stressing "the multitude of problems which the unrestricted use of alcoholic beverages brings to every campus," the heads of Smith, Amherst, Mount Holyoke, and the University of Massachusetts asked for full cooperation in keeping liquor away from minors.

The letter, which was released in the wake of a series of incidents involving inebriated New England college students, suggested prominent display of placards calling attention to the Massachusetts statute prohibiting the sale of liquor to those under 21. It further asked that students whose age is in doubt be made to register their names and addresses.

In response to the communication, one well-known Holyoke liquor dealer asserted that the sale of alcoholic beverages to college students, female as well as male, is an acute problem in that area, as many of the students come from states where purchases may be made by anyone over 17. After arriving in Massachusetts, they feel that they are still governed by home state laws and employ a number of subterfuges to insure a steady liquor supply, he stated.

Quoting is fellow package store owners, the liquor dealer expressed the belief that the ultimate answer to the whole problem must lie in the hands of college authorities, as "older students can always buy alcoholic beverages for their younger drinking companions."