Liquor Laws Violated by 4 Restaurants

Four local restaurants have received formal reprimands from the Cambridge License Commission for violating liquor regulations in selling alcoholic beverages to minors.

The commission which issues the licenses, warned Cronin's, the Wursthaus, the Oxford Grille, and the Midget Delicatessen. The Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission obtained evidence of the illegal sales in September and forwarded it to the Cambridge board.

John E. Quinn, chairman of the License Commission, said that the evidence and testimony of ABC inspectors at a hearing Tuesday, indicated a "definite violation" in each case. He noted, however, that since this was a first violation for each of the restaurants, the commission felt that the relatively light penalty was justified.

The Board has the power to suspend, revoke, or cancel any license it issues, but it cannot fine or imprison violators. Although state law also provides for fines or imprisonment for sale of liquor to minors, the present case was concerned only with the permit violations.

Quinn also noted that the restaurants had the reputation of being "very careful" to check identification before serving liquor to young-looking people.

Frank N. Cardullo, owner of the Wursthaus, said last night that he had not yet been notified of the board's decision. He reasserted, however, that this was the restaurant's "first violation." Owners of the other establishments were unavailable or unwilling to comment on the board's actions.

At Tuesday's hearing investigators gave names and described the identification papers of all persons under 21 found drinking in the restaurants when the inspection was made. No action will be taken against the minors, however.

The Licensing Commission made the decision when it met in executive session Tuesday after the hearing.