The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-10-29
KANSAS LIQUOR LICENSES.

Commissioner Miller of the United States
Revenue Service, Instructs Collector
Acers.
LEAvENwORTH, KAN, October 2S.-FO-
some time past Colonel \. F. Acers, Collec-
tor of Internal Revenue for Kansas and the
Indian Territory, has been beset by parties
for the purpose Of getting copies of form
eleven, in order to ascertain the names O.
two thousand and fifty-five persons holding
retail liquor dealers stamps. or these
about nine hundred are druggists and the
balance sell liquor in defiance of the State
law. Collector Acers, having refused many
OF these applicants, alleging that it inter-
fered with the work in his Office, they
threatened 10 appeal to Commissioner Mil
Ter. In order to settle the matter, Colonel
AcerS asked Mr.. Miller for Instructions and
is in receipt of the following letter:
n. T. Acers, ESQ, Collector of Internal
Revenue Kansas; Leavenworth. Kan.
WASHIN'iTON, D. C., October y. S5.-TREAS-
TRY DEPARTMENT. OFFICE OF INTERNAL.
REvENUE--Sir: Your letter of the Ist in
slant has been received. regarding efforts or
persons WHO are interesting themselves in
the enforcement Of the laws of Kansas
against the sale of intoxicating liquors to
procure from the papers aud records of your
ONCE evidence to support Indictment under
You say: These people frequently write
me demanding certified copies of form II ON
hIe mere. In special cases they have de-
mandcd full lists of parties holding tax paid
stamps as x. l.. ID. and K. NJ l.. ID. in certain
towns. in certain cit es. in certain counties,
and for the entire collection district.
You are hereby directed not TO furnish GER
tilted copies, or anv copies whatever. of re-
turns on Form IL, filed in your Office. or any
lists of persons holding special tax stamps
as retail liquor dealers, etc, i'll your district,
and
you will decline to produce those papers or
other records, and you VIII request the
United States District Attorney to appear on
your behalf and state to the court your rea-
sons therefor. to-wit: That these papers and
records come to YOUR knowledge and possess
sion i'll your offic ri capacity only: that they
relate to the business of your Office and
are intended by law TO aid you in the cOllec-
ton of internal revenue; and that they are
privileged from disclosure on the ground OF
public policy.
The last OF special taxpaye ers to which Soc
ton 3,24J revised statute refers is required
BY the statute to be placed and kept in your
Office for public inspection. Ii must, there
fore not be removed therefrom even upon Il
subpoena duceS tecum.
Section 3,240 reads as follows: Each Col
lector of Internal Revenue shall, under regu-
lations of the Commissioner of Internal
Revenue. place and keep cOnSpicuOusly in his
Office for public inspection, an alphabet cal
list of the names of all persons who shall
have paid special taxes within his district,
and shall state thereon the time, place and
business for which such special taxes have
been paid"
The words under regulations of the Com
missioner of Internal Revenue" relate mere
iy to the placing and keeping of the list for
the purpose of public inspection, and do not
warrant any objection of the public in the
examination of the list, if they make use of
the r privilege in q reasonable manner. so as
not to interrupt the work of the Collectors
office. While thiS section was, rs you Sug
gest, enacted solely TO aid in the discovery OF
persons who without complying with tho
law, are or have been engaged in business
for which special tax is required to be paid,
there is no wag for you 10 prevent those who
inspect the list from making use of the
knC Cw.edge thus gained for other purposes.
| should not advise you to prevent those
who inspect the list from copying names,
etc, therefrOm if this does not interfere
with the proper performance of the work OF
your Office. Respectfully.
JOSEPH s. MILLER,
Commissioner.