Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-04-13
By Ralph Smith

When the amendment to impose a ten
per cent duty on hides was offered, Mr..
Underwood proposed to add also skins.
His proposition was ruled out, whereupon
he moved to amend by making the duty
apply to hides weighing more than one
pound Under the usual constructions
placed on the word, hides weigh more
than % pounds; indeed. the line of dis
tinction between hides and skins is de-
noted by the weight. and any amendment
applying to hides weighing one pound and
more would have caught most of the
skins such as are used in the manufac-
ture of shoes.
Could Not Collect
While the bill of Victor Murdoch. cali
ing upon the states that shared In the
distribution of the treasury surplus In
1886 to refund the money to the United
States has been the subject of much dis
cussion and widespread comment, there
are two very good reasons why the
states that would be affected need not be-
come alarmed. The first, which has al
ready been pointed out in these dis
patches, is that the bill, if it ever passes
the house, will probably be talked to
death in the senate; the second. and best
reason, is that there is no legal machin-
cry to collect the outstanding obligations
even though congress should pass the
Murdoch bill.
There is no occasion for alarm" said
Judge Bartlett, of the Sixth district. in
discussing the matter Assuming that
the Murdoch bill should be passed, how
under the sun could the United States
collect that million dollars Georgia is said
to owe?'
Judge Bartlett answered his own ques-
ton by explaining that there exists no
legal machinery to compel a state to
settle such an obligation. While one state
may sue another, he said, the United
States is powerless to sue a state, and
could not possibly recover the alleged in
debtedness of Georgia. unless Georgia vol
unfairly cancelled the obligation by pay
ing up.
When a debtor declines to pay credit
or, even though the former has signed a
|, binding contract, his only recourse to
compel the payment is the law-and as
Judge Bartlett points out a state cannot
be made defendant to a suit, except the
suit be brought by another state.
Illicit DistilIing
Recent reports received by the treasury
department clearly indicate that Illicit
distilling is on the increase, particularly
in Georgia. Alabama and North Caro-
lina three dry states, and the increase
is being charged up to the prohibition
laws enacted by these states. which pro-
hibit not only the sale but also the man
ufacture of liquor.
The fiscal year of the government be-
gins and ends July 1, and it is therefore
impossible to give the figures for the
entire year. but for the nine months that
have passed 1017 Illicit stills have been
been destroyed. as against 1,130 for the
twelve months of the previous year. Of
ficials of the internal revenue depart
ment are quite sure that the complete
record for the present fiscal year, with
three months yet to go, will far surpass
this number.
The Atlanta district, singularly leads
the list During the month of December
last il is stated that 120 stills were de-
stroyed in this one district.
Interesting Details
In connection with this work of run
ming down so-called ''moon-shiners' and
destroying their stills it is of interest to
consider some of the details of this haz-
ardous work. There are employed at
Atlanta II deputies; at Asheville, n. c.,
Is; and at Columbia, S. c., 2s. These Of
ficers are constantly engaged in raiding
work.
Nearly 500 possemen have been employ
ed from time to time within recent
months. and, in addition. many guides
familiar with the mountainous country
to which Illicit distilling is largely con-
fined, are engaged by the government.
Then there are a number of informers
how many cannot be stated. The pos
semen and guides operate on the infor-
nation supplied by these informers,
whose remuneration is entirely made
quate to the danger involved The in
former usually gets IS for his informa-
tion though sometimes he may be hand
ed a ten spot.
The records show that during the past
eight years the casualties to officers and
men engaged in raiding were eleven, and
that altogether 600 persons were arrest
ed Since July there has been only one
casualty, a deputy marshall killed in
Kentucky.