Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1912-03-08
ENF0RCERS Getting BUSY
L. :. MARSHAL GRANT VICTOR
TAKES UP THE TASK OF
FORCING OBEYANCE.
POSSESSION IS A VIOLATION
Laws IN Effect Before Statehood StilI
Apply-Result of Decision BY
ST. Louis Court.

Tho federal regulations applying
to traffieking and introducing liquor
into what was formerly known as the
Indian Territory, and including the
Usage Indian Reservation, are in ef-
feet today, developed yesterday. 1t
became known when the federal
Grand jury at Vinita finished its
work and returned indictments for
the introduction Of Intoxicating LID
uors into that part of Oklahoma
which was formerly known as the
Indian Territory.
Since statehood, while the old In
dian Territory part of the state has
dealed with liquor the same as the
newer part of the state, or the west
side, there has always been more or
less of conjecture attached to the
status of the liquor business in East
ern oklahoma. However this haze
was dispelled last December. when
the United States circuit court of APP
peals, sitting at st. Louis in the cele-
brated Friedman case, held that that
portion of Oklahoma formerly known
as the Indian Territory, and including
the Usage Indian reservation, was
still under the rule If the government
as far as the introduction and sale OF
intoXicants are concerned.
No Way, Shape or Form.
The federal law, which the st.
Louis court held to be stlll in effect,
intends that intoxicating liquors cam
not be introduced into Eastern Ok
lahoma, or what was originally the
Indian Territory. Introduction under
any circumstances is a violation of
that law. Spirituous liquors cannot
be brought in even Tor medicinal
or sacramental purposes unless appli-
cation is made to the war department,
which application may be refused al
the discretion of that department on
account of the abuses which might
arise. And when such application Is
granted, the strictest compliance Is
necessary.
That the government would seek to
enforce the federal law under the st.
Louis decision has been rumored
since the opinion was given; but that
an attempt would be made to actual
ly invoke the rule which for years
held sway in Eastern oklahoma, was
not definitely known until yesterday,
when indictments We're returned at
Vinita, where United States Marshal
Grant Victor had been looking up al
legged violators of the federal liquor
law. Mr.. Victor was in Tulsa yester-
day looking after conditions here.
Affects Eastern Half of state.
There are forty counties on the east
side of Oklahoma which will be at
fected. To enforce the federal liquor
law in all of these counties will un-
doubtedly require as many deputies
and commissioners as formerly, If not
more on account of the lax condition
of the liquor laws of the state in the
interim since statehood. For over
four years all Oklahoma has reveled
in about as much intoxicating fluid
as they cared for. and 1t will likely
take quite an array of government
and introduction.
All that is needed to constitute a
violation of the existing law. as de-
clared in the recently appealed case
and decided at st. Louis, is the pres
ence of intoxicants. The whyfore
Of having it, the intention of final
disposition. or any other reason which
may be advanced, save only In those
cases where special permit from the
war department has been obtained.
counts absolutely for naught and is
not countenanced during prosecution.
The violation is in having it, in the
mere presence of the lntoxicant itself.
Harder TO Procure.
II Is understood that Mr.. Victor
and the raen who will work under
him will put forth every effort TO
have the federal law observed in its
strictest sense 1t is quite probable
that many flourishing places of bus
mess" in Eastern Oklahoma will be
webbed about the doors by early
spring That intoxicants will he much
harder to procure IN the near here
after Is true. because railway and ex-
press companies will be exceedingly
cautious about accepting consign
ments for delivery in Oklahoma out
side of the western half Of the state.