New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-01
Rum" Dies Hard Death
AS Nation Capital Goes Dry
Liquor Dealers Had Discounted Action However and Very
Few Places Were Still Open When KnelI Was Sounded
Senator Sheppard Sees Doors and Shutters Put Up

the intention Of Congress where there
is doubt about the meaning The
point was much discussed at the time
The bill was passed, and 1t was clearly
understood that LIQUOR could be
brought in for individual consump-
ton.
So, the man who will suffer through
being deprived Of his nip or his bottle
of beer will not be the family man who
lives at home. but ne who lives at a
hotel or club. For the clubs are
shut up tight. There is a specific pro-
vision which prohibits the locker sys-
tenn. Even a man who lives the year
around at hotel with his family. as
a large number Of Washingtonians do,
will not be able to get his drinks,
unless he smuggles them in personally,
and even then he is liable to run coun-
ter TO the law.
or course, the embassies will re-
main Gases In the arid district. Even
had Congress desired il could not have
legislated them dry. as they are bits
Of foreign soil. The hospitality of the
British and French embassies Is liable
70 be strained 10 the breaking point.
however, when IL is realized that there
are probably 400 British and French
officers in town or over al Fort Myer
in the aridity Of old Virginia.
To make the matter worse, Prince
Georges County. Maryland. goes dry
also by special act OF the Legislature.
The nearest convenient SPOT where
liquor can be obtained is Baltimore,
forty miles away, and as a result men
who have automobiles for hire are look
ing forward 20 a harvest. There is
thorn even with this rose. for in sev-
eral OF the little towns which adorn
the only good road from Washington
20 Baltimore there are constables
eager to fine Washington motorists for
violating the Maryland law, which
penalties any one under the influence
of liquor operating a car.
One Drink An Influence
One drink has been frequently con-
strued by Justices in these towns to
constitute an influence. To make il
worse. the road is not as wide as il
might be, and il gentleman really
imbibes a quantity sufficient to justify
the trip over passing him on the road
coming back would not be an entirely
safe proposition. However, there are
two steam railroads and an electric
line, with frequent trains on all.
Food Administrator Hoover's iniunc-
tion against the excessive use Of sugar
is expected TO be dealt hard blow in
the next few weeks, when the regular
drinkers have to content themselves
with malt extracts, grape juice and
ginger ale. The candy stores OF Wash
ington are putting their best foot fore
most in anticipation Of a lively trade.
It will not be an unmixed blessing FOR
them, however, nor for the existing
soft drink establishments, as many OF
the old bars will open as confection
aries and soda fountains. So general
is this intention that big ice cream
manufacturer is carrying considerable
advertising in the local papers urging
his wares on the new dealers.
A small army Of bartenders will lose
their Jobs. for in the confectionaries
which will succeed the bars girls will
generally be used. While their earn
ings may be slightly reduced, however,
none will lack job, az there is work
for every one who wants 1t in a dozen
lines Of activity, mostly governmental.