Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-14
STRIKES DEATHBLOW
AT ILLEGAL TRAFFIC
All Doubt as to "Bone-Dry" Law
Set at Rest by New
Ruling.
PETERS WELCOMES DECISION
Prohibition Commissioner Says Fed
eral Aid Will Greatly Help
State Enforcement.

Striking a dcathhiow to the liquor
traffic by making II virtually impos-
sible to transport liquor into dry"
territory unocr any conditions, the
United States Department OF Justice.
In an opinion upon the provisions OF
tho "bonc-dry" rider TO the post office
appropriation bill prohibiting the ship
ment OF liquor into dry" State held
yesterday that individual cannot
transport liquor into such 81 Common
wealth. either in his personal baggage
or on his person, for any purpose.
All doubt as to what construction
would be pla ced by Federal au,hori-
ties upon this question. since it was
the only one in which there was any
cloud as to the object Of the law. was
set at rest with the departments rul-
ing. Prohibition supporters last night
believed that this decision was one
OF the most important steps taken in
prohibition matters in months.
This ruling. notification OF which
was received in :i"hmond late yester-
day afternoon by Rev. J. Sidney
Peters COMMISSIONS ~ Prohibition.
affects not only Virginia but also
twenty-five other States OF the coun-
try which became "drier" on July ]
under the terms of the "bone-dry''
rider. These states prior to that time
had been listed in the prohibition
column. but in many instances their
laws were lenicnt To more or less
degree. and only became dry" In
true sense with the operation OF the
Federal act.
ONE LooPHoLE orwN
TO VIRGINIA'S THIRSTY
Liquor can now be transported from
!, ~ ~I,.
or any Of the "shcr twenty-five States
affected, only by common carriers. and
then only in limited quantity. rh
Federal measure provides that liquor.
vino or other intoXicants can only n,
shipped into dry State for meGi-
cinai. mechanical. sacramento or
scientific purposes. While Commits
sioner Peters contended Informally
from the passage of the act that il
affected individuals, the general belief
was expressed that il was merely in
tended to regulate transportation com
panies.
There remains only one condition
upon which individuals can have
whisky shipped 10 them in Virginia
from any OF the nearby wet" States
That condition Is that the shipmen, is
intended specifically for medicinal pur-
poses. There is. however. some ques-
tion as to what evidence will he ncces-
sary to prove that the liquor is for
such purposes. and as yet no statement
has been forthcoming from either the
State or Federal authorities as to what
regulations they will promulgate to
govern this phase of the traffic.
Promptly on July l agents of ex-
press companies doing business in Vir-
ginia were supplied with blank forms
section of the Federal law Every
consignee OF liquor since that time has
been required To swear that the ship
ment is intended for one of the four
special uses before it is delivered to
him. No further action. however has
been taken to enforce this provision
OF the law. and II was pointed out that
IT would be simple matter for GER
tain persons to make false affidavit.
ANOTHER BARRICADE TO
STOP LIQUOR TRAFFIC.
Upon the receipt of advices from
Washington. telling of the ruling OF
the Department of Justice, Commits
sioner Peters issued the following
statement:
The decision OF the department to
prosecute those who transport liquor
in their personal baggage will prove
another barricade against the illegal
traffic in whisky. and gives us added
cooperation in our work. In many
communities. where low whites and
blacks are operating illictly. we will
be more able to cope with the situa-
tion, and shall have the help and as
sistance Of the Federal authorities
"In some sections there have been
wholesale violations of the law in the
personal use and unlawful sale of
whisky. In addition to the boot
leggers' and blockaders, there are a
large number of residents of Fairfax.
Alexandria and Loudoun Counties and
the city Of Alexandria. who. because
of their close proximity To Maryland.
are frequently bringing into the State
large quantities of liquor for their
personal use. and bringing 1t in more
frequently than every thirty days. as
provided by the Mapp bill.
with the departments decision maxi
Ing this traffic unlawful together with
, the provisions of the State prohibition
law, 1t is expected that these people
will hesitate in the future before they
continue such traffic"
Mr.. Peters declared that in certain
sections of the State "bootlegging'
had been far more serious than in
other communities. but that with the
departments fuling Of yesterday. this
traffic. he believed, would be virtually
suspended. He pointed out the fact
(continued on Seventh rage.)
G9inE North In Your Automobiies