Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-10-14
SALOON MEN SHORT
OF SHELF GOODS
Local Dealers Deplete Stocks
in Anticipation Of Dry
Law Enforcement.
TRAFFIC SOON TO CEASE

| Depleted condition of the supplies OF
so-called shelf goods" otherwise bot
tied intoxicants, IN liquor establish
ments OF this city, according to anti
saloon forces. Is an Indication OF the
gradual death Of the traffic In intoxi-
cants- Under the provisions OF the
Sheppard dry bill the selling OF liquor
! must cease not later than midnight the
last Of this month, but the laws will
not permit the holding of the pro-
verbal wake. Death OF the liquor traf-
fic and Halloween fall on the same
night and. it Is stated, some mem bers
of the police force anticipate working
overtime that night.
Mai. Pullman. superintendent of po-
; lice. anticipates no more than the
usual amount of trouble, however, but
will have a large force of men on the
streets. There will be the customary
Halloween order against street noises
and disorders on the part of boys
which will be issued by the superin-
tendent of police. and It is possible
that the order will contain reference
TO those who may try to irnbtbe
enough stimulants to last them be-
yond the limit of the wet season.
Last-Minute Closing Expected.
1t is believed by some members of
the police force that a number of sa-
looms will not close their doors until
the last minute, while others will not
attempt to do business for very long
period after shutdown the last day. A
number of liquor establishments al
ready have closed their doors. accord
Ing to District records. and one by one
the number of remaining establishments
Is gradually decreasing.
There are fifteen more days during
which dealers in intoxicants may dis
pense such beverages. and advanced
prices of stimulants have been the
means of forcing many imbibers to re-
duce the number of their drinks and
also to increase their volume. Many
already have abandoned whisky drink
ing. and are patronizing the end of the
bar at which nickel drinks are served.
When the war revenue bill increased
the tax on distilled liquors some deal
ers conceived the idea OF using smaller
glasses rather than increase the price,
but drinkers did not take kindly to the
change and shifted their drinking to
other stands where the large glasses
still were in use
Police records show a large number
OF arrests for intoxication during the
past few weeks, convincing the guar
dams OF the peace that the drinkers are
determined to get the benefit of the
liquor while the task is easy, and last
nights activities in saloons and whole
sale places indicated that many patrons
had not taken advantage of cheap Of
fers before the war tax increased the
prices of intoxicantA
No "Jot Lots in Sight.
There are many men who think cheap
job lots will be offered tho last few days
the city is wet" said saloonkeeper to a
IN Ioc
be no such lots offered
Most dealers are getting rid of their
supplies rapidly enough to suggest that
there will be bat little left when the dry
bell tolls" he added. land the small stocks
left may be held for home consumption"
1t Is stated that very few wholesale. deal
ers have large quantities of liquor on hand.
and those who are convinced they will
not be able to dispose of their goods be-
fore November l, 1t is stated, already
have planned to ship them elsewhere in
time to insure their being out of this city
before the new law becomes effective.
Suit cases were carried by many
patrons Of liquor places last night Some
OF the carriers, 1t is said, were from
Virginia, where the Reed amendment ia
applicable and where the territory is sup
posed to be bone dry. In spite Of the
provisions Of the law. however, it is said
much liquor has been taken across the
river since the law became effective, and
police have made a number OF arrests of
such persons.
Officers to Keep Tab.
1t was said last night that agents of
the department of Justice and members
Of Mai Pullman's force will keep close
tab on Reed amendment yioIators from
now until November /. and all law break
ers who may be caught will have to
answer charges in court. Their arrests,
1t Is pointed out. probably will prevent a
number of Virginians from getting in sup
plies before Washington goes dry, when
Baltimore will be the nearest oasis
Word comes from Baltimore that visit
ors from this city and Virginia who go
there to obtain liquor after November
are doomed to disappointment The re-
port, which has not been verified includes
the statement that bottled goods will not
be sold in barrooms.
According to a report from Baltimore ;"
said a patron of local saloons to a Star
reporter last night. ~Washingtonians who
| expect to motor to the Monumental CITY
after November and get a few bottles
of beer or whisky will get left II seems
that Baltimore dealers are not going to
cause any undue complaints against the
conduct of their business growing out of
a desire some of them may have to cater
| to the Washington trade to increase their
| sales"
| II is known that the Maryland Anti
| Saloon League the coming winter will
make strenuous effort to have the city
| OF Baltimore added to the list of dry
! places, their plan embracing state wide
/ prohibition Baltimore voted wet at the
| last election. as did Prince Georges county
but the legislature voted that county dry.
! v,1 CT