Evening star., 1917-03-11
DOES REED DRY ACT
HIT LIQUOR ON HIP?
Nearby Virginians Wonder if
They Can "Tote" Home
Regulation Quart.
LEGAL SHARPS AT ODDS

Many of the drinking population OF
nearby counties of Virginia are in
terested in the question of how the
Reed bone dry" law is to apply to
their state. Their interest is in the
Interpretation to be put on interstate
commerce as set out in the bone dry"
amendment. that particular part of the
amendment providing: Whoever shall
order. purchase or cause intoxicating
liquors to be transported in interstate
commerce. except for scientific. sacra-
mental medicinal and mechanical pur-
poses, into any state or territory the
laws of which state or territory pro-
hibit the manufacture or sale therein
of intoxicating liquors for beverage
purposes shall be punished as afore
said.
Albert z. Shoemaker, attorney for
the Anti-Saloon League. last night was
not prepared to say how far-reaching
the interstate commerce provision of
the law is He was not willing to say
II would apply to person carrying the
regulation quart permitted under the
Virginia law from another state or the
District of Columbia into the Old Do
minion.
Believes 1t Excludes All Liquor.
"Off hand" he said, I'm inclined to
believe the amendment will make Vir
ginia bone dry and will not permit
LIQUOR to be taken there in any man
Irer The law does not become effective
until July /. however, and there is
ample time for construction of the
law to be given widest publicity"
Other provisions of the Reed amend
Nr Shnemaker
no construction. He said he was GER
tain il was the intent of Congress to
make states having anti-manufactur-
ing and anti-sellinS laws absolutely
dry.
Bibulous residents of Virginia. espe-
cially those in nearby counties, are
seeking opinions of their legal friends,
and. it is stated, some of the opinions
hold that the provision refers only to
shipment of liquor by public utilities
1t does not apply to a traveller carry
ing a quart of liquor in his trunk or
grip was the substance of one opin-
ion. nor to man afoot. on horseback
or in a private conveyance.
The penalty provided for violation of
the amendment is fine of $1,000 or SIX
months Imprisonment or both. 1t is
the same the penalty for violation of
that portion of the law which provides
against mailing postal cards. circulars,
Pamphlets and publications of any kind
containing liquor advertisements, the
year imprisonment.
Dispute Mr.. Shoemaker's Views.
Mr.. Shoemaker recently has received
communications from persons interest
ed in the liquor traffic in this city. Some
take issue with his statements relating
to what will take place here when the
saloons are closed, especially that rela-
tions and of the employment of persons
thrown out of work by the new law.
He still is of the opinion that large
properties of brewers and others Will
be utilized quickly for purposes which
will mean the employment of additional
men and probably mean larger profits
for the owners. Other property, he says,
may remain idle for a short time and
rentals from what is now saloon prop
erty will decrease to amounts in keep
ing with neighborinS properties.
That the saloonless city law has come
to stay Mr. Shoemaker has no doubt.
He can magine no happening that will
mean the reopening of drinking places.
he stated. In fact, he is inclined to
believe the future will bring to the
city a bone dry law; one that will
prevent forever the sale or possession
of alcoholic beverages.
"I also am of the opinion that dry
Washington is a forerunner of nation
wide prohibition he said.
Concerned About Prince Georges.
The counsel for the Anti-Saloon
League at this time is concerned chiefly
about the wet spots in Prince Georges
county. Md. Conditions resulting from
the sale of liquor in that county last
Monday, Inauguration day, he suggest
ed. showed that the dry forces have to
get busy. Closing drinking places and
supply houses in nearby Maryland, he
stated. is necessary to make the peo-
pie of this city get full benefits of the
Sheppard law.
When Washington becomes q saloon
less city November !, il is stated it is
probable that the courts will have to
construe several provisions of the law
to make them clear to persons inter-
ested. One question asked by many
persons who do not want to be depriv-
ed of their "toddy" relates to the word
gift as used in the law. 1t is set out
that no person shall import liquor for
sale or gift. and the inquisitive ones
are asking, Cant we treat our friends
at home@
Mr. Shoemaker is of the opinion that
Congress did not intend to prevent per-
sons from treating their friends in the
ordinary way in their homes but
sought to prevent such treating for
business or other unlawful purposes. 1t
is probable that some person will be
found who will place a different con-
struction upon that particular part of
the law, however, and il may mean
that the question will have to be de-
cided in court
Must Make Affidavit.