The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-07-02
Eleventh Hour Exemption o.
Wine and Beer Causes
MISUNDERSTANDING.
MINNESOTA BONE DR)
State Law Prohibits Even Beer o
Low Alcoholic contents--Deaiers
In United States Sell at
Their Own Risk.

Baltimore, July 2.-Judge John
c. Rose of the United States Dis
trict court has sustained the de-
murrer of the Standard Brewing
company of this city to the In
dictment by the United States gov
ernment in the manufacture of
2.75 per cent beer. The decision
may mean continuation of the sale
of 2.75 per cent beer as Attorney
General A. M. Palmer stated It
would rest on the Baltimore case.
This decision is on the one-haIf Of
one per cent beer, but 1t virtually
means 2.75 per cent beer, as Judge
Rose has put II up to the govern
ment to say what Is intoxicating
and what not.
Washington, July 2.-The federal
department of justice has announced
that it. will make no move to prosecute
sellers of light wines and beer con.
tanning not more than 2& per cent OF
alcohol, pending a final decision by
the United States courts or congress
on what intoxicating liquor is, but
on the other hand the same depart
ment announces that those who sell
such wine or beer are In danger or
arrest and prosecution. The only
way to harmonize these statements,
Washington dispatches indicate, is TO
interpret them as warning to sellers
of light wines or beer that they do
SO at their own risk and will be liable
to prosecution hereafter for what they
do now, If it is decided later that their
acts are unlawful. Wartime prohibi-
tion will continue until President Viii.
son decides that rehabilitation of Ma
tional Guard and National Army troops
is completed Some have estimated
that the troops will be demobiliZed
by Aug. /, and others not until Octo-
ber The president stated Saturday
night that he would act as soon as
he had the power. III he should re-.
woke the wartime lid the sale OF all
kinds of liquor would be allowed, ex-
cept in prohibited states and districts,
until jan 16, 1920, when the national
prohibition amendment will take ef-
feet. Even then the question will
arise as to what intoxicating liquor is.
unless decided in the meantime.
Minnesota Bone Dry.
Minnesota is bone dry under the
state prohibition law.
No beverages with more than half
OF | per cent of alcohol may legally
be made or sold in the state.
The penalty for first violation OF
the law is fine of 800 to $500. For
subsequent offenses the penalty Is a
fine and Imprisonment, from 80 days
to six months.
The state law is In effect perma-
nently, unless il is suspended for a
time by suspension of the federal war
time prohibition law, before the fed
eral prohibition goes into effect, Jan.
16, 1920.
All saloon licenses are void under
the law, but saloons may remain open
to sell soft drinks. They must have
licenses from the state hotel inspee-
tor as refreshment places, costing
$3.50 year
All liquor found on the premises
where illegal sales are made is to be
confiscated.
Persistent violators may be tied up
by injunction proceedings. after the
place is declared nuisance by the
court. The premises may be closed
unless the owner files a bond to guar
antee that they will not be misused.
violators of an Injunction are pun
ished for contempt of court.
Transportation of liquor from place
to place Is forbidden by the law. The
law does not provide for search of
private residences. or for search and
seizure anywhere without a warrant.