The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-07-03
GREAT WET SPOT ON
THE WATER WAGON
Chicago and All of Illinois Now in
Dry Column.
BEER AND WINES BARRED
State Search and Seizure Law to Be
Used to Clamp the Lid on Tight
Brewers Quit the
Struggle.

Chicago July Chicago and all Of
Illinois became dry this morning de-
spite ruling by the department Of
justice Monday in Washington that
beer and light wines might be sold
pending a decision in q case In New
York which is expected to define just
what is meant ny Intoxicating liquor"
Summarized here Is the situation
from a dry viewpoint:
Under the national wartime prohi-
bition act the United States is dry be-
ginning July / and continuing until
rehabilitation
The only opening by which the beer
and light wines containing less than
pa per cent Of alcohol may be sold
is on the ground that In the national
statutes there is nothing defining an
intoxicating liquor In percentages
In Illinois, with It's search and seiz-
ure law, an Intoxicating liquor is de-
fined as one containing more than one
half of per cent of alcohol.
Illinois therefore is dry territory
under the national amendment.
Liquor containing more than the
amount specified In the search and
seizure bill cannot be sold In Illinois.
This summary gives the contentious
of the dry forces.
Vets Seek Loophole.
The vets admit the first statement
is correct, but plan TO marshal their
best legal talent and seek a loophole.
The "dry" position is the result of
nm opinion by Capt. Frank b. Eh-
bert, general counsel for the Anti-Sa-
loon League Of Illinois, made public
after n statement came from Washing
ton to the effect Attorney General
Palmer had decided on policy of non
Interference, for the time being, with
beer and light wines.
The Ebert opinion was as follows:
I'm answer TO the report that A.
Mitchell Palmer attorney general Of
the United States. has advised that,
pending the outcome of certain suits
started by New York brewer, the
federal government win not prosecute
the sales Of light wine and beer pro-
vided the beverage does not contain
more than % per cent OF alcohol:
Illinois Not Affected.
"Under the wartime prohibition act
the entire nation becomes dry terri
tory at midnight June 30. 1910. The
attorney general decision would have
no bearing whatever In Illinois, for If
the state becomes dry territory-and
It does under the wartime act-the
search and seizure act becomes effect
i've and under this act liquors contain
ing more than one-half Of / per cent
of alcohol are prohibited
eff the Palmer statement is correct
as announced" said T.. ]. Davis, super
intendent of the Anti-Saloon league in
Chicago, ut will mean we will get no
did from the federal government in
sofar as enforcing the dry act against
sellers Of liquor containing more than
one-half of per cent alcohol. But the
attorney general of the state has
fund to enforce the search and seizure
net and we will act through him. We
intend to keep Chicago dry"
The brewers had held a meeting
earlier in the day, before news of the
Palmer statement reached Chicago.
They voted to quit until a presidential
proclamation declares rehabilitation
complete and the wartime prohibition
act a thing Of the past.