Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-02-25
Capital City Loads
Up Booze Cellars
Before Drouth
IRy n. q. pouxherty.l


Washington, heb. 25.---Eyer since
the rider Was hung onto the revenue
DILL nYklng theh District OF Columbia
"bonesdry" tha fayorite diversion Ok
Washing tonians has been that OF plan
ming and oontriy!ng 10 accumulate
stores OF wet goods AGAINST the Iona
long drouth. When It was learned thar
President Wilson would arrive In Bos-
ton Monday md sign the bill. perhaps
Immediately, tius making IL u law
that day. "a very large proportion Ok
the capitals population became Ap-
sorbed in the arovident game.
Saturday blhg holiday, with all
government offices closed In honor
oi the Father .. His Country. and few
wanting to ,lSe a chance during the
early hours OF Monday before the
presidents pen might scrawl across
the revenue bill. thu excursions to
Baltimore, the nearest town 10 the
district were numerous and humorous
While Washington has had local pro-
hibition for about fifteen months, tne
freedom with which drinkables could
be imported has resulted in the avoid
ance of any serious aridity heretofore.
but with the hone dry bill a law, ths
capital becomes q Sahara for sure.
Taking advantage or the convenient
holiday Saturday, Washington people
armed with bags, suit cases ana SACKS
began boarding Baltimore inierurpan
electric cars and steam trains al an
early hour All cars and trains were
packed with people going after their
own goods as the express companies
had refused TO accept more shipments
into the district FOR fear that they
would not be able to deliver the ship
ments before The law became effective.
Bags and Suitcasss Filled.
y Arriving in Baltimore. the prudent
and far-seeing Washingtonians rushed
to the nearest saloons for first aid
and then TO the liquor stores to MI up
their various and miscellaneous en-
traneous receptacles and containers.
The crowds at the bars and stores
We're as great as on the trains. Anti
cipating the rush. the liquor reposito-
ries had put on extra forces OF clerks
and even then the takers OF time by
the forelock nad to wait their turns.
1t was noticeable, much to the de-
light of the purchasers, that the Balti-
more dispensers did not take advantage
of the situation 10 raise prices. TheS
remained just what they had been for
a long time. with a range from $i.5S
to $500 quart for six to fourteen
year old whisky. Most of the investors
from the capital went in for whls-
ky, but there was considerable trade.
also. in wines and liquors. The goods
were deftly packed into bags and suit
cases with a knowledge Of economy OF
space that the dealers have been ac-
Quiring of late. In many cases, now
ever, overflows We're accommodated In
paper packages and in pockets,
The return !rtm Baltimore TO Wash
sngto was much the same story OF
congested trairs, but now their occu-
pants staggered to them under loads
of from ten 10 twenty five pounds OF
Bottled joy, while others staggered un-
der much lighter. hut more deadly
loads which were not visible except In
the locomotion Of the individuals.
On account OF the congestion OF e~,
press facilities. many Washingtonians
have been getting their shipments al
OUTLYING stations, all roads}eadinE In.
to Washington for month past havs
been we'll Travelled with express wag
ems and motor vehicles with cargoes
of viands. Some citizens are known 20
have made calculation Of their re-
manning years Gs life ant have stocked
nm accordingly. 1t is calculated that
WASHINGTON imLibers have laid in sew
eral million dollars worth of wines and
,inuors for private consumption in the
dreary years 20 come, the beginning
whereof is Monday or Tuesday next.