The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-21
Department of Justice Prob
ably Will Enforce Prohi-
biti0n Mandate.
HAS BIG FORCE READY
Roper Lacks Trained Crew:
No Intimation of Change
in July 1 Ruling.
BREWERS FACE ARREST
If 2.15 Per Cent. Beer Is De-
clared Illegal, L. s. Will
Start Actions.

WASHINGTON. April 20.-The Depart
meht OF Justice is not avcrse to ac-
cepting the functions of enforcing the
war time prohibition measure when II
goes into effect July !. II was learned
to-day. Consequently it is expected
proposal that the enforcement be
entrusted to this agency will be sub
mtted to President Wilson on his re-
turn from Europe, and that he will be
urged TO take this action under au-
thority of the Overman act, which
permits him to transfer duties from
one Government department to an
other.
Discussion of where the power to en-
force prohibition may be lodged was
prompted here by the announcement of
Internal Revenue Commissioner Roper
that his bureau had not the force to
police the nation adequately with re-
spect TO prohibition violations after
July 1.
Attorney-Generai Palmer has not
stated officially that he will welcome
the additional duties of enforcing pro-
6ibition, but It Is said that his advisers
In the Department of Justice have told
him the cessation Of war work has left
number OF secret agents available for
some kind OF work, and that they could
take on easily the liquor enforcement
function.
Whether the President has indicated
any dehnite Intention of giving the work
to the Department OF Justice could not
be learned here. Indications were that
he would not take action until his re-
turn from Europe. AS yet no action has
been taken by the Revenue Bureau to
prepare for enforcing the prohibition law.
Neither have there been any reports In
dlcating whether the President was con-
siderng seriously suggestions said tc
have been made to him by high Govern
ment officials that the effectiveness OF
wartime prohibition be postponed from
July l through declaring the period oi
rehabilitation at an end
Nothing substantial stands immedi
ately in the way OF production by brew
eTs Of beer containing ga per cent Of
alcohol since the Revenue Bureau. or
the Department OF Justices approval
has decided to issue TO these brewer.
revenue stamps required for regular
beer This decision is not to be taker
as indicating the final attitude of th'
bureau. however, it was explained to
day
stiII Call 2..5 Beer Illegal.
The bureau still holds that beer con
tanning more than u OF ! per cent. o.
alcohol Is intoxicating and cannot b'
produced under the Presidents order
forbidding the manufacture OF intoxicat
ine beverages after December l. Thi,
attitude is held I'm allegiance. however
pending an opinion from Attorney
General Palmer. which was sought afte
brewers in New York announced thei
belief that 2A per cent. beer might b,
made under existing laws and regula
tions.
This beer is being marketed in New
York and similar action probably will b
taken soon in other communities.
II II Is finally held by the Governmen
that manufacture of beer with more tha
II OF per cent alcohol violates exist
ing laws and regulations, the producer
of 2& per cent. beer will be liable 70
prosecution. officials maintain.