The sun., 1919-04-13
AGENCY TO ENFORCE
DRY ORDER LACKING
Continued from FIRST Page.

in scope as compared with the nation
wide violations looked for after prohi-
bition goes into effect Tor the entire
country.
Technically interpreted the revenue
laws would constitute sufficient basis for
detecting and prosecuting Illicit manu-
facturets or dispensers of liquor. officials
say. since it violates these laws to make
liquor without authority of tire Revenue
Bureau and without paying the tax.
and the bureau will have no authority
after July to issue licenses. Despite
this, persons detected in the manufac-
ture of whiskey, beer. wine or other
liquors would be subject not only to the
penalties provided by the prohibition
act, but those established by existing
revenue laws and to the payment of
liquor taxes in addition.
Among the officials and influential citi-
zens who are said to have proposed to
President Wilson that he consider the
proclaiming of the end Of demobiliza-
ton before July /, and thus make pro-
hibltion on that date ineffective. are
some ranked as advocates of prohibition.
Their attitude, It was explained to-day.
10 that without proper provision for en-
forcing prohibition there would be many
violations, that consequently the cause Of
prohibition would be discredited and that
might result.
Roper's Advice Unofficial.
There has been no indication Of any
| intention on the part of: the President
| to follow these suggestions 1t also was
stated to-day that the Treasury would
| make no formal or official suggestion re-
garding action to postpone the effective
| date Of prohibition and that any posi-
, ton Mr.. Roper might take on this phns,
of the question would be entirely per
| sonal, and rot in his official capacity
A number of members OF Congress re-
Gently have discussed proposals. that re-
| peal of the wartime prohibition measure
| be sought II n special session IL called
| soon. Even some advocates of prohibi-
! ton have discussed the possibilities OF
| this action, although they have not In
| dictated their adherence to any such plan.
Most prohibition supporters are believed
to be strongly opposed to these sugges-
| tons.
President Wilson also has been asked
| to remove the ban on the brewing OF
! beer now in effect, imposed originally
| as a food conservation act Under a
| modification Of this executive order. per-
| hitting the manufacture OF near beer,
brewers in New York and elsewhere
now are seeking TO make a product con-
| tanning 2% per cent. alcohol, claiming
| this to be Notwithstanding. The rev.
enue bureaus attitude toward 2& per
| cent beer has not yet been determined
! finally, pending receipt Of an opinion
from Attorney General Palmer. Tenn
| porarily. however. Commissioners Roper
has instructed revenue collectors not 10
! sell revenue stamps ordinarily affixed to
beer to brewers desiring TO make IA
per cent. beer.
Thus the manufacture OF this beer at
| this time is considered illegal. and the
| bureau has not been apprised that any
brewers were actually making 1t. Ten
| tatively, II Is said, the contention of the
! revenue bureau is that ~ per cent
| beer may not be made legally under the
| Presidents food conservation order, and
this contention has been upheld in a briei
| presented to AttorneyGeneral Palmer In
connection with the request for ar
| opinion.