The sun., 1919-10-30

then. II the sale goes on, will clap the
law down hard.
There was story In circulation
among saloon men that raids were to
begin at once, and every time the phone
rang in some of the busier places, where
customers we're lined up three or four
deep. the boss made one jump to the
phone box, suspecting a warning that the
Federal cops we're In motion. Repre-
senatiyes Of the Association Opposed to
National Prohibitions leaned to the idea
that the officials would be lenient at first
-lenient on the score OF beer selling
alone-and that then trouble could be
looked for.
VETS TO Ala Enforcement.
One Of the interesting developments OF
the situation Is the policy agreed on by
liquor interests generally in case no re-
lief can be had quickly from the Federal
courts. This policy will be to assist in
law enforcement; to make liquor and
beer SO hard to get that the people
themselves will become resentful and
dissatisfied. An official Of the AssocIa- :
tion Opposed to National Prohibitions
sa Id frankly:
I'VE hope that they will apply the law
80 hard that there won't be a drink left
in the city. That is really the only way to
make the bulk of the people understand
how much Of their liberty of action has
been taken away from them. A lax en-
forcement won't be to our liking at all
The people have got to be awakened
The signs are that the awakening is
ctming. and mean, harsh enforcement
ought to help a lot"
The Volstead act literally became law
at 3 40 p. NJ. on Tuesday Major Por-
ter did not get this Information officially
until yesterday afternoon, when Conn
missioner Roper informed him from
Washington. In the meantime, Of course.
many Of Porter's agents had been snoop-
ing around and had found that the town
vas about as wet as ever up to yester-
day morning. on Tuesday night whiskey
and other kinds OF hard liquor were be-
ing sold as openly as ever in the num-
erous places that have made a practice
of the business. Late on Tuesday night
and early yesterday morning there were
more intoxicated persons trying to navi-
gate under difficulties than have been
seen In the streets for n long time When
morning came, however and saloons re-
opened for business, the proprietors lock-
ed UP the booze and hid the key from
themselves. They continued, as has been
stated, to draw beer.
Many Of them have laid in a supply
of half per cent. and there was a lot
Of bitter jesting about this desplsed
fluid among proprietors and patrons. In
one saloon In Sixth avenue which enjoys
what is known as a neighborhood trade,
the boss, while drawing 2.75 for his
patrons, offered them at the same time,
a sample OF the new half per cent.
How do you like that. hey?" he jibed.
Think you'll want much of that stuff
In your system?"
BABY" Beer Not Popular.
And the patrons pretty generally
agreed that about a thimbleful would
do.
Over in Brooklyn and Queens, saloons
seemed to be dying hard. There was
more kick left in them than Manhattan
places could show. Here and there
across the East River 1t was still pos
| sible up TO last night to- get a drink
of whiskey. The belief was, however
that Brooklyn and Queens will be as
dry to-day as Manhattan was yester-
| day, only a few taking chance ever