Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-01-08
Proves Big Appropriation Not Needed

HNE year ago Prohibition Commissioner j.
~ Sidney Peters demanding and fight
| ing for an annual appropriation of 100000
/ for the work of his department, pleading
! that 1t could not be done with lesser sum
| at his disposal, despite the aid of tho Federal
| police powers and his own right Of call over
county and city law-enforcement officers.
I lie tailed in his demand, the General AS
sembly cutting his figures in half In view
| OF these facts, the commissioners annual re-
port to the Governor is surprising and graft
flying, inasmuch as the figures disclose a
surplus or S1O,091.09, which proves that the
commissioner was able to conduct the affairs
Oh MS department on considerably less than
one-ha!f the amount he sought from the
Assembly as absolutely essential This being
true, 1t will be unnecessary, of course to ask
the Assembly when it convenes next January
10 aouole the present appropriation, for
which 1t is understood campaign already
is actively under way. And before that time
comes nationwide prohibition will have be-
come effective and the States efforts along
Its present lines should diminish ra pidly even
10 the point where the department itself will
be unnecessary and the funds now devoted TO
its maintenance may be used for good roads
and better schools
The commissioners figures prove the wis
dom OF the Assembly in refusing to perm:
ltseil 10 be influenced despite the pressure
oiousht 10 near on 1t, to an undue prodigalty
with the peoples money and also bear out
the truth of conservative statements made
DIT eat time that 100000 would be an cx-
cess!'e appropriation. 1t matters not that
the commissioner has "harbored" this sur
Plus against time when some one might
seek redress from the department; it's exist
ehce Is sufficient evidence of what can be
oone oE proper economy, and the commits
sloner is 10 be congratulated
Not very one will agree with the com
hat tho
purg and Potomac Railroad has been guilty
OF "l!ltuily obstructing the efforts Of prohibi-
toh agents who unlawfully have sought 10
search It's trains and without the formality
OF securing warrants have interfered with
passengers who have intrusted themselves
10 us care. The courts have I'D that public
carriers must be protected in their rights in
splte Oh which there is constant evidence
that railroads entering Virginia have hoon
patent and long suffering under repeated IL
4egaHtles and outrages perpetrated on their
passengers by the agents of the commits
sioher. This prohibition campaign against
me railroads has come to be a disgrace 10
lne state and stencil in the nostrils of the
travelling public and the plant of lack of
cooperation does not come with good rracs
from the commissioners Office
me general public will agree with Tho
ommissioner that the sale OF liquor in Rich
mona by licensed druggist has become out
aseous ana should be stopped. There has
oeeh hasraht abuse of the system b. some
one untii the licensed drug store has de-
generated into dspensary. Where the FAM,
ileS may be revealed by the grand jury. 1t
Is ehilghtenlng 10 be told by the commits
sloher mat whisky can be obtained by pre-
sNi!pt1on ior % cents gill, but il would he
I. sun further cnlightening 10 know how rnany
Oh me lucky prescription holders among
al nose VINO have thronged the drug store
nave called for gill when they were e,
titled to quart
All in all, the commissioners repor, in
d!cates that the importers. the boot1opror,
oiockade runners Illicit dstilers and drup
sore d!Spensaries have had a fairly busy
year IN Virginia. and that the Prohibition
.,par' Haent has been active despite the fact
'ha' It's ohcers have been ''vilifcd slandorcd
assaulted, prosecuted in some Of tho conr,s
ana murdered By the slaves Of appetite from
one direction and profitecrs from appetite
from another"