Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-07-11
DRY SPELL HANGS
ON RATIFICATION
Resumption of the Liquor Traffic
Rests With Action of
U. S. Senate.
PALMER's OPINION CITED
Proclamation of a State of Peace Nee
essary Before Restrictive Pro-
visions Are Wiped Off Statute
Books-DeIay Is Likely.

Washington, July 2.-The house ju-
dietary committee probably will meer
next Monday to report out straight
bill for enforcement of wartime pro-
hibition so as to stop the sale of "a
per cent beer. At most, it is said, "a
per cent beer would be o.. the market
less than two weeks.
This plan virtually was agreed upon
after leaders had decided to defer con-
sideration of all prohibition legislation
until next week. House leaders said
that if the bill were reported by the
committee Monday or Tuesday, it
would be passed without extended de-
bate and sent to the senate.
Test cases on the sale of beverages
containing more than one-half of l per
cent of alcohol will be brought imme-
diately by the department of justice
In all jurisdictions where such cases
are not now pending.
"We propose to make immediate ar
rests of persons who violate the war
time prohibition law according to our
Interpretation thereof" Attorney Gen.
eral Palmer said. 'The department
does not intend, however, to be swept
off its feet the first day that prohibi-
ton comes into effect. We will proceed
in an orderly fashion to establish
whether intoxicating beverages pro-
scribed by the law include those hav-
ing less than 2% per cent alcohol.
Mr.. Palmer reiterated that all per-
sons violating the law might expect
"early and vigorous" prosecution:
While there remains question as to
whether 2% per cent beer is intoxicat-
ing, the department of justice will not
attempt wholesale arrests, but if de-
cision in the pending case at Baltimore
is favorable to the government, prose-
cution will result promptly.
The attorney general said the test
cases in New York resulted in a deci-
sion requiring the prosecution to prove
that the beer in question was intoxi-
| eating in each individual case, and
that, therefore, decision in the Balti-
more case was desired to give a clear
cut Interpretation of whether 2A per
cent beer was, in fact, intoxicating. If
| upheld by the Supreme court. such a
decision would be applicable to the
entire country.
Meantime the attorney general is
hopeful that congress will pass legis-
! lation for the enforcement of wartime
prohibition. which would do away with
existing uncertainties.
| When informed of reports that sa.
looms in Atlantic City were continuing
to dispense whisky and similar drinks,
Mr.. Palmer said:
swell. there is no uncertainty in
cases like that"
Chicago. July IA Washington
dispatch to the Chicago Daily News
says:
"The senate Of the United State;
alone can say when the prohibition
regulation which has just gone intt
effect can be removed. A proclama
ton of state of peace depends upor
the exchange of ratifications of tn,
peace treaty. Until the senate ha.
ratified the peace treaty Presiden-
Wilson will not proclaim that Amer
lea has emerged from state of war
'This action is forecast by Attorney
General Palmer himself AS the prin
cipal law officer of the government
and legal adviser of the president HI
has rendered a judgment that it will
be unlawful to trade with the enem!
until peace has been proclaimed.