Milford chronicle., 1919-03-21
new LAW IN DELAWARE
TO ENFORCE PROHIBITION
Measure Is Expected to be Effective;
Best 0btainable from Present
Legislature

Delaware people quite generally are
studying the provisions of the State
prohibition enforcing act passed by
the legislature last week after long
fight, an act which Governor Townsend
is expected to sign.
Anti Saloon League officials say it is
the best bill that could be put through
this legislature. 1t lacks several Of
the more stringent features that they
desired, but on the whole it is regard
ed as a pretty effective measure.
The bill is without a search and
seizure" clause, though the possession
of liquor is declared illegal. There is
no Injunction clause. The act goes
into effect January 16 of next year, the
same date as constitutional national
prohibition.
The words liquor and intoxicating
liquor" under the act are construed to
include any distilled malt. spirituous,
yinous, fermented or alcoholic liquor
and all alcoholic liquids and com
pounds, whether proprietary, patented
or not, which are potable or capable
of being used as a beverage or con
tanning so much as One-hah OF one
per cent of alcohol by volume.
No person shall manufacture, sell,
possess, barter, give away or furnish
any intoxicating liquors within the
State, except as provided by the act
Whoever possesses alcohol for medi-
cinal purposes must have the container
labeled with a COPY of the prescription
upon which it was purchased. Con-
tainers of alcohol kept for scientific,
s,I al nawrniftad
must have attached a copy OF the afi1-
davit upon the authority of which 1t
was received.
Druggists may sell pure grain or
ethyl alcohol for medicinal, scientific.
mechanical or industrial purposes, or
wine for sacramental purposes under
specified restrictions. Brandy, whisky,
etc, are barred absolutely.
Druggists must obtain State permits
to sell and file bonds to observe the
law. They shall keep records OF sales
in specified form.
Nothing in the act, it is stated, shall
prevent the possession or sale of de-
natured alcohol or denatured rum in
tended for use only in the industrial or
mechanical arts, upon affidavit as pro-
vided in the act, or prevent the sale
and storing for sale by druggists and
general merchants or others duly Ii
censed. by existing laws of any medi-
cinaI preparations manufactured in ac-
cordance with formulas prescribed by
the United States PharmacOpOela un-
less such preparations are potable or
capable of being used as a beverage, |
or to prevent the manufacture and sale
of toilet, medicinal, antiseptic prepar-
atiOns and solutions which are nom
potable and unfit for beverage and in
ternal use. Alcoholic contents must be
stated. SFlavoring extracts not capable
of being used as a beverage also are
allowed.
ANY physician who may improperly |
prescribe intoxicating liquors by any
shift or device will be guilty of mis-
demeanor.
1t shall be unlawful for any person |
to drink intoxicating liquors in any
street, or public place, in street car
or train or in an automobile in service |
for passenger transportation. train |
or trolley conductor can arrest such |
an offender and turn him over to the |
authorities.
A person found intoxicated shall be
required to testify under oath where |
and from whom he obtained the liquor.
His refusal to answer shall be treated |
as contempt of court or will make him
liable to a fine of from SIS to 500.
Violators of the general provisions |
of the act are subject to imposition OF
a fine of from $50 to $500 and imprison- /
ment for a period of not less than thir- |
ty days and not more than one year in |
Jail or in the New Castle county work
house.
a viOiaIor OF tine act may De pIaceu (
under bond for one year to refrain |
from further violations.