Arizona republican., 1919-04-15
DRY JAW PUZZLE
 |SST UDIED BY
 LEGAL EXPERTS
Air of Uncertainty Hovers Over Enforcement Rev enue Officers Silent-Also Department of Justice State Officials May Re Handed the Job
1 RepubIlcan 4. 2. Leased WlreI

WASHINGTON. April 14.-Legal ad- vlsers of government agencies inter sted in liquor regulations examined statutes and executive orders today. Ndthout finding specific legal authori- ties by which the internal revenue bu- !cau might enforce var time prohi0i- ton after July ].
 President Wilson, under the Over nan act, giving him power to transfer functions from one department to an- ether, might delegate the authority to Inc revenue bureau. some lawyers de- ciared. However, this still would cave the bureau without, adequate funds to pay rhe costs of maintaining
 large federal police force.
 Suggestions received today did not change materially the air O. uncertain il' over the question of how prohibition is to be enforced. as caused by Internal Revenue Commissioner Roper's an nouncement that his bureau had no au uhority or funds to carry out the en- forcement measures properly. Many tclegrams received today reflected keen interest by individuals and organiza lions throughout the country in the status of war time prohibition. MT Roper added nothing to his statement u replying to these queries, il was said
 Study Legal Aspects
 Legal advisers of other agencies to- day discovered that an executive order of the president, dated September ., l9l7, issued under authority of the Dvermau act, delegated to the revenue bureau and the customs division the enforcement of the provision of the food conservation act of August 10. tal7, which prohibited the use Of food materials in production of whiskey. md paved the way for restriction of ietr brewing. These agencies, acting under the treasury, were authorized 70 employ such additional assistants for this work as the secretary of the fgeasury might deem necessary.
 The amendment to the agricultural appropriation act of November ?, 1918, uy which war time prohibition became effective July l. was established, did not become law until long after that executive order was issued, and conse- quently the order would not apply to inc prohibition measure.
 Act is Quoted
 The act or November 21. 1918, pro yided that after June 20, 1919. until the conclusion of the present war, and hereafter until the termination of de- nobilization, the date of which shall be determined and proclaimed by the president of the United States, it shall Oc unlawful to sell. for beverage pur- poses. any distilled spirits The act also specifics that in this time nc leer. wine or other intoxicating malt pr viuous liquor shall be sold for bev rage purposes, except for export"
 The distinction between this act ana other war time liquor restrictions, a. rointed out today by officials. IS thai 4 relates to the sale of liquor, whereas the other related to manufacture Con soduently, it was explained that tht revenue bureau will not have power t take action against illicit sale. but vii retain it's present powers to prevent il gal production of liquor.
 Up to State Officers
 WASHINGTON, April 14.-State of ficlaIs will be charged with enforce meur Of the war time prohibition act W. II. Anderson. state superintendent of the Anti Saloon League. told tn New York East side Conference of tn Methodist Episcopal church in Brook lyn today.
 The dry" leader disagrees witt Commissioner of Internal Revenu Eoper's announcement that his depart ment was without authority to enforc war time prohibition. thus leaving ap pllcation of the law to federal distric attorneys. The commissioners opin ion, he said, was only 'technicall' correct"