The Glenwood post., 1919-07-05
IS NOW
on THE TABOO
Department of Justice Issues
Statement Of Plans to
Make Nation Dry
BEER YET IN DISPUTE

Washington, June 3O.-The depart
ment of justice will take no action,
pending decision in present litigation
against persons manufacturing or sell
ing beer and wines containing 2A per
cent or less alcoholic content. This
statement was made tonight by Attor-
ney General Palmer.
The attorney generals statemen.
said:
AFTER today it will be unlawful to
sell for beverage purposes any dis
titled spirit and any beer, wine or other
intoxicating malt or vinous liquors, ex-
cept for export. This prohibition will
continue under the terms of the law
until conclusion of the present war and
thereafter until the termination of de-
mobilization. AS long as the law thus
remains in force, it must be obeyed and
intend that the department Of JUS
tice shall do its utmost to perform the
duty which the congress has placed
upon it.
"This law has been held to be con-
stitutional and valid by the circuit
court of appeals, sitting in New York.
1t plainly makes unlawful the sale of
whisky, brandy and other distilled
spirits and wine.
"The only controversy that has
arisen is as to whether the sale of beer
containing So little alcohol as not to be
in fact Intoxicating is prohibited. The
government contention has been that
sale Of beer containing as much as olp
half of one per cent alcohol, but the
Interpretation of the act is not free
from difficulty and 1 am endeavoring
to have the question settled by The
courts at the earliest possible moment.
My course with respect to beer con-
tanning less than 2A per cent alcohol
which it is claimed is not intoxicating
will depend upon the ruling which
will soon be made by the courts in
which cases are now pending or in
which other cases may be brought. !
have no power to grant amnesty to any
who may see fit to manufacture or sell
beer pending an authoritative judicial
construction of the law, and l am sure
that brewers and dealers generally un-
IarstonI that hn of
ton will be no protection against pros
ecution for offenses under the law.
"But with respect to whisky, brandy
and other distilled spirits, wine and
beer containing more than 2A per cent
Of alcohol and other Intoxicating malt
or vinous liquors the prohibition is
beyond controversy and but one course
is open to the department of justice.
"All persons found selling such
liquors must be arrested and prosecut-
ed. The district attorneys will cause
warrants to be issued for all offenders
as to whom evidence is furnished by
the bureau Of investigation the agents
of the internal revenue bureau of the
treasury department, local officers, or
others, and the marshals and their dep
uties will promptly serve such war
rants.
"With the cooperation Of local au-
thorities, II il believed, the law can be
made effective. For this reason I call
attention to the fact that it Is the duty
of local arresting officers to make ar
rests for ohenses committed in their
presence whether the onense be
against the laws Of the state - the
laws Of the United States. I confi-
IDENTIFY expect the hearty cooperation
Of local municipal authorities and
earnestly request that all police o6icses
be instructed 70 arrest psrsons found
selling In violation Of the prohibition