The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-09-05

what precise degree OF alcoholic content made
beverage intoxicating liquor. The department of
internal revenue promptly announced that it clas-
sified as intoxicating liquor all beverages con-
tanning more than one-haf of per cent of al
cohol; and that department has consistently ad-
hered to this position. Some of the brewers had
prepared to meet whatever demand there might
be for "one-haf per cent" beer, and many saloon
keepers where prohibition had not already been
in effect, laid in stock of it trial. The liquor
interests, meanwhile set up claim that it was
legal to sell beer containing 2s4 per cent of aco-
hol, and engaged distinguished counsel to sup
port that claim in the courts. On the strength
of this action, some saloon-keepers, notably in
New York City, whatever else they may have
done, lost no time in beginning to sell 1884 per
cent beer. Some men who had been in the liquor
trade in other Cities glad Of any sort of prospect
of continuing their business in the hope that
there would be period of traffic of the usual
proportions between the problematical expiration
of wartime prohibition and the beginning of con-
stitutional prohibition, next Jenuary, grasped at
the straw apparently thus offered. Prosecu-
tions were begun by the department of justice,
but in some sections the decisions of the federal
courts were such that the dealers felt encour-
aged to continue to dispense "2A per cent beer.
"Not few saloon-keepers in a number of
cities have evidently assumed of late, that the
agents of the department of justice were so much
absorbed in the campaign to reduce the cost of
living, and general attention occupied
with>this subject, that they could depart from a
rigid compliance with the law without detection.
But they were evidently mistaken, as they per-
haps may have been convinced by about 70 ar
rests suddenly made in New York City, and a
score or more in Chicago, few days ago. The
Attorney General, A. Mitchell Palmer, undertook
further to correct their erring judgment by pub
licly reiterating his promise to enforce wartime
prohibition, and saying that arrests in other
cities might be expected. Mr.. Palmer pointed
out plainly that, even if the heavy burden of
work resting on the department agents made
them little tardy in reaching the offenders,
there was yet ample time in which to initiate
prosecutions.
'The department of justice evidently does
not intend that saloon-keepers shall violate the
law with impunity, for the chief prosecutor de-
clared that the task of running down profiteers
in food and other necessaries would not prevent
the strict enforcement of prohibition, with the
exception of the sale of light beer in jurisdic-
lions where the courts have held that it Is not
Intoxicating within the meaning of the law.
There is reason for all elements in the nation to
believe that what the attorney general promises
to do he will do He will, no doubt be greatly
assisted in his work by the measure which has
been passed by the house and it is understood,
informally agreed to in the senate, designating
any beverage containing NOR ethan half of per
cent of alcohol as Intoxicating liquor"