The Washington times., 1919-04-20

can be used as an intoxicant. They viii
rat the same time watch oHt to stop the
transportation Of any liquors between
States.
But to the local State officials will prcs-
ably be left the searching out Of liquor
kept secretly for personal use by indi-
,Viduals.
During the last few months millions Of
gallons Of hard liquors, wines ard beer
have been bought by individuals and laid
aside in their homes so that in the dry
years to come they will have a drop OF
brandy for the old people or glass Of
whiskey son cold, wet day, or bottle OF
beer on a hot August evening.
While the national prohibition law was
being passed and before it actually went
into effect there was no way OF prevent
ing private parties from buying liquor to
take home and keep for the future. Thus
the liquor dealers have been able to dis
nose of their enormous stocks with great
speed and at high prices to Individual
househOlders.
But the prohibitionists have not lost
sight of this liquor and it is hoped thai
these hidden bottles can be hunted out and
seized after the new law goes into efect
next January.
Each State Legislature will be called
upon 10 enact law for the purpose OF en-
forcing the new nationwide prohibition.
The law recently passed by the State OF
Michigan, and already referred to above, is
regarded as a very good model Tor enec-
tive enforcement, and a similar law VIII
he offered to the various Legislatures OF
the States which at this moment are wet"
but must be bone dry the first of next year.
The Michigan law is based upon the broad
foundation that the possession or liquor"
is unlawful. Governor Sleeper, Of Michi-
gan. pointed to the real significance of the
law In these words: "Our law makes 1t a
felony to be found with liquor in ones
possession"
with a State law built on this founda-
tion any suspected person, trunk satchel'
bundle. automobile, store, house or oarn
can he searched from top to bottom.
Where the prohibition officers are not al
lowed TO search Of their own will they can
appIv for a search warrant, which can De
obtained from any court in hVe minutes.
Armed with a search warrant any private
home can be searched from cellar TO rooI'
and a hidden bottle Of beer brings the
owner face to face with two years IN prison
and a thousand dollar fine SO with
the law in every State modelled on the
present Michigan law it is hoped that those
who have recently bought liquor for their
private homes will either voluntarily de-
stroy it or have it discovered and pay the
penaIty of fine and Imprisonment.
The Government has found that income
fax delinuuents are nearly always reported
10 them by somebody who has grievance
against the delinquent. Those entrusted
with enforcing the law hope that Jealous
neighbors, discharged servants and people
with grievances will furnish information
where nearly every bottle of hidden LIQUOR
can be found. With the law Furnishing
'the possession of liquor it will not take
long to search out all the liquor that has
been stored for private use and punish the
peoDle who possessedUt.
The credit for the effective enforcement
Of the law ih Virginia is due to the capable
administration Of Mr.. ]. Sidney Peters, the