The Washington times., 1919-11-13
DRYS GROGGY
AT TER HEAVY
jOLTS IN TWO
u. S. COURTS

a Wartime prohibition came up
tI''groggy" today after two blows
amidship in. the courts yesterday,
and "wet' Christmas and, per-
hays, a most Thanksgiving, loomed
as a probability
Official Washington manifested
interest in the decisions of Judge
Arthur L. Brown, of the Federal
court at Providence, R.. l., and of
Judge Evans in the Federal court
at Louisville, KY. Both. granted in
Junetions to prevent the enforce
naent of the wartime act. The war
Ntime act thus becomes imperative
IN these tive districts.
Expect Early Decision.
The action of Judges. Brown and
Evans. and the fact that Chief Justice
White has set November 20. one week
from today. as the date. for the argu-
nents on the constitutionality of the
Law. today led TO the belief that there
might be- an Immediate decision of
|. the court In the event the Supreme
!. Court should decide the law uncop
stitutfonal. saloons in the States that
are wet. except for the Federal acc.
imme dtateIy would open.
Thtfss Ore Sryses 3F which n swoTld
be pSssible legally to obtain "a drinE
until the F'edeFal = a'niendment So.s
into effect, January 10. are California,
Connecticut. Illinois, Louisiana, Mary
land, Massachusetts. Minnesota, Mis-
souri,. New Jersey. New York, Penn
syIvania. Rhode Island and Wiseon-
sIn. sss - ..-..s.-
Believes Law Invalid.
.-. - Pres ident Wilson. -is believed to be
OF the opinion that the wartime pro-
thibftioh law, passed after the arms
tice was signed, is unconstitutional
In his veto of the prohibition 3n-
furcement law. because wartime pro-
hi oftfon was placed in it, the Presi-
dent said that with the army on 4
p-ace-tfme basis. there is no longer
need of such prohibition. 30 -..--
After Congress had passed the bill
ever the Presidents vets,z Attorney
Generaf Palmer discussed the matter
with the President, and asked the
Supreme Court for an immediate de-
i. ,cision. Bankers who have loaned
millions on liquor in bond are opti-
mistic that there will be at least 4
six-week soasis. s-v- 49, .-~s-
= PrehEbitson Gets yelts- 80
Admittedly. the cause OF prob hi
ton has suffered backsets in the
last week. Complete official returns
from Ohio today show a majority
against the ratification of the Fed
eral prohibition. and unmistak eJlly
give the peoples verdict in the first
=~hznes. thsy. have, had To- ,Yote direct
ly on the issue.
At
terday issued a temporary injunction
against Harvey \ Baker United
States attorney, and George F.
O'Shau=hnessy. collector of internal
revenue. restraining them from en-
forcing the prohibition enforcement
act. Tho Injunction was issued upon
the petition of the Narragansett
Brewing Company The sale of per
cont beer immeditely was resumed in
Providence.
Judge Brown.Sin handing down the
decision. said:
I'm view OF the probability that the
act in question will ultimately be held
unconstitutional, and OF the irrepar-
able damage that would result from
its immediate enforcement, and as, in
view OF the evidence afforded by the
Presidential proclamation and other
circumstances, its immediate enforce
ment il not imperative. I am convinced
that the plaintiffs right to prelimi-
nary injunction is clear"
Judge Evans. at Louisville an
noUnced from the bench his belief that
the lazy is unconstitutional. and issued
an Injunction restraining Govern
n1ent interference with the sale by
d'stillers Of tax-paid whiskey.