The Washington times., 1919-02-22
STOCK UP. BOOZE
BEFORE D. C. IS DRY

CONTINUED from First Page.)
they bring shipments in after the
law is signed, no matter when
the orders were placed or ship
ments started.
These companies do not violate
the law IL they deliver shipments
received here by them prior to
the law being signed.
Thousands of WaShinEtonians
with stocks of liquors stored away
in cellars apd elsewhere are not
subject to search and seizure" If
these stocks were ordered and
put in before the law becomes ef-
fective.
The existing prohibition law for
the District, backed by the Reed
amendment, foreshadOws a long,
long drought in the District, ex-
cept for stored stocks. Police are
sanguine they can make the
town air-tight.
Read the Law for Yourself.
The Reed amendment became part
Of the POstoffice appropriation bill
approved March 3, 1917. Section 3
OF that act contains absolute prohibit
ton against any letter, postal card.
circular, newspaper, phamphlet, OF
publication of any kind containing
advertisements of alcoholic liquors be-
ing deposited or carried in the mails
when directed to any person Of firm
residing in a State or Territory where
Il is unlawful to advertise or solicit
orders for liquors.
Penalties OF fine or Imprisonment;
or both were provided. Senator Reed
suddenly offered his famous "bone
dry amendment to this section and
that amendment is this:
whoever shall order, purchase,
or cause intoxicating liquors TO
be transported in interstate com
merce, except for scientific, sacra-
mental, medicinal, and mechanical
purposes, into any state or Ter
ritoTy the laws of which State or
Territory prohibit the manufae-
tUre or sale therein Of intoxicat-
ing liquors for beverage pur-
poses shall be punished as afOTe-
said: Provided. That nothing here
in shall authorize the shipment
of liquor into any State contrary
to the laws Of such State: Pro
vided further, That the Postmas-
ter General is hereby authorized
and directed to make public from
time TO time IN suitable bulletins
or public notices the names Of
States in which il is unlawful to
advertise or solicit orders for
such liquors"
Wet Goods Pouring In.
Wet goods have been pouring into
Washington for ten days or two
weeks in great streams and it is esti-
mated that a thousand Washington
ians will go to Baltimore today to
pick up supplies for the real dry
days that are coming.
Large numbers of automobile
trucks have bene running into Wash
ington all this week filled with
whiskjes. to which are attached aff-
davits as provided in the Shepherd
prohibition bill, setting forth that
the shipments are for personal use
only.
The bulk Of the whisliey. though
il rushing in by express and aff-
davits are likewise attached to it,
The express companies are literally
swamped with carloads OF liquids
and are unable to handle them. These
viii be coming in at a swift rate
until Monday.
II was today the opinion OF high Of
fcials Of the Department of Justice that
all shipments reaching Washington prior
to signing Of the bill which makes the
Reed amendment apply to the District
Will escape seizure, and that persons who
ordered before the President signed are
not subject 10 arrest
1t is also the opinion that car
riers should not attempt TO bring in or
deliver whiskies consigned 20 the Dis
trict after the signing. regardless of
the date Of their order.
Great Quantities In Storage.
Immense quantities OF whislIies.
wines. beer and champagne are stored
in private homes in Washington
Men OF money who scent the trend
Of the future and who did not wish
to be without the mellowing influ-
ences Of the past have gone the limit
Many hundreds Of them have
bought whiskey by the barrel. One
man IS known TO have $4,000 worth
of liquors in his home, all for his
personal use, which includes hostal
duties to his friends. 1t is not un-
common at all that from 81 900 10
$4,000 worth IS stored in individual
cellars. Men who never drank even
moderately have laid away supplies
for the future.