Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-10-20
.2.6BEER ON SALE
SEVEN MORE DAYS
Wartime Prohibition Enforce
ment Act Not Effective
Until October 20
WILSON CAN FORCE CLOSING

Saloonmen of this city will keep open
their establishment seven more business
days for the sale of 2.75 beer
Attorneys of the Retail Liquor Deal
ers' Association have advised its mem
bers the wartime prohibition enforce
ment act becomes effective Tuesday, Oc-
tober 2S. instead of today as was first
presumed.
The enforcement act was passed by
Congress October 10. Under the law
an, act becomes operative ten days after
presentation to the President, unless the
executive approves or vetoes it before
that time.
Bill in Wilson'S Hands
Because of Mr.. Wilson's condition the
act was not sent to him until October
16. Excluding Sundays, as, the consti-
tuition directs, the ten day period cx
tends until October 2S.
The saloons must close before Octo-
ber 2S if the President signs the meas
ure before that time. If the executive
disapproves the act fails as far as it
relates to wartime prohibition, thus
extending the days of grace until Jan
uary 16, when constitutional prohibi-
ton becomes effective.
Summary of Dry Act
A brief summary of the sections of
the enforcement act relating entirely
to wartime prohibition follows:
Section 1. Defnitions-The words
''beer, wine. or other intoxicating malt
or vinous liquors. in the war prohi-
bition act shall be hereafter construed
to mean such beverages which contain
one half of per centum or more of
alcohol by volume.
Section .. Commissioner to en-
force-Commissioner of internal reve-
nue. and his assistants to investigate
violations of war prohibition act and
report to local United States district
attorney, who is directed to prosecute
offenders under the "attorney generals
direction Commissioner and his as
sistants authorized to swear out war
rants for arrest and to conduct prelim-
mary trials under control of the dis
trict attorney.
Section 3. Nuisances-Places where
intoxicating liquors are sold, etc, III
violation of war prohibition act de =
clared common nuisance with penalty
on persons maintaining such nuisances ;
fines and costs to be a lien on the
DTtlulStS, IL Lllt o"hCI has hhoNiNubN
his property is being used in violation
of war prohibition act Violation of
this title on leased premises to work
forfeiture of lease, at option of lessor.
Section 4. njunction-District at
torneys, or other officers designated, to
prosecute suits for the abatement of
such nuisances, sin any court of equity.
United States and state courts being
given concurrent jurisdiction. Temper
ary injunctions may be issued by the
court or judge in vacation, restraining
removal of liquors, ETC., as well as con :
tinuances of the nuisance. No bond to
be required as preliminary to the issue
of a writ of injunction. In case the
court finds there has been violation of
the law, to prohibit sale or storage of
liquors on the premises in question for
year, or during the war and the period
of rehabilitation. Owner, ETC., to be
permitted to resume control of property
by filing bond to abate the nuisance and
prevent its re establishment for year,
or during the war and the period of dc .
mobilization. if the Judge is satisfied of
his good faith. Persons violating in So
functions to be subject to summary
trial and punishment by the court, OF
the judge in vacation. Contempt pro :
ceedings to commence by filing with
clerk of court affidavit of violation fol :
lowed by warrant for arrest issued by
the court or judge. Trial to be on af
fidavits, or oral examination on de-
mand of either party.
Section 5. Powers of officers-Reve-
nue. officers and officers charged with en-
forcing criminal laws to have same
power for enforcing war prohibition act
as for enforcing federal law concerning
manufacture or sale of intoxicating
| liquors.
Section 6. ConstitutIonality-
ity of any section of provision of the
bill not to effect any provision other
wise valid.
Section Z. Repeal and saving clause
No provisions of the bill to be con
strued as limiting any regulations pro-
hibiting manufacture, sale, etc, of in
toxicating liquors within prescribed
zones, or as prohibiting enforcement o.
war prohibition through the military
or naval authorities.