Evening star., 1919-04-13

fective, or even coming near 1t, rev.
enue officials now explain. Campaigns
against moonshiners. which hereto
fore have engaged a large force OF
revenue agents. have been very linn
tied In scope. as compared with the
nationwide violation looked for after
prohibition goes into effect for the
entire country.
Technically interpreted, the revenue
: laws would constitute sufficient basis
for detecting and prosecuting Illicit
manufacturers or dispensers OF Hquor.
officials say. since it violates these
: laws to make liquor without author
j ity of the revenue bureau, and with
out paying the tax, and the bureau
will have no authority after July i
to issue licenses. Despite this. per-
sons detected in the manufacture of
whisky, beer. wine or other liquors
would be subject, not only to the
penalties provided by the prohibition
act, but those established by existing
revenue laws. and to the payment of
liquor taxes in addition.
Among the officials and influential
citizens who are said to have pro-
posed to President Wilson that he
consider the proclaiminS of the end
of demobiliZation before July l, and
thus render prohibition on that date
ineffective. are some ranked is advo-
SdtCS VI lHCiI dllfluuc
1t was explained today, is that with
out proper provision for enforcing
prohibition. there would be many vio-
1ations, that consequently the cause
of prohibition would be discredited
and that a revulsion of feeling on the
question might occur.
Presidents Attitude Not Known.
There has been no Indication of a.y
intention ou the part OF the Presi-
dent to follow these suggestions for
the sake of preyeniV- the effective
ness of wartime prohr. ition. 1t also
was stated that the Treasury would
make no formal or Official suggestion
regarding action to postpone the ef-
fective date of prohibition, and that
any position Mr.. Roper might take
on this phase of the question would
be entirely personal, and not in his
official capacity.
A number of members of Congress
recently have discussed proposals that
repeal of the wartime prohibition
measure be sought if special session
is called soon. Even some advocates
CT prohibition have discussed the pos
sibilities of this action, although they
have not indicated their adherence 10
any such plan. Most prohibition sup
porters are believed to be strongly
opposed to these suggestions
Want Ban on Beer Removed.
President Wilson also has been
asked to remove the ban of the brew
ing of beer now in effect. imposed
originally as food conservation act.
Under a modification of this execu-
tive order permitting the manufacture
of 'near-bear," brewers in New York
and elsewhere now are seeking to
make a product containing ~ per
cent alcohol. claiming this to be nom
intoxicating. The revenue bureaus
attitude toward 2% per cent teer has
not vet been determined finally, pend
ing receipt of an opinion from Attor-
ney General Palmer. Temporarily.
however. Commissioner Roper has in
structed collectors not to sell revenue
stamps ordinarily affixed to beer to
brewers desiring to make * per cent
beer.
Thus the manufacture of this beer
ut this time is considered Illegal, and
the bureau has not been appraised
that any brewers were actually max
ing it. Tentatively, it is said. the
contention of the revenue bureau is
hat 2 3-4 per cent beer may not be
made legally under the Presidents
food conservation order, and this con-
tention has been upheld in brief
presented to Attorney General Palmer
in connection with the request for an
opinion.