South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-11-13
PROHIBITION
AGENTS BAN
HOME BREW
Forbid Sale of Hops and Malt
Extract to Individ-
uals.

WASHINGTON. Nov. II. - The
Internal revenue bureau in formal
statements today confirmed reports
that a crusade against home brew
ing OF alcoholic beverages is planned
by the governments prohibition en-
forcement agencies. The bureau did
not reveal however. the means II
purposed TO employ in the campaign
nor admit that IL had approved pre-
liminary instructions TO prohibition
Commissioner Kramer directing that
sales of malt hops be restricted 10
bakers and cOnfectiOners.
IF malt extract hops. isinglass,
gellatine, or other materials are
sold or advertised for sale in cir
cumstances which show that they
are advertiZed or sold for use in
the unlawful manufacture of into
xicating liquor" said a statement
issued tonight by Commissioners
Williams Of the Internal revenue
bureau. "it is the purpose OF the
bureau to prosecute persons so Of
Tending"
Homo Brew Unlawful.
The so-called home brewed beer
manufactured in the home for
beverage purposes. even though for
the sole use Of the family and bona
fide guests, is under the bureau S
construction of the law, iIegel, and
the sale OF materials for the purpose
of such manufacture - likewise
illegal"
The statement OF the federal pro-
hibition director Of Ohio, that he
had received instructions from Mr..
Kramer TO prevent sale OF malt hops
except TO bakers and TO cOnfec-
TONERS has not been denied by the
internal revenue bureau although
10 Is understood that Commissioner
Wi1liamslhas not YET approved these
specific orders.
Officials Differ.
There was an apparent difference
OF opinion between the officers Of
the bureau and Commissioner Kram-
er's staff officers TO the powers
granted under the Volstead act with
respect to prohibition the sale Of
articles employed in the manufacture
OF beer at home. Commissioner
Williams conferred during the day
with aides familiar with the act
and this was followed by numerous
other conferences in the bureau, the
nature OF which was pot disclosed.
Officials OF the prohibition unit
declined 10 discuss any phase Of the
question. Assistant Commissioned
Bliss OF the prohibition staff was
among those who talked with Com
missioner Williams but neither
would say what conclusions We're
arrived at.
Orders Are Sc ret.
The only informatiol obtainablC
at prohibition he; quarters indi-
Gated that the ordC restricting the
sale of malt haps to which the Ohio
director referred were in form a
confidential instructions sent to al
/ enforcement officers. This method
| is commonly employed by COmmic-
sioner Kramer in all orders issued
no publicity being given 10 them ex
I ccpt I'm unusual cases.
notwithstanding the assertion oi
I internal revenue officials that they
! knew nothing OF the specific order
| Il was persiStcntly reported that a
/ least one official had been consulted
! regarding the advisa bility of sendinl
/ u through the routine, 10 make 4
a formal treasury decision WheT
\ such orders become Of treasury re
cord, they are revokable only by tn,
! secretary OF the treasury or cour
/ order.
COMMISSIONS Williams statemen
/ declared IL hId never been tn,
(CONTINUED on PAGE FOUR