The Washington times., 1920-12-03

IN WET CASES
Block Prosecutions, Williams
Asserts-0oubt Of Legality
Causes Confusion.

Judicial apathy in dry law cases,
mainly in parts Of the country where
prohibition is not backed by public
sentiment, remains a stumbling
block in prosecuting offenders in
whiskey cases, Revenue Commits
sioner William M. Williams said to-
day, summing up the status Of pro-
hibition in his annual report.
hAfs LIGHT PENALTIES.
Courts In wet" States were held
responsible by him for uncontrolled
activities a law violators by failure
to impose adequate penalties Light
sen lences. he contended, served to en-
courage yiolators In repetition OF
their offences. Failure OF local police
uthorities to cooperate with Federal
enforce nent agents was emhasized az
a real danger TO the cause Of prohibi-
ton
prosecuting officers In many localities
was charged In the report. and Will
'iams further attacked the practice
OF district attorneys In fnilning %
handle more exeditiousiy dry law
cases brought to their attention.
The wet" strongholds H. States
having no SPECIFIC dry ban. and where
a ma jority OF the citizens are said TO
be opposed to prohibition. are turn
ing loose a mood OF liquors Into other
parts of the country. Williams con-
tinued
SEEK UNIFORM COURSE.
Commissioner williams said that
with the cooperation OF the Depart
ment of Justice an effort IL being
made to make the court procedure
more uniform.
The plain intimatiOn Is made by the
report that many OF the regulations
of an administrative nature Issued by
Prohibition Commissioner Kramer are
not believed to be legal, and that the
belief that many such rules Will b"
.vcrturned by higher cout decisions
accounts for the variations In the
point OF view taken by such wide
umbsr of courts and prosecuting
tttorneys. Williams said he was con-
1dent, however, ultimate court deci-
aions would clear the way OF dinicul-
ties. and lead to the adoption OF meth
DDS for better enforcement.
Williams review OF the first year OF
the dry era disclosed q tremendous
output OF distilled spirits. continued
heavy Withdrawals Of whisky from
bonded warehouses and operations
upon a gigantic scale by holders OF
permits authorized to withdraw Ii
quors for mon beverage" purposes
lie declared no record was availahl"
20 show the number of permits issued
by Government officials TO persons
legally entitled to withdraw and sell
liquors.
AGENTS POORLY PAID.
with regard TO charges OF incom-
4, l.
lions stated that be- ause OF tie low
salary scale adopted under an enforce
ment Appropriation OF S2.C0OOOO, men
@ere appointed With no previous
raining or aptitude for their tasks.
Williams revealed in twelve depart
nents OF the United Safes tn re are
Jis Federal prohibition agents. fifty
prohibition directors. and 3O4 pro
hibition inspc ctors. All the off ces
now functioning employ 437 clerks.
llso In service are 42S war house
gents. to protect stored spirits from
heft and accidental loss"
In the twelve months ending June
0, last. there were produced % 6l5
O2 gallons OF taxable distilled spirits,
n Increase OF $4,000 gallons over
he preceding year. or this class OF
istilled spirits there were removed
rom bonded warehouses, on payment
4 Federal tax. 2S.220,0oo taxab'e e
:allons.
There remained in bonded ware
/ nouses June 80, last. 55,s63,7t5 gal
Ions Of whiskey and other liquors. or
lbout 100000 less than the pre-
ceding year.
Private stocks" legally possessed
md reported through inventories rs
icing stored outside domiciles of the
owners amounted to 2,233.0O0 gallons
IF distilled spirits and 1.749,00o gal
ons Of wines liquors. and cordials,
here were 77.7ll possessors Of such
tocks.
Scattered reports from the larger
states, where liquor enforcement Is
fraught with greatest difficulty. re-
vealed convictions are being secured