The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-11-13
PROHIBITION GROWS. IN MAGNITUDE AS
 FEDERAL PROBLEM
Quality of Contraband Is lm- proving and Prices Are De- creasing at Many Points
 In the East
By HUGH W. ROBERTS washington Bureau Ths Ase-Hersls
 S40 O1viison Ruiidiak

Aee-Her1lH
 5so Dsvisseu suildias
 Washington, November 12.-(SpeciaD The decision of the supreme court au- thorizing the possessor of legally ac- quired liquors to transport it from warehouses to home, is not criticized directly by the officers of the Anti Saloon league. It is contended. how ever, thht the release of 1o,oeO.o00 gall Ions of ardent spirits. in addition to that vast bulk illegally seized by police authorities throughout the United states, will intensify situation which has already gone beyond control
 So serious has the situation become with bold and constant infractions of the law, with daily seizures and ar rests, with open drunkenness, and frequent bloodshed and murder that original advocates of prohibition as panacea for all ills, are perforce re- lying exclusively on their contention that present conditions, bad as they are, cannot be compared with those whihch formerly existed.
 So the release of millions of gallons in this crucial stage is viewed by pro- hfbition commissioners with alarm-al- though they do not deny that their interpretation of the law as one de- nying the right of consumption consti- tuted confiscation and was altogether wrong.
 THE FALLING MARKET
 As indicating the general loss of control of enforcing officers, it is & matter of common Knowledge in the east that the price of whisky de- creases and the brand improves. Inn- q n nIxr of tional prohibition, liquor of inferior quality and unfamiliar name retailed for from $l5 to $20 per quart. Today in New York. standard brands sell for go per quart, and in Washington old Taylor can be purchased by the case in any number of cases-at s7o.
 In addition to domestic brands which are obtained possibly from warehouses either by connivance of officials or fraudulent permits, Canadians are en- riching themselves by operating a smuggling business which daily grows in volume
 It is estimated that patrol of the Canadian border to be effective would have to acquire the numerical strength Of the United States army. On the south, Mexico follows the example of Canada, and Cuba is proving a lucra- tive foothold for those inured to the hhZdIu liQuOr smuggling.
 All seaport towns are nests for liquor smugglers. Savannah, at the present time is beyonod control of mu- nicipal, county and even state authori- ties Prohibition officers admit as much in their reports to Washington. And yet Savannah's misconduct does not approach that of New York Bos- ton, Portsmouth or Newport News. It is said that in order to appease their sailors ship masters are permitting them to enter the United States with an amount of liquor not in excess of F quarts. In this manner, each sailor by his European purchase and Ameri- can sale, enriches himself in the sum of $50. and is perfectly willing to make the return trip to England or France, or elsewhere.
 STILLS BEYOND CONTROL
 Reports reaching Washington are to the effect that moonshining in all southern states increases. This fact is borne out in the official reports of increased number of arrests and still Instructions. More stills have been destroyed in the south to date this year than existed prior to national prohibition, it is believed. And yet, two spring up on the ground of single destruction.
 White lightning can be obtained. it is reported to Washington, in any southern town or city. It is said to be green-not over 24 hours old. That it does not require an adept, or one known in the community to obtain it, is proved in the fact that travellers through the south, returning east boast a sample as test of their in- genuity
 The open violation of the law is seemingly condoned by the people. In other days a man displayed his burden of liquor with obvious shame. Now, on the streets of eastern cities he is -4p- parently appreciated by men and wom- en alike as a most ingenious fellow.
 APPEAL TO CONGRESS
 Prohibition authorities in their des-. peration, will go to Congress as soon a it Is in session. They will state the absolute necessity of increasing of the United States. They will in- sist on constantly increasing appro- priations. It Is reported that next year, prohibition enforcement will cost the government $t0,000. 900, with the indication that in the end, the estimate of Senator Warren of Wyoming, that $50,000,0o0 annually will be required will be approximated.
 The Anti-Saloon league will ask the government to buy all liquor in ware ho uses, about 75,000, 900 gallons. It is prepared to answer objection based on the expense involved by pointing out the ease with which the government could buy not by paying prevailing prices but by paying the price of pro- duction---which without government taxes, was about 30 cents per quart.
 There is every indication that the Anti-Saloon league will put its pro-