The New York herald., 1920-01-28
US. DRY CHIEF HERE
TO SEEK POLICE AID
j. F. Kramer to Confer with
MeSSrs. Enright and Swami
on Cooperation.
Suggests Officials Induce More Drug.
gists to Take Liquor
Permits.

John r. Kramer, Prohibition Commits
sioner of the United States, came to this
city from Washington yesterday and held
a series Of conferences with local and
federal officials looking to more effective
enforcement Of the federal prohibition law.
In Manhattan he and James S. Shevlin,
supervising agent for this district, met and
talked with s. A. Matthews. Assistant
United States Attorney. and In Brooklyn
they conferred with Bertram M. Gardner,
Collector of Internal Revenue for the dis
Attorney. Mr.. Kramer desired to talk
with District Attorney Swami, Rich
ard F. Enright. Commissioner OF Police
Mr.. Burr Corporation Counsel. and others
for the purpose of devising ways and
means for close cooperation OF tho New
York police with the federal prohibition
enforcement forces. AS Mr.. Swami could
not be present yesterday. Mr.. Kramer re-
turned to Washington after a brief chat
with Mr.. Burr. The conference with the
city officials, it is expected, will be held
tomorrow, Mr.. Kramer returning from the
capital for that purpose
The federal commissioner said he had
come to New York to look over the ground.
as we'll as for the purpose of establishing
closer relations with the municipal author
tiles. He found conditions in the district
he said, in pretty good shape" Mr.. Shev-
lin also, he said, was rapidly getting his
special force OF revenue agents into con-
dition for thorough enforcement OF the
law Mr.. Shevlin and his chief outdoor
assistant John J. Quigley. passed the
greater part of the day in instructing the
newly recruited portion Of the field force
in their duties
While here, Mr.. Kramer suggested to
Mr.. Shevlin that he and William III. Ed
wards. revenue collector, pay particular
attention to the issuing of permits 10
physicians and druggists for the issuing
and filling of liquor prescriptions during
the influenza epidemic He urged that
they try to induce more druggists to ap-
ply for permits and advised that they
put off other work connected with their
offices. If necessary. in order to take
greater care of the public.
Mr.. Kramer later declared that drug
gist who had licenses to sell liquor were
authorized to go ahead and fill prescrip-
tions without going to the trouble Of fill
ing much routine data.
They will still be required to exact
prescriptions" he said, but much other
red tape may be dispensed with in the
legal distribution of LIQUOR
DR.. Copeland. Health Commissioner,
heard yesterday that excessive prices
were being charged by druggists in filling
prescriptions for whiskey. He said
1T is a crime for any druggist to
profteer on whiskey. We would be glad
to hear of any overcharges and will bring
any such complaints before the attention
of the proper authorities for prosecution :"
More than three thousand saloons in
the city. all that remain open. will close
their doors for the last time next Satur-
day. On that day the short term certifi-
Gates issued to them last October expire.
and there is no provision for further
licensing except to drug stores for the sale
Of liquor under physicians prescriptions
for medicinal purposes.