Omaha daily bee., 1920-02-10
RUSH TO OBTAIN
LICENSES FOR
WHISKY SALES
Doctors and Druggists Both
File Applications With the
Federal Prohibition
Director Here.

More than 100 APPLICATIONS have
been received by James Hanley,
federal prohibition director for Ne
braska, from doctors and druggists
for permits to prescribe and dis
pense liquor for medicinal purpo ses.
AT least Is reputable physicians
called at my office Friday and Sat
urday." said Mr. Hanley. They
advocated the use of liquor as bene-
ficial in influenza and pneumonia
cases and asserted that they were
anxious to obtain their permits as
soon as possible.
To Sell 81 Pints.
Omaha druggists will be en-
abled to sell whisky at all average
price Of 81 per pint. They will buy
their liquor from the government
for about $3.50 a gallon and must
pay an additional federal tax Of
$3.50 a gallon. This will make the
cost per gallon to the druggists
about Sll and they will probably
sell it for $40, or 81 pint"
No permits have been issued by
Mr.. Hsnley, who IS waiting for A.
G.. Dingley ahd N B. Miller. spe-
cal prohibition field supervisors,
who will come to Omaha within
10 days to check receipts, permits,
prescription blanks and other ma
terial in the local office. Permits
will be issued Immediately after this
checking is completed.
The issuance of permits for the
purchase of alcohol for nonbeverage
purposes is still in charge of the
internal revenue office. This bust
ness also will be turned over to
Mr.. Hanley when the field super
vlSOrS arrive here.
No Laophole in Law.
There is no loophole in this
federal law" said Mr.. Hanley. The
fact that druggists will be permit itted
to maintain and sell stocks of liquor
does not mean that everyone who
has a doctor friend will be able
to get booze for beverage purposes.
These physicians have their rep
utation for integrity at stake. Their
character is investigated before
they are issued permits and they
are required to deposit bonds of
$1,000 Druggists must also de-
posit bonds in the same amount.
Strict supervision will be main
tanned and the federal law makes
adequate provision for the prosecu-
ton of all violators. All of the ply
sicians that have called to see me
are sincere in their motive. They
realize Tie mistake of abusing the
afforded by the new law
ard mos. of them declare that liquor
has definite medicinal value in GER
tain cases.
One doctor said he had seven
If hucnza patients for whom he
would prescribe whisky as soon as
he could Get his permit"
A large quantity of blanks have
been received by Mr.. Hanley. They
numbered prescription
blanks, registered permits and other
stationery to be used in the elabor-
ate system which has been devised
for 'eont: oIling the dispensing Of
liquor.
Conflict of Laws.
Elmer Thomas, Omaha attorney
ard All advocate of prohibition. con-
ierred with, Mr.. Hanley about the
conflict between the state statutes
a3d the federal law which permits
druggists to sell liquor, The Nebras-
ka statute forbids sales even for
medicinal purposes.
This Office is not directly con-
cerncd with the state law" said Mr.
Hanley. "The federal law is plain in
its instructions to me. | am obliged
to issue permits upon application,
for the applicant could mandamus
me and force me to do so if | refuse.
We cannot guarantee anyone, pro-
lection from the state law, but we
are not concerned with its enforce
inCnt"