New-York tribune., 1920-01-16
Bone Dry" Nation
From che Outset
Seen by Officials
Enforcement Machinery In
complete in Some States,
They Say. but Scrutiny
Will Prevent Violations
Netc York Tribune
Washington Buredx


WASHINGTON. Jan. 15.-While the
enforcement machinery of the Federal
government is incomplete in several
states, national prohibition officials to-
day declared that no great difficulty
is expected in the enforcement of the
prohlbitory amendment, which becomes
erectlve tomorrow at midnight
John f. kremer, Prohibit,p ,pn Com
missioner, declared to-day that in most
OF the states the governments organ
izatlon is perfected, and where the
organizations are incomplete depen-
dence is placed on the collectors of
internal revenue to continue the en-
torcement duties now prevailing under
wartime prohibition.
Supervising agents have been ap-
pointed in the ten districts of the coun-
try, except the New York district, and
In all OF these the organizations have
been perfected. Colonel Porter, who is
now In charge of the work in the New
fork district, which includes the great
er city, Long Island. Connecticut and
Rhode Island, will continue in charge
until new supervisor has been Sc
lecred, it was said to-day at Commits
Sioner Kramer's office.
The enforcement officials will keep
the liquor traffic under close scrutiny
at ali times. Each state will have a
Federal prohibition director with in
spectors under his direction. These
VIII have charge of the legal use of
liquor and keep check on physicians.
druggists and dispensers of soft drinks
Augmenting this force will be the
internal revenue agents, who will seek
to control the illegal use of intoxi-
cants. Cooperation is expected between
the two enforcing agencies to the end
that the nation will be kept absolutely
bone dry
Both Daniel r. Roper, chief of the
internal Revenue Offices, and Prohibi-
tlon Commissioner Kremer to-day ex-
pressed confidence that the provisions
OF the Eighteenth Amendment would
be obeyed. Both discredited the state
ment that there will be a continuous
run on doctors Offices for ''wet" pre-
scrlptlons. If doctors are found to
disregard the law in issuing prescrip-
tlons--a pint every ten days is the
maximum that can be prescribed to
any individual-their Federal permits
will be withdrawn.
The safety of the 60,000,OOO gallons
OF lquor In government bonded ware
houses is threatened unless CONGRESS-
appropriates S20O0,0OO to establish q
guard of $500 watcnmen over this
property, Commissioner Kramer said
to-day. He presented his request to
the House Committee on APP ropria-
tlons yesterday, stating that the per
missive Withdrawals after constitu-
tional prohibition become effective
would be so few as not to pay the
expenses of maintaining the guard.
The law provides that it is unlaw
ful to sell liquor for beverage pur-
poses; Permission is given to indi-
vlduals, however. to have ntoxicants
in their dwelling for the use of their
families and guests.
individuals holding intoxica ting
liquors for non beverage purposes
must give bond and procure permit
before January 27, setting forth to the
Federal government complete details of
the kind and amount of liquors held on
January II.
Liquors found in storage warehouses
or places other than private dwellings
after February 1, and no report of the
quantity having been made to the
government, will be considered prima
facie evidence of illegal possession.