The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1920-01-12
OWNERS OF BOOZE
Get 4 JOLT.
The Enforcement Rules Are
Drastic.
MUST CHECK UP STOCK
Owners of Liquor Stores Outside Pri-
vate Homes Must Prove Purchase
Prior to July 1, 1919.

Owners of Liquor Stores Outside Pri-
vate Homes Must Prove Purchase
Prior to July I, 1919.
Philadelphia, Jan 12.-Owners Of
large private stocks of liquor who
nave been gloating over the adyant-
ages they expected to enjoy after mid
night of January IS, when the eigh-
teenth amendment TO the constitution
becomes effective, are due for rude
awakening when they learn the details
of restrictions based on the Nolstead
act to enforce prohibition.
Under the direction of John +. kra-
mer, federal prohibition Commissioners,
deputies in ten national districts have
been organizing a complex machinery
of enforcement. The rules back
this are the mdkt drastic and fan
reaching in the hiSory of the country,
permitting wider latitude to the gov
ernment laws for purchase, use and
transportation of explosives and The
most deadly poisons.
In addition, the machinery of prose-
cution IS to be backed up by state or
ganizations, each headed by a govern
ment agent, the duty of which will be
to control the legal use Of liquor I'M
der permits as provided for in the
law. These organizations will be the
rallying point for existing state and
national bodies such as the Anti-Sa-
loon League.
Liquor men peddling their excess
stocks to wealthy tiplers nave been
saying for months that the govern
ment would have no means of check
ing up on private owners. The an
swer 70 this was the ruling Of the in
ternal revenue department that all
owners must report stocks held out
side their residences within ten days
after constitutional prohibition be-
comes effective.
The next blow was the ruling that
liquor so held may not be used for
beverage purposes under and condi-
tions except those of permit govern
ing the sale to druggists, and by them
to patients on medical prescriptions.
In other words, the owner is limited
to the personal use of what liquor he
may store in his home.
For owners of big mansions this
carries no terrors. But for those who
live in apartments It spells doom. For
the law provides that man may not
rent q room at club and call it his
home. He may keep liquor in a lock.
er at his club, but he cannot have II
on the dining table. And he cannot
take a drink himself at the locker, but
| only in his room.
This ruling is reached under the
provision of the law that liquor pri
vately owned may not be consumed in
public places. The department has
decided that a locker room Is pub,
lis place. So also with a club dining
room, no matter how exclusive.
To buyers of liquor in wholesale
lots wartime prohibition was a joke
They found no difficulty, and are find
ing none now, in getting all the case
goods their pockets can stand. But q
little joker in the Volstead act, effec
tive on January 16, puts crimp il
! this system.
1t is provided that The owner Of
| liquor stored outside private resi-
| dence must be prepared to prove thai
he owned it prior to July 1, 1919
when wartime prohibition went into
effect. Failure to prove this automati
! cally makes the liquor contraband
| subject to seizure, and its owner sub
! ject to fine for violation Of the law.