Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1920-01-16

tContinued From Page Onel
tanning half of one percent. and soft
drinks. And the government sofficials
have taken extraordinary steps TO
carry the provisions of the National
legislation into full effect.
Many of the former liquor dealers in
Annapolis closed their places of bust
ness when the city was made dry" by
the Daniels order The few that have
since handled the 'Inear-beer," and
other connections. will remain open,
according to present indications.
Plenty OF sBeoze'' Left
That the country is far from being
dry is admitted by the Federal authori-
the warehouses there are hundreds of
thousands OF gallons cached ia various
parts Of the country, in addition to the
quantities held by individuals legiti-
fnately obtained. II will be up to the
prohibition commissioners to prevent
this going into consumption and these
officials are now preparing for snoop-
ing expeditions.
District Commissioner Stone. who
has his headquarters on the fourth
floor OF the Custom House, Baltimore,
has not quite completed his organiza-
ton. but says he will be ready to begin
operations early next week. His field
force is now made up and is awaiting
orders to move 1t is the Commission
er's duty to enforce the law and he is
determined to hunt down every offend
er to bring him to justice.
Meanwhile all the warehouses with
their contents are supposed to remain
untouched, but doubt is entertained OF
the ability of the government to afford
these proper protection. True the
places are locked and guarded day and
night by men paid by authorities. but
has demonstrated that one
man is unable to prevent thefts. The
warehouses near Bayview have been
entered no less than ten different
times and barrels of the liquor taken
away For every gallon stolen the
owner must pay tax Of $40 so the
EObeiHncll iOoCS AiOkhiH5'
II Imposes Hardship
The injustice of this imposition is
undeniable and is practically admitted.
Not permitted Ia. remove his property
and not in position to give 1t protec-
ton without employing small army
at his own expense, the owner is held
responsible for the safety of the prop
erty. AS he is under bond the govern
ment does not stand to lose anything.
AS a matter of fact every time some OF
the liquor is stolen, the Federal au-
thorities profit Being caught Between
two millstones he is obliged To submit
Under the circumstances no one
could blame him If he did some re-
moving himself when no one Is looking
and taking q chance TO re2oip. Others
probably have already made away with
holdings il not in this way. then by alb
ssraeting the ccnteats OF an assign
ment in transit. This would explain
the disappearance of so much Of the
liquor originally withdrawn for ex-
port.
If this Legislature refuses to pass
any concurrent enforcement law, it is
in part due to the confiscatory ruling
of the department Not few of the
members believe the government
should have lived up to its promise to
give the owner; years grace to dis
pense OF their property. So that in ad-
dition to those opposed to prohibition
in principle are those who do not APP
prove of the governments policy and
who will refuse to be party to any
legislation to enforce prohibition. The
Federal authorities will therefore as
sumo the expense and responsibility OF
ferreting out faw-breakers.
-~xxrrnN0n DITCVEC