Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-01-17
NATION. wide DRY BAN NOW ON
U.S., REVENUE SlEUTHS READY
FOR WORK UNDER new REGIME
About 1900 Agents to Spread Out Over Coun-
try to Watch for Violators - Fund of ST.
0O0,O0O Provided for Work Until July =
Bonded Liquor in Warehouses White FL
ephant- Many Thefts from Storage Places
Despite Vigilance of Officers = Watch
Meetings. Friday Night in Larger Cities



Washington. Jan. 16-Nation- wide
prohibition by constitutional amend
ment-the dream for years OF those
opposed 70 the sale OF uquor-be-
came effective tonight al midnight
with the department Of justice and
the bureau Of internal revenue, the
TWO government agencies entrusted
with enforcement of the new basic
law, ready 10 take drastic action
against all vioiators.
The final step in the work OF en-
forcing the new form of prohibition
was taken tonight when Secretary
Glass approved finally the regulations
ID be observed by agents OF the fed
e-aI government.
john Kramer, general prohibition
commissioner. announced that he
practically had completed selection of
ms corps of state commissioners and
local agents and had been notified by
them that they were prepared 10
stl-t tomorrow morning on the task
OF enforcing the amendment as pro-
vldeG IN the VolstRad enforcement
act.
There was little notice taken Nv
government officials Of the end of al.
licensed sale of liquor except at the
treasury department, where much &C
-ivlty was shown al the Offices OF Of
ficIals connected with prohibition en-
furcement. Their task, however. was
confined 10 the linking up OF detailed
plans for aiding local authorities in
bringing out the illegirimate sales
Orhciais said they expected a mutt
phcation of legal and lesser cangies
70 ensue but they were making an
effort I'd avoid as many Of these as
possible
Commissioner Kramer said he mad
a staff Of nearly 1900 men ready to
begin their duties at midnight. About
SOC of these will work under the di-
rection Of the state officers while
the others will serve much as die
internal revenue agents before war
time prohibition went into effect. In
a few states the state directors have
not been named but Mr.. Kramer had
delegated their powers to Internal
revenue officials SO the organization
was regarded as complete Mr.. Kra-
mer's bureau has $1,000. 900 with
which 20 conduct It's work until
July !.
Treasury officials anticipate some
trouble IN handling the distilled liu-
uors IN bonded warehouses II had
been disclosed that. IN several cities.
large quantities Of bottled goods have
disappeared from bonded storage de-
spite the vigilance Of revenue officers
To avert further tnefts, Mr. kramer's
staff has been instructed ID guard
such liquors with extra care.
The regulations under which Mr..
Kramer and his staff viii operate
comprise one of the largest as well
as among the most important docu-
menIs ever issued by the TREASURY
department. Its pages are repiete
with definite methods of application
of the amendment and the Eolstsad
enforcement act, the departments in
terpretation Of all provisions is set
out plainly and no room is considered
left for doubt as to what can and
cannot be done In the future.