The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1920-01-21
PROHIBITION CLOSES
NATIONS SALOONS
Dry Era Began Last Friday
Night
FEDERAL OFFICERS
READY TO ACT

Fifteen Hundred Prohibition OFFICERS
Began Daty when Ban Went Into
Aiect. Dream OF Prohbitionists for
Years is Mt Last Rea',kcl.
Washington, Jan. 16-Nationwidc
prohibition by constitutional amend
ment--the dream for years OF those op-
posed to the sale OF liqupr--bccame
cHcct've tonight at midnight with the
department Of Justice and the bureau
OF internal revenue, the two govern
mcnt agencies entrusted with enforce
ment OF the new basic law, ready to
take action against ali violators.
rho final stcD IN the work of en-
forcing the new form Of prohibition
was taken tonignt when Secretary
Glass approved finally the regulations
to he observed by agents Of the fed
crai government.
j.. Frank Kramer, general prohibi-
1lon commissioner, announced that he
mad practically completed selection OF
MS corps of state commissioners and
local agents, and had been notified by
lhem that they were perparcd to start
tomorrow morning on tho task Of en-
forcing the amendment
There was little notice taken by gov
crHntont officials OF the end of 81! Il
ceased sales of liquor except at the
treasury department where much ac-
tivity was shown at the offices of OIL
Gals connected with prohibition en-
fomement. Their task, however. was
confined TO the linking Of detailed
plans for aiding local authorities in
driving out tho illegitimatc dealer in
lntoxicants. Oillcials said they expect
eed n multiplicity Of legal and lesser
tanglos to cnsuc but they were making
an effort to avoid as many Of these as
IS possible.
commissioner Kramer said he had a
staff or nearly 800 men ready TO be-
gin their duties at midnight About 800
OF these will work under the direction
OF The state prohibition enforcement
officers while the othefs will serve
before wartime prohibition went into
chect. Mr. Kramer's bureau has ST.
100000 with which to conduct it's work
until July |.
Treasury officials anticipate some
trouble in handling the distilled
linuurS in bonded warehouses. IT has
been disclosed that in several cities,
largo quantities Of bottled goods have
dIHappard from bonded storage de-
spite the vigilance of revenue officers.
TO avert further thefts, Mr.. Kramer's
stan has been instructed to guard such
liquors with extra care.
Ncw York, Jan. l6--Demon rum
was declared an outlaw in New York
1T midnight tonight and the declara-
lion was received in two widely diff
fercnt modes by New Workers. While
many thousands gathered in the
churches OF the metropolis to greet
with prayer and praise the official
passing Of the demon, many more
InouSAluS chpTeSScQ tnClr leCllnBS IN
q desperate attempt to consume as
much of the forbidden liquor as their
systems and pockctbooks would per-
NIT.
The scenes OF revclry in the white
light district surpassed. by common
consent, anything previously known
In the city. In every case, restaurant
and hotel in the brilliantly lighted
heart of Manhattan "mourners"
gathered for the wake" in q spirit
of hiiarity that suggested christcn-
ing Instead Of funeral
AS tho i,otir Of midnight approached
numerous funeral professions were
formed and tho various collins were
carried from place to place on the
shoulders OF such mourncrs whose
grief had moi iiicaDactataa them from
acting as pall-bearers.
n No attempt was made TO interfere
Win the wake by the official prohi-
bition enforcers.
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