New Britain herald., 1920-06-11
MUST END ILLEGAL
 TRAFFIC IN LIQUOR
Internal Revenue Head Warns
 ViOlatOrS

volstead act has just been issued by w. NJ. Williams. United States com missioner of internal revenue, who
 for some time has been perfecting plans for vigorous enforcement of
 tho federal prohibition law in the event Of tho validity of that law be- ing sustained by the United States supreme court.
 Tho cons,itutionality of both the 18th amendment to the constitution and tho national prohibition act hav- ing been upheld by Mondays deci- sion of that tribunal. Com missioner Williams Is ready to proceed with re- newed vigor with the enforcement of tho law. In a formal statement rel ative to the action of the supreme court and it's bearing on the work of hts bureau. Mir. Williams declared tho immediate effect of the decision will he to give a decided impetus to en- forcemant." G.
 Mir. Williams spoke of the concern of tho internal revenue bureau about heavy withdrawals of liquor from bond
 Tt appears" he said. that there have been somo forged permits. as we'll as illegal use of permits legally granted.''
 He said that he believed the meth- cd of issuing and handling permits. which ia now being perfected and which will be in us- in a few days. will |rcmcdy this situation.''
 The statement issued by commts- siones Williams follows:
 The immediate effect of the de- cision of the supreme court of the United States declaring the 18th amendment to the constitution and the national prohibition act constitu- tionnl will Do to give n decided im- pntus to the enforcement of tho pro hibition laws. ..#
 .It has been truly said that tho successful administration of any law depends upon public sentiment. The American people are a iaw-abiding people. Their sentiment is to demand the observance Of the prohibition law as Of all other laws.
 .Citizena who have heretofore pas sivoiy acquiesced in the prohibition net, pending the decision of tho United States supreme court. may | now pc- depended upon to become ac- tive In cooperating with federal. | state and municipal authorities in It's l enforcement. In communities where | attempts are made to defeat or thwart tho law. public opinion-the opinion | of the law abiding citizens always in |
 
 bringing to swift justice violators of | the law.
 Williams warns of Penalties.
 ''The bureau Is advised that, not withstanding the fact that the na- tional prohibition act has been in ef- i feet sinco January. 1920, there arc ! many persons who are not familiar | with tho doublo taxes and penalties | which the law requires to be imposed | upon violators. The law makes it mandatory upon tho comm issioncr of Il internal revenue to impose certain | double taxes and penalties upon evil dence of illegal manufacture or sale.
 These additional taxes are sep arate and apart from fines which may bo imposed by tho courts, and have no connection with tho prison sem tences which may be given under the law. For instance, a person manu- facturing and selling, in violation of federal and state statutes, 10 gallons Of distilled spirits, might be liable without court proceedings to maxi mum assessment of taxes and pen- alties amounting to ss,124.25.
 s.Tho liability of the 'bootlcEger' CT | operator of n blind tiger for assess ment of taxes upon evidence from any court proceedings. Is also interest," ing. Such persons violating the fcd- eral and state laws would be subject to the following maximum taxes and penalties: $500 under the national prohibition act. s3.0oO under the rev. enue act of 1918. $50 under section 334a, revised statutes. and s2Ss..5 undcr section 3t16, revised statutes. making n total of s5.s03.25.
 'aThe bureau has been mueh con- ccrned about the heavy withdrawal of liquor from bond. It appears that there have been some forged permits. aa well as Illegal use of permits legal ly granted. It iu believed that the method of iBsuing and handling per mits which is now being perfected and will be Tn use within the next few days will remedy that situation.
 -The illegal traffic in liquor must stop"
 Wheeler Tells Rights of Homo Brew. |
 Wayne B. Wheeler. general counsel ct the Antisaloon league of America. in a prepared statement issued at tho | leagues headquarters. commenting on tho Iatert rulings of the department of justice and tho internal revenue bureau as to construction and pro- cedurc under the prohibition code. as- serted that this ruling gets forth | clearly the purpose of the law"
 tsConKreas." Mir. Wheeler declared l between cider and fruit for commercial purposea."