Evening star., 1920-01-16
PROHIBITION LAW
|NNAT|0N BECOMES
| EFFECTIVE TONIGHT
Details of Measure and En-
fOrcement-Sketch of
Dry Movement.

At midnight tonight-12:01 O'Clock
last sad rites marking the death of
John Barleycorn will be conducted.
In other words, constitutional pro-
hibition becomes effective at mid
night. From 1901 am. 1.-The manufac-
ture, sale or transportation of intoxi-
eating liquors within, the, importation
thereof into, or the expectation there
of from the United States and all ter
ritory subject to the jurisdiction
thereof for beverage purposes" is pro-
hibited by the eighteenth amendment
States becomes the first nation of the
world to make such provision part of
it's basic law.
Many Jubilees Tonight.
The advent Of national constitu-
tional prohibition is hailed by reform
ers and prohibitionists with keen de-
light. Jubilee ceremonies will be held
tonight throughout the country mark
ing the termination of a hard-fought
battle.
Actually, the advent of constitu-
tional prohibition will make little
difference in the daily life of the peo-
pie of this country. as they have been
living under the nationwide war
time ban on alcoholic drinks since
has case pending in the United States
Supreme Court.
Millions of Gallons Left on Hand.
Millions of gallons of bonded whis-
ky remain in warehouses, with no
chance to be sold at prevailing high
prices. The liquor can be taken out
only for medicinal purposes and for
scientific uses.
During the last two months. many
~ al
deavored to rush the surplus to other
countries. Cuba and the Bahamas
have received most of what was sent
abroad. There were 100000 gall
Ions on hand when war time prohibi-
ton went into effect. The amount
100000 gallons.
How Law VIII Be Enforced.
Enforcement Of constitutional pro-
hibition was lodged by Congress with
the bureau of internal revenue. Com
missioner Roper has established a di-
vision of enforcement, under the di-
rection of John F. Kramer of Mans
field, Ohio.
Approximately $500, 900, 900 in taxes
have been collected annually on al
coholic beverages, which now will
have to be obtained by the govern
ment in some other way.
Still to Be Made for Medicine.
Alcoholic beverages still may be
produced for medicinal and sacra-
mental uses, and alcohol will con-
tinue to be made for scientific and
industrial purposes, but many safe
guards are provided that the law
shall not be violated. The home
manufacture and consumption of nom
Intoxicating cider and fruit juices is
permitted by law. In the manufac-
ture of cereal drinks, commonly re-
ferred to as "near-beer," it was pro-
vided that other names shall be used
than beer. ale or porter.
Distilleries, it is said, are being util-
lied for making denatured alcohol for
fuel. for use in the mechanical arts and
for other legal purposes. Some are
now creameries and cheese factories.
Breweries, in many cases. according
to reports, have been turned into malt
sugar factories. automobile works. meat
packing and cold storage and fruit and
vegetable dehydrating or evaporating
plants. Many employees of distilleries
and breweries thus are retained at their
old places but at new tasks. An army
jobs at soda fountains and are reported
to be ''humanizing' the nut sundae
business.
While it has been announced that the
"drys" are to raise fund of $50, 900
to continue their fight, prohibition lead
used in educating" the public as to
the injurious effects of alcohol
Cider mills and grape juice plants,
have been working overtime
of late in New York state. it was said,
and the price of apples and grapes
has been affected by an increased de-
mand. Fermented sacramental wine for
exclusively religious purposes will be
manufactured and sold as usual, but
with new federal restrictions. Sale of
hard cider and grape juice with kick
in them, of course. are now taboo.
Latest internal revenue statistics
show that the constitutional dry"
puts out of business, or
compeIs a change to other forms Of in
dustry. 236 distilleries. 1892 breweries
and 177,79O saloons and other places
selling intoxicants in the continental
United States.
Sketch of Dry Movement.
Prohibition sentiment. eliminating
in the epoch-making amendment to
the Constitution, has been growing
steadily in this country since 1908.
Agitation for abolition of the prac-
tice of licensing the sale of liquors did
not come until 1847, resulting four
years later in the enactment of pro-
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