El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-01-30

TITASHINGTON. D. C., Jan 30.-It's
w all very well to permit hospitals
TO lay in supply OF alcoholic
liquids with which 10 treat influenza
patients. but how about thousands Of
victims who are confined 10 their
homes and whose physicians have
had and may have difficulty finding
drug stores with stock or such
Inquiry at the legal department Of
the internal revenue office here,
where directions are given for the
national enforcement Of the prohibit
ton law. yielded me some pertinent
Information as 20 the manner in
which the law is being construed, as
wei as the legal methods by which
the wants OF anybody in the United
States suffering from influenza OF
any other ailment for which physl-
clan declares alcohol is necessary as
medicine can be supplied.
Must Make Affidavit.
The process is this. Any physician
who sets forth under oath that he
needs alcohol, whether in the form
or beverage or any thing else. and
makes the proper affidavit before a
United States attorney can get the
LIQUOR. The United States attorney.
OF course. must apply TO the federal
court in his Jurisdiction for the neces-
available supply in the hands of the
collector Of internal revenue. OBJ
tanned through cOnfiscation. the
court may require the collector to
who hold permits for the sale Of al
cOholic medicines
Under the law, the United States
court may authorize the grant Of
liquor free OF charge to any govern
ment agency Thus the army or
navy could get it from any collector
Of internal revenue who happens to
be nearest any army camp or port
Also il is quite probable that the
American Red Cross would be con-
strued 10 be a government agency"
The Red Cross hitherto has not sup
piled medicines to influenza patients.
but has confined itself 70 the distri-
button OF gauZe, masks and nurses
But il would appear TO be possible
for the Red Cross 70 obtain a supply
Of liquor for distribution. though this
point is still under discussion at the
headquarters of the Red Cross, and
no decision has been reached
Held Responsible
Clearly whether agents Of the Red
Cross or physicians obtained liquor
from the federal courts. they would
be legally responsible for any abuse
Of the privilege and subject 20 the
penalties imposed by the court.
Where would the courts find a sup
ply Of liquor for distribution 10
agencies that should have it, There
are thousands Of gallons confiscated
right along by the collectors Of in
ternaI revenue everywheDe. Liquor
sent By express or otherwise under
false pretenses or smuggled in trunks
or suitcases and left by the owners
who fear the consequences Of claim
ing their property passes into the
hands Of the government at the end
OF 60 days
And, II there is an epidemic in Ok
lahoma and the collector Of internal
revenue has no liquor on hand. the
federal court can ask him to obtain
the same from some other internal
revenue district, say New York or
Chicago. where any quantity on hand
may be transferred TO the point
where It is most needed. OF course.
medical opinions differ as TO the
value OF alcohol as a medicine At
the offices OF the United States pub
lie health service. no official opinion
has been rendered and probably viii
not be- It was said, however, that
the principal physicians there did not
consider alcohol necessary IN the
treatment of influenza or pneumonia,
but IL might be useful in handling
patients who had been accustomed 70
the use Of alcohol