The Washington times., 1920-01-30
LIQUOR PR0F|TEERS
TO Be PROSECUTED
Roper Puts Private Druggists
In Class OF Law
Breakers.

Pronteering druggists who extort
famine prices for liquor bought Tor
the sick today were put in the class
, OF Iawbreakers by Commissioner
Daniel c. Roper. OF the Internal rev
enue Bureau.
Commissioner Roper was SO deeply
incensed over reports that phsrna-
I cists who have permits to sell liquor
on doctors prescriptions, were buy
ing liquor from wholesale druggists
at 81 a gallon and peddling II out at
a pront OF 500 per cent sno more
! that he took steps TO have such deal
ers prosecuted for profteering.
Mr.. Roper's first step in an attempt
| TO curb the heartless element among
drug vendors was the issuance OF In
structions 10 all prohibition ofncers
TO watch these sales closely TO de-
tect sales at unreasonable prices. and
TO report such instances promptly 10
the bureau for further action,
Instant Procedure.
This action will take the form OF
instant procedure against the offend
| ers for profiteering. Mr.. Roper holds
| that a druggist who, takes advantage
! OF the sick to reap prices 80 mani
/ festly unjust Is by far more deserv-
ing OF punishment than the grocer,
or the clothier who is satisfied mere
ly to collect a 100 OF zoo per cent
profit.
| Attorney General Palmers machin-
| cry will be used in such cases OF
! proiteering that appear 10 be so
fragrant as TO be devoid OF all moral
or legal excuse. Ii was made plain
also that in these cases as they
arise. and many have already been re-
ported for investigation. Offending
druggists may have their licenses re-
voked. The law also imposes severe
penalties In the shape of heavy nnes.
A considerable handicap has been
placed upon patients securing neces-
sary liquors, through unavoidable de-
lays in the printing OF blank forms
TO be filled out for the bureaus per-
mancnt record. Delay in the distribu-
tion of these blanks caused the Bu-
reau today to relax somewhat Its
rigid restrictions, and doctors were
goyen permission to write prescrip-
given permission to write prescrip-
blanks, after they FIRST have secured 4
permit to prescribe.
whiskey Stops "FIu."
Mr.. Roper made this concession to
doctors in order that liquor wherever
1t Is deemed necessary may be used
TO check the epidemic OF influenza in
different parts of the country. Many
doctors. holding that whiskey Is a
SPECIFIC for the "fu." and more effec-
tive as a preventive than any other
remedy. brought pressure for a more
liberal construction of the regula-
tions.
This does not mean that the bu-
reau is letting down the bars per-
manently, for II took pains to an
nounce that all doctors must have
permits to prescribe. duly certified
by the bureau, before they can
authorize the purchase of liquor. UIG
der the new regulations physicians,
as soon as they have secured their
permit, are permitted to purchase
outright six quarts of whiskey which
they may hold in reserve for emer-
Sency uses.
Physicians have told the bureau
| that this ruling will allow them 10
| care for many Of the more acute cases
| they arc now treating, and will be
an aid in checking the spread Of the
/ "fu." Such liquor may be purchased
from stocks which are held under the
orders of the court from seizure made
/ for liquor violations.