Evening journal., 1920-03-04
PROHIBITION
CLEARS JAILS;
AIDS THRIFT
Continued from First PAGE.


10 3.5 per cent: Federal prohibition on
cials were enioined from interfering
with manufacture Of 30 per cent beer
in Wisconsin by a Milwaukee Federal
Judge Rhode Island asked The United
States Supreme Court 10 declare national
prohibition void as an infringement Of
State sovereignty and New Jersey has
just Joined IN the plea.
New YOrk's assembly voted 90 inves-
tigaie the anll-saloon league.
New York Democrats declared against
prohibition IN their State convention.
Whlskey IS reported 10 be sold OPEN
ly in New York and other large cities.
Speculation continues throughout
the country IN the sale ~ warehouse
certificates for bonded booze"
Referendums have been invoked in
i3 Slalcs 90 dsapprove The action OF
legislatures IN ratlfying the national
prohibition amendment.
Despite these events, 70 Is as yet too
soon TO presume that public sentiment
has crysialized toward prohibition, ac-
cordng TO Commissioner Roper.
But many things are occurring"
said Roper. which may be regarded
as symptoms so TO speak, Of the atti-
tude Of The people The internal rev
enue bureau has received unsolicited
scores Of letters and reports from ind-
viduals indicating that prohibition is
working out satisfactorily In their
communities.
business men IN many localities
say workmen are reporting for work
more promptly and are losing less
time, and that banks sho% a large in
crease in new accounts. This, they
attribute 70 the effect OF prohibition.
II this condition Is general throughout
the country IL should have a tendency
TO increase the sentiment in favor OF
strict prohibition
'Joils are becoming tenantless. In
one Of the large cities Of the country,
for instance, the so-called sun rise
court has been PRACTICAL discontinued
because OF lack OF cases. The COM
missioner Of public cafety In another
large city recently requested a reduc-
tion In the police force because Of the
decreased number of arrests since pro-
hibtiOn became effective.
THESE seem 10 be some OF the eco
nomic and social benefits OF prohibi- !
ti0n so far recorded.
much has been said OF the expense
Of enforcing prohibition. 10 has been
predicted that the cost would be so
enormous as 10 constitute heavy bur- I
den on the taxpayers OF the country. SO
far as the experience OF the internal /
revenue bureau thus far Is concerned
this prediction does not seem justified |
For instance, prohibition enforcement |
In January cost $4,000 In the District, |
including Virginia. North and South !
Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky. the 1
FIRST district from which a detailed re-
port has been received But In the same /
month taxes. fines and penalties i'm |
posed for violation OF the prohibition |
laws In this territory totaled more than |
$4,000. In view OF this IL Is not Inn |
probable that the cost OF the enforce |
ment over the country as whole may
be largely Offset by fines and penalties |
and taxes on contraband liquors"
judicial decisions unfavOrable 10 |
are not alarming nor do |
they show any trend Of public senti- |
ment against prohibition" according 10 |
Wayne B. Wheeler, counsel Of the anti
7tluuu Acdkuts
'When any law Is passed against an
ntrenched evil" Wheeler said, "the
lrst decisions are usually unfavorable
because opponents OF the law choose
heir courts in bringing Injunction and
nandamus suits. The introduction OF
,ills in Congress and in State leglsla-
ures TO provide for beer and wine OF I
'arlous alcoholic content is no indl-
'ation that public sentiment Is re-
'edlng. Congress has not yet passed
uch a bill and we are confident 10 VIII
lot do So The legislatures in Rhode
sland, New Jersey and Wisconsin are
10 wet they would pass any kind OF a
IN that the liquor interests demand
"The wet votes In Massachusetts are
.aslly explained when you realize that
ne people are busy and know that a
ocal option wet vote cannot affect ma
ional prohibition. The temperance /,
olers in these towns, knowing that
ne vote cannot affect the Federal law,
ave not put forth their usual organ
zed activity The VETS, believing that
hesc votes will influence state legis-
atures. Congress and the national con-
entions are conducting aggressive