The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1921-03-16
BEER AND Wines GIVEN
SAME STATUS As WHISKY
Can be Made and Sold for Me-
dicinaI Purposes; No Limi-
tation on Prescriptions

attorney general, made public, by
the bureau of internal revenue.
The ruling is one of the most i'm
portant since the advent of national
prohibition and 1t makes possible
that all alcoholic liquors can be used
for medicinal or other non-beverage
purposes, and for all to be manufac-
tured and sold for these purposes
subject only to the limitations of the
Volstead act on non-beverage intoxi-
cants.
The opinion was written by for
mer Attorney General Palmer the
day before he retired from Office
and was in reply to a series of ques-
tions from the internal revenue and
prohibition officials bearing on the
construction of half a dozen mooted
questions in the law.
The opinion, one of the most
comprehensive dealing with the
question of prohibition, expressly
states that there must be no limita-
ton on the use of liquors for non
beverages purposes except that pre-
scribed by congress in limiting the
sale of spirituous liquors, to one
pint for ten days. The question of
limitation thus, the opinion said, is
left to the good faith of the physi-
clan.
Limitation Solely Up to Doctor
Subject to this Imitation" the
opinion continued, obviously there
has been committed not to the iudg-
ment of the commissioner of internal |
revenue and the secretary of the |
treasury. but to the professional |
judgment Of the physician, the ques-
tion of the quantity of liquor that
may be used to advantage as a |
medicine in each case.
''As to the question | think the
intention was to leave the physician
unfettered by government control,
but subject to be dealt with crimi-
nally and by revocation of his per-
NIT if he acts in bad faith
The opinion, existence of which
became known Sunday, was signed
by the then Attorney General Pal
mer and was dated March 3.
New Regulations Expected
Commissioner Williams, in max
ing public the opinion, did so with
out comment. saying that he had
not had opportunity to discuss the
subject with Prohibition Commits
sioner Kramer and therefore had
no regulations to carry out
the construction of the law by Mr..
Palmer. He said, however, that the
bureau would give the matter it's
attention and expected to
prepare some regulations at very
early date.
Mr.. Palmer also held that the
government was without authority
or sell within any state
,r locality. l
81 cannot believe" he said, that {
t was the intention that the execu-
i've officers should have authority
o say that one reputable druggist S
n community should have a per- I
nit and another equally reputable '
hould not"
With respect to sales for any non |
beverage purpose, Mr.. Palmer said:
"On the whole | am of the opin- {
on that there is no authority to Q
INIT the number of permits, either
ocally or for the country as a whole c
because the commissioner and Sc !
retary of the treasury may be of
he opinion that large number are a
lot necessary"
May Lift Ban On Withdrawals
Internal revenue officials are con-
idering removal of the ban prohi-
'iting Withdrawals of liquor from
Commissioner Williams
aid. The order was issued last +,
December to permit wholesale liquor +,
lealers to dispose of their stocks on
land and Mr.. Williams said he be-
ieyed that the purpose of the order :
practically had been accomplished.
The decision of revenue and pro-
libition officials not to grant permits
o wholesale dealers hereafter, put
ing an end to their business, will
tand. according to Mr.. Williams, ,
Who added that there was no reason
or a third party to engage in the
of liquor. Tho law pro- ,
-ides that the retail druggist may
purchase direct from the warehouse,
nd on that basis Mr.. Williams be-
ieved the decision of the enforce