New-York tribune., 1921-01-16
j. S. 'Tapering
Off as First t
Dry Year Ends
Commissioners Kramer Re-
ports Increasing Senti-
ment for Prohibition
and Changes for Better
Whisky Permits To Be Cut
Half the Number Issued
in 1920 To Be Granted
in 1921, Says Official

WASHINGTON, Jan. 15.-As the first
..sr of national prohibition ended to-
s,.bt Prohibl lion Commissioner Kra-
war declared the An can people were
-,nidly recovering from their chang
overs." He believes they have begun
n taper off their liquor drinking.
Although liquor. some of it good but
uoch of it bad, still is obtainable in
isrre quantities, the head of the pro-
h;btion enforcement corps believes the
srst wears work has brought large
measure of success. He had expected
i to be hardest both for the law-en-
forcing staff and those who were de-
nriyei of their beverages.
In the future, the Commissioner said.
enforcement of the law should become
increasingly easier, while those who
used to put foot on the brass rail
should gradually become reconciled to
the saloonless era.
an our first year." said Mr.. Kramer,
I'VE have seen the private stocks alb
sorbed like lakes in the desert. We
have, raided and prosecuted. We be-
Iieve we have made life unpleasant for
the bootlegger and other traffickers in
whisky. :. 1t has been a difficult and
sometimes dangerous job, yet those of
US who have been on the job itself can
see changes for the better"
Permits Cut
But there remains much to do. the
Commissioner declared. He told of
whisky rings" and combinations. and
Of how the bureau had gathered evil
dence indicating rebirth of the bust
ness Of bootlegging in some places. On
the other hand, however, Mr.. Kramer
is convinced that there is an increas-
ing sentiment favorable to prohibition
which eventually will compel MANY
bootleggers to give up"
Records of the prohibition bureau
show that fewer dealers are seeking
perm . to engage legitimately in the
bust; 5 of handling liquor next wear.
Mar Of them, Mr.. Kramer said, knew
in a>. 5ance they would be refused be-
ca &c they had taken a chance" with
= law. There were more than 10000
q the permits in existence in the last
ear, but there will be perhaps NOT
more than half as many next year. The
bureau has been busy culling out the
"undeslrables' for several months and
the new list will be held to the strict
est minimum, the Commissioner de-
elared.
During the first ten months of con-
s'tutlonal prohibition 35,569.OO gal
IONS OF distilled spirits were withdrawn
YAK PAID from bonded warehouses. On
TINS basis it was officially estimated
taat Withdrawals for the wear end;no
Ions. N'''o s"a-
such Withdrawals are permitted for
aon.DeVerage purposes, and prohibition
omcials are unable to check directlv on
sne amount which finally is diverted to
beverage use. Mr.. Kramer said. how
ever that large quantities are thus
consumed. and 1T is one of the proh-
transfer ''1 ''is
Interpretation of Law Varies
internal revenue records show that
.er tne hscai year ended June 80. 1919.
me, me last full year before prohibition
WING m,.adrawals q, ais for all purposes aggre-
sased Sl,6o0,0o0 gallons. The records
sso snow that Withdrawals for non
average Ds uses during the months Of
sass year averaged only about one
t toultn OF the amount taken out of
aeu n~ storage Tor drinking purposes.
. une OF the principal problems en-
s9untered in the enforcement work
ss MI. Kramer said, is the variation in
sae points of view of Federal attorneys
aht.; ana courts. 1. has been difficult to %
oO1aln interpretations of the law that
axe ;as;si similar, he continued, while the
nn!ctlon of penalties likewise has
d;s0sas diFlea. United States attorneys have
S,nered amr as to the powers and duties Of
SCENTS, and where there has not been
s;,i majority of citizens favorine nro-
ni,I.1on i,aatl Federal courts have dealt
~, Mr' Kramer believes, however. that
~ t,e sec second year will show improyern emit
fn.s, ~ sa's connection also. He said uni
sorm sor1a plans of court procedure were
,,s.alh rras TO come, and that as result
s'gTsscutlons Tnsns would be better handled
,nsa aniofcement officials have struck q
msE .IsE and continually are confronted
t.s.n.p S,sn problems concerning the manu-
Is'sule II sa and sale of industrial alcohol
for AtS sS. oeen cen source of daily trouble
.a,.i AZ, .ae agents, the Commissioner de-
;alea. ;aa a. Rules and regulations govern
.-s 40 production and handling have