New-York tribune., 1921-08-13
Cabinet Seeks
Saner Rulings
lnDry Program
Enforcement System Called
A surd and Members
Ask What Becomes of
Valuable Liquor Seized
Beer Bill Arouses Ire
Action Points to Liberal
Attitude Toward Raising
of Ban on Beer and Wine

r'oW ne lTtobne' 8 " dShtr1ton Bureau
WASHINGTON, Aug. IL. - Prohi-
bltion enforcement throughout the
country, which was characterized by
several Cabinet members as absurd :"
occupied considerable portion of the
session of the Presidents Cabinet to-
day The confiscation of liquors which
are not intended for American con-
sumption, yet which, under the law,
must be confiscated, was taken up with
the object of working out a saner
and more sensible enforcement pro
gram. Indications are that the Admin
istration intends to adopt liberal
attitude toward the Eighteenth Amend
ment. The reaction against prohibition
reflected to-day in the comments of
various Cabinet members gives color
to the belief that the movement to lift
the ban on light wines and beer is
gaming support.
1t was pointed out that quantities
OF liquor shipped in bond across the
country under the law must be seized
if the nature of the shipment is de-
tected, even though the liquor is not
intended for American consumption
Inquiries as to the status of liquor on
foreign ships entering American har-
bors and to what becomes of the mil
lions of dollars worth of liquor seized
by prohibition enforcement officials
were made by Cabinet members.
Huge Sums in Rentals
The Attorney General said that it
was costing the United States huge
sums in rental for warehouses in New
York City utilized for the storage of
seized liquor supplies. 1t was sug-
gested that the government, through
its chemists, devise plan whereby the
alcohol itself might be extracted from
such liquor and be utilized in other
ways. 1t is probable that legislation
Strengthening out veXatious problems
and abuses in connection with liquor
enforcement will be worked out, though
not until the several cases pending in
court eeking injunctions are adjudi-
Gated.
1t was expressed during the meeting
that a resentment exists in official as
we'll as lay quarters at the length to
which the drys have sought to go in
the Willis-Camp pbell amendment to the
enforcement act This measure will
prevent physicians from prescribing
beer. When the Senate added the
Stanley amendment it indicated that
Legislators were at last becoming tired
of the tactics of the dry forces The
Stanley amendment. in short, affirm
the Fourth Amendment to the Const:-
tuition, which guarantees "the right Of
the people to be secure in their per
sons, houses, papers and effects" The
fact that the Senate found it necessary
to reaffirm this specific constitutional
guaranty is interpreted as a rebuke IN
enforcement officers who have violate d
one section of the Constitution to en-
force another.
Prohibition Costs Billion
During the discussion reference was
made to the testimony given by Pro
lessor Edwin R. A. Seligman. of Co.
lumbla University. recently before the
Senate Finance Committee. He said
that had we not adopted prohibition
we should be getting in taxes at least
sl,o0O,OOo,OO0 we are not getting now
Professor Seligman, it was pointed out
dld not advocate repeal of prohibition
but an Interpretation of the law which
would permit the sale and heavy taxa
ton Of beer and light wines.
1t is estimated that n tax of S. a
barrel on 2.75 per cent beer alone
would produce upwards Of $500. 900 OOC
annually. In addition, it is felt that
the reinstatement of low alcohol
content malt beverage would do more
to wipe out the Illicit liquor traffic
than the expenditure of huge sums TO,
enforcement. All these facts and 8
great many in addition were cogitatec
upon by the Cabinet bers in con.
nection with consideration of the pro.
hibition question