New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-04-06
Police to Begin
Stanching Flow
OF To-day
Dry Act Effective Here at
8 O'clock This Morning;
Home Brew Made After
April 4 Liable TO Seizure
May Use Force if Needed
Prosecutors Amendment to
Law to Avert Congestion
in Courts Sent to Miller

Poilce enforcement Of prohibition in
New York City under the Mullan-Gage
state dry lay, which was signed bv
Governor Miller on Monday, will begin
this morning at o'clock, when de-
tailed instructions for the guidance OF
precinct officers will be in their hands.
AT meeting held last night in the
Police Commissioners office at Head
quarters, at which Commissioner En-
right, First Deputy Commissioner
Johf. A. Leach and Acting Chief In
spector Thomas Murphy were present,
Commissioner Leach, former magis-
trate, interpreted the law and pre-
pared the code of instructions which
VIII go into geenral force this morning
Mr.. Leach said after the meeting that
he construed the law to mean that any
peace officer could use all the force
at his disposal for making the law
effective, and that enforcement would
apply not only to liquor in transit, but
as we'll to the materials and utensils
Tor manufacture of home brew
1t was held by Mr.. Leach that ma
terals IN possession before April 4,
when the new law became effective,
VIII be immune from seizure, but that
Tor the future all such materials, uten-
slls and ingredients, whether in transit
or offered for sale, will be liable to i'm
mediate contiscation.
With regard to seizures in private
houses, it was said that warrants would
hes necessary for the making of ar
rests in cases where proof of law viola
ton was obtained, but, generally
speaking, the new law was regarded as
absolutely alright and likely to give
the Police Department @ busy period
within the next few days. In general
instructions issued yesterday afternoon
with regard to enforcement, officers
were told how TO proceed under the
new law
The men we're ordered TO regard all
infractions OF the dry law brought TO
tAelr attention in exactly tho same way
as other violations of the criminal
code \ supposed offender is to be ar
raigned before d city magistrate, with
q request that he be held for the grand
jury. Under the new laws most viola
lions are classed as felonies.
If policeman receives information
that liquor is being dispensed Illegally
on any premises he is instructed to
apply to city magistrate for d search
warrant immediately
The uniformed force was asked to
z =
be used for transporting liquor.
Federal Agents Have Right of Way
The policemen were ordered TO pro-
ceed with the prosecution of all liquor
cases except where a Federal prohibi-
ton agent requests that the govern
lnent authorities be allowed 10 take
over the case. They were advised TO
cause all persons representing them
selves as Federal agents to identify
themselVes by the proper credentials.
Mayor Hylan last night sent the fol-
lowing letter to the Police Commits
sioner:
Il wish to call your attention ia the
tact that Governor Miller yesterday
afternoon affixed his signature to the
Dill Which IS now law and which places
an obllgaton upon the police OF this
city to enforce the national prohibi-
ton law
Il would suggest that YOU jssne an
propiate orders to that effect and see
the law"
AT meeting of representatives Of
the district attorneys of the five conn
ties OF greater New York at the GRIM
mai Courts Building yesterday the
ufaft OF their proposed amendment to
one OF the new laws was completed
nor Miller.
The statute, if amended, would pro-
VIDE that violations be tried in the
Court of Special Sessions. AS it stands
hquor cases are to be presented to the
grand jury and tried by jury in the
Court of General Sessions.
Says Governor Favors Change
Jacob H. Banton. Acting District At
torney, who returned from Albany yes
terday, said that Governor Miller ex-
pressed himself as favorable to the
amendment after it had been outlined
Assistant District Attorney Robert
tombstone, who did much of the draft