The New York herald., 1921-03-11
j. S. DEPARTMENTS
IN DRYLAW TANGLE
President Harding Probably
Will BE Called Upon to Set
Conflict at Rest.
TREASURY is CONFUSED
Rulings of Woman Assistant
of Palmer Cause Clash i'm
Justice Department.
is CONFUSED
Special Despatch to TIE New YORK HERALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. g.. March 10.

Washington. II. u, MhTcH ~.
President Harding probably will be
called upon TO iron out entanglements
and conflicts besetting prohibition en-
forcement in the United States. The
Treasury Department and the Depart
ment OF Justice are clearly at odds
through the activity Of the Demo-
cratic Administration and Democratic
holdovers.
The latest flare up, the opinion by
Attorney General Palmer saying ply
sicians may prescribe beer OF any
liquor for patients and that the pro-
hibition Office cannot limit them, has
brought a crisis that makes necessary
general review and coordination of
the work.
Two branches of the Treasury are
at sea over two opinions on enforce
ment from the Department Of Justice.
Both opinions were prepared by An
nette Abbott Adams, Assistant Attorney
General The first held that no ship
could toucn al a United States port
with any liquor on board, whether IL
was III transit or otherwise. The Brit
its effect upon passenger liners flying
foreign flags. and the matter was
taken up by the State Department.
The Treasury could not carry out the
opinion without international compli-
cations. A review was requested.
The latest opinion. that affecting beer
and prescriptions. has stood the entire
prohibition unit on end. Prohibition
Commissioner Kramer declares Il win
wreck the progress so far made in en-
forcement.
To straighten matters. Secretary Mel
lon OF the Treasury is expected 10 re-
quest the President 10 direct general
review and Interpretation OF the law by
the new Attorney General
IL was stated at the White House to-
day that the matter had not been for-
mally brought TO the attention Of Presi-
dent Harding When 1t IT, Il Is likely
that conflict between agencies win be
Enlightened out.
Under the Nolstead act both the De-
partment OF Justice and the Treasury
are charged with the detection or viola
tions. The Justice Department IS
charged with prosecutions. The Coast
Guard does enforcement work against
smuggers on the sea and the customs
service OF the Urea gury sainat smueglers
al ports and along the land borders,
Commissioner Kramer declared he be-
lIeved the Palmer opinion would make
much more difficult the enforcement OF
the volstead law lie especially took
exception to the view that physicians
might prescribe beer 70 their patients
In quantities they might sec NJ.
There are" he said, "a total OF 4Sb
breweries in the country making beer
containing less than oae-haN OF per
cent. alcohol ff they arc 20 be allowed
to manufacture beer with per cent.
alcohol in my opinion the number ot
physicians IN the country viii have 70
be increased because q tho demands
by patients
Dr. wilbur =. Crafts superintendent
or the international Reform Bureau the
hero OF the blue law talk appealed 70
Attorney-Geaeral Daugherty % overrule
the Palmer decision. Hc made the pro-
,es, In q long letter. 10 which he de-
clared the medical profession did not
consider beer as a medicine. lie signed
himself. Yours for better world"