The New York herald., 1921-02-10
U.S.M QUANDARY AS
TO LIQUOR ON LINERS
Law Strictly Observed Would
Bar Such Foreign Ships
From Country.
COMPLICATIONS CERTAIN
Orders to Customs Officials De-
layed Pending More Liberal
Construction.
COMPLICATIONS CERTAIN

Special Despatch to THE New YcK HEaALD.
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. c., Feb. Q.
To avoid threatening international
complications. the Treasury Depart
nent will put the most liberal construc-
ton possible on the latest dry law
opinion of the Department of Justice
holding that no foreign vessel could
touch at United States port with any
drinkable liquid abroad that showed
more than one-half of one per cent of
alcohol.
The Customs Division Of the Treas
ury Is in a dilemma 1t put the ques-
tion to the Department of Justice In an
effort to simplify a difficult situation.
But an unequivocal opinion by tho
department has made matters more diff
ficut.
Department Of Justice officials held
that under strict Interpretation of the
opinion and the law ocean liners could
not enter or leave United States ports
with liquors aboard, even though the
bars and wet stock in the stewards
room were under seal.
George w. Ashwortl, Chief of the
Customs Division of the Treasury, said
that under strict Interpretation Of the
opinion Of the Attorney-General ocean
liners could not enter American ports
without undergoing danger Of seizure.
He added. however, that his office
would study the question and frame the
necessary customs regulations on the
subject.
1t will be several days before instruc-
tions are issued to customs men under
the ruling. Meantime ocean liners will
not be molested. but shipments touching
the United States In transit from one
foreign port or country to another will
not be permitted.
1t has been suggested as a compromise
that foreign passenger liners with bars
might be compelled to clean up their
stocks before entering United States
ports and make their return voyages dry.
Such ruling, It was pointed out, would
relieve United States liners eastbound at
@ast from dangerous phase of foreign
competition.
Prohibition enforcement caused an
other row In the House to-day when
Representative Good charged that large
sums we're being wasted In the attempt
TO make the country dry. His state
nents aroused the ire of Representative
volstead (Minn.). author of the proni-
biton enforcement law, who claimed Mr.
Good. who has always voted dry, was
seeking to discredit prohibition. TO
which Mr.. Good replied that "the gentle
ders from his constituents but from the
Washington representative of the Anti
Saloon League
Mr.. Good said prohibition agents have
violated the law by living in a small
town and working in a large city. thus
obtaining per diem expense of SIS. and
that others have been able to obtain
bonus not given to other employees out
side OF Washington.
Here Is a great force" said Mr..
Good, costing $4,000, 900. appropriated
90 enforce specific law. and yet when
they employ these men and send them
out they say to them. We will give you
for your services as agent or inspector
s1.72s a year. but we will place you at
some little town where you will never
live. In order that you may get IS a
day additional compensation
Right at the inception they tell a
man who Is paid to enforce the law
that he can violate the law In order to
get additional funds out Of the Treasury.
But this Is not all that we appropriate
for prohibition. Under the bonus we
care for 2,071 OF these men. $240 a year
each. or S4,900.0 900. In addition to their
regular pay.
I'VE looked into these matters and we
did 1t knowing that our course would
be criticised, that It would draw the fire
from the gentleman from Minnesota, Mr..
Volstead. and others who seem TO get
their directions not from their con-
stituents but from a man In Washing
ton whose desire Is to dictate what the
appropriations of this committee and
Congress shall be. j think we should
go into this question as we go into every
one II they are wasting money In pro-
hibition enforcement We ought to stop
that waste and stop It right here"
you carry s6.000.000 for prohibition
enforcement: Is there any special item
in the bin for the suppression of high
way robbery" asked Representative
JUL (Ill.), amid laughter.
There has been a persistent effort TO
misrepresent In every possible fashion
the enforcement of prohibition" replied
Mr.. volstead- "One or two men near the
homo OF Representative Good have been
found to be located not at the place
where they operate. The Commissioner
OF Internal Revenue says this Is against
the policy OF his department Prohibition
Commissioner Kramer tells that such ac-
ton Ia against the rules
II do not claim the prohibition force
has been perfect II could not be, as II
has been built up In a hurry. With the
amount OF salaries paid prohibition
agents IL may be possible TO have a good
many people among them who are not
strictly honest. That IL true In every
service. and the idea OF trying to break
II down, which seems 10 be the effort I'm
this instance by calling attention 10
thing OF this kind. seems TO be absolutely
rfdiculola"