The New York herald., 1921-09-17
DRY CHIEF SEEKING
CAUSES OF LAXITY
Commissioner Haynes Sends
Out QUESTIONABLE to the
State Directors.
DEMANDS A SHOWDOWN
Increase of Violations Must
Be Explained, He Warns
Local Officials.
DEMANDS A SHOWDOWN
Special Despatch TO THE NEW YORK HERALD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington, ID. c., Sept. ID.


New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c.. Sept. 10.
Prohibition Commissioner Haynes to-
day outlined a new programme to
gauge public sentiment on the liquor
question. He directed state prohibition
directors to find out what Is wrong
with dry law enforcement. He wired
to each a questionnaire that probably.
will reflect what Is at the bottom OF
lax methods In enforcement
Mr.. Haynes's purpose Is to ascertA n
just as accurately s.s he can how IN"
people feel toward prohibition at this
time, the attitude Of juries In dry law
cases. and generally the view OF Ia"
cnforcers as to what needs be done 70
stiffen UP the Government dry ~"
schedule.
Mr.. Haynes. returning from Ohio to-
day after survey OF enforcement IN
the middle West, despatched warning
to directors that there must be an I'M
mediate show down" OF reasons why
LIQUOR law violations are increasing and
why Federal prohibition authorities are
unable to check this particular species
Of law breaking.
The instructions sent to directors con-
templated the most searching inquiry
vet undertaken by prohibition officials
- determine whether lax efforts OF dry
law agents Is responsible for spread
Of lawlessness which Is clearly indi-
Gated by daily reports to Washington or
whether the increasing number of vio-
lstions Of all kinds is merely the result
of a lack Of public support OF the en-
fcrcement act.
Treasury officials said to-day that In
the States and localities where the most
unfavorable records are shown public
sentiment has played a potent part In
discouraging the efforts of enforcement
authorities. This is particularly true.
they said in some OF the States east OF
the Mississippi River. which were for
merly centres for liquor manufacture
The purpose Of Commissioner Haynes
at this time Is to set the stage for
thorough readjustment of enforcement
methods and personnel far more drastic
than he contemplated when he took Of
flee two months ago. 1t probably will
lead to stIll further tightening up In
liquor control, so far as that lies within
the power Of the enforcement authori-
ties.
Commissioner Of Internal Revenue
Blair took steps to liberalize the regu-
lations governing the distribution OF
sacramental wines to religious organiza-
tions He refused 70 sign tentative reg
ulations which would have reduced the
r,aximum allowance Of sacramental
wines and ordered that In new regula-
tions yet to be drafted special rules be
provided to facilitate freer handling OF
sacramental wines for those legally per-
mitted 10 buy and use them.
The tentative proposal which Mr.. Blair
rejected sought to reduce the allowance
of sacramental wine for Jewish families
from ten gallons a year for each family
20 one gallon a year for each member OF
Jewish families. Mr.. Blair directed that
new rules be drafted. but that they be
so framed as to fully safeguard the
rights of religious denominations to pro.
cure sacramentai wines in such quaint.
ties and at such times as are desired.