The Washington herald., 1922-07-27


for purchase in American cities has increased
during the past few months, We learn from
reliable During the same period two pecu-
liar phenomena have been observed in Washington
and other Eastern cities. Bootleggers have felt the
influence of the old economic law OF supply and
denand and have lowered their quotations on both
srasesale ard retail lots. The popular demand for
corn whisky is less noticeable since still ranker
Ioisons masquerading under reputable labels, have
besome almost drug on the market
I'm other words the activities of revenue agents
within the United States, especially in those dis
tricts adjacent to the District of Columbia, have
become more efficient Distilleries in filthy shacks
located in nearby Virginia and Maryland counties
rapidly are being put of business through more
urnerous and effective raids. 1t is more dif-
fieuIt to make and sell the popular varieties OF
"1noonshine."
At the same time there is increased smuggling.
TRSsfact which would be deduced from the in
crease in forged limitations Of familiar old saloon
drinks, is confirmed by the exchange of notes be-
tween the British and American governments
regarding illegal transportation from the West
! Indies. A hole has been punched through which
liqroT from the colonies gets through the Ameri-
can. Blockade. Much smuggling exists also across
the Canadian border through which channel New
England and parts of New York State enabled
to continue in condition Of drugged ntoxication.
.... This is serious condition the best The
Announcement of the British government that it
will do its best cooperate with the United States
in putting end to the disgrace is one of the most
friendly advances ever have received from for
eign government. This cooperation will not be
easy for Great Britain, but whatever efforts she
makes will show that her heart is in the right place.
OF course, the amount of liquor available in the
United States today is nconsequential compared
with what existed before prohibition. But long
a single violation of the law can be found TO
use as an example there will be folks to maintain
that the law was a mistake and that enforcement
is impossible. Intelligent and resourcefu SNUG
gers have caused dangerous gap and have given
volumes of material to those who would the
miserable old days brought back-the days of hope
less lives. heartrending poverty, enslaved
and homes which Dante might we'll have included
in his account OF inferno.
1t is essential that this smuggling be stopped,
once and forever. The prohibition law is part of
the Constitution OF the United States For the de-
tense OF that Constitution all the resources of the
nation pledged. The United States had re-
sources enough to fight the world war on a scale
incompatible to that which any other war ever
before was conducted. 1t is laughable for anyone
to hold that the United States has not resources
enough to fight band of organized smugglers who
have declared themselves at against the people
OF the United States.
The time has for sane thinking on pro-
hoition The time has come to raise the gossamer
curtain OF jokes invented by wise newspaper para
graphers and vaudeville artists and to look once
more into the chamber of ghasty skeletons with
YPers crawling about among the dry bones and
horned devils with fiery tongues chucklng in the
darkness.
The time has come to deafen our ears to the
merry laughter of weekend parties and to listen
instead homeless of heat
the crack OF the suicides revover-to the great
tragic roar OF the symbolic river of sorrow which
washes eternally past the gates of hell.