Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-05-12
100000 Gallons
Bonded Liquor
Withdrawn in 1920

Louisville, KY. May 11.--Withdray.
ais of WHISKY from bonded warehouses
Tor thls year, on the basis Of the la st
'hree or four months. will amount ia
about 100000 gallons, (which is ner.
haps only about one-half million Gal,
IONS IN excess of normal medicinal
requirements r. A. Haynes, federal
prohibition commissioner, told the
Nhurchmen's Federation here today.
Mr.. Haynes compared this figure with
i@o.opo000 gallons Of American made
WHISKY which he said were consumed
IN the United States annually during
the years Immediately preceding pro-
hlDltlon, and with about twelve and 3
haif million gallons Withdrawn from
'ohded warehouses on permits in 1920
ma ABOUT three and half millions In
1921.
1T is significant" Mr.. Haynes con-
tinued that at a time when liquor is
more difficult to obtain than at any
other time in our history; when drunk
chness has decreased to q very appre-
ciable degree: when convictions for the
violation Of law are becoming moh
numerous; that at such times the larg-
est amount OF space Is given in some
or our newspapers to articles most
himsy of facts. which set forth the idea
that prohibition Is a failure am
inclined to believe that this propagan-
ga has its origin in the interest Of
large personal gains on the part OF a
comparative few. who have felt mos,
1orcefully the effects Of the law. As
long as enforcement officers could be
easily bribed; as long as the traffic
went on unimpeded either by taxes.
mes or Jail sentences. as long as only
the small offenders were brought to
justice. there was little cause for the
lnsidious propaganda.
Nothing can affront the American
people more than the statement that
we canrot enforce our laws. In this
statement lies the death warrant of
the republic, for this nation cannot
endure without reverence for law
without the recognized authority of
law. The perpetrators Of this new
treason have overlooked one of the
great essentials OF the American peo.
pie; that law Is but an expression of
the nations will, and the will power OF
America has ever met apparently in
superable difficulties and changed
them into world amazing achieve
ments.
This law was ratified by As states.
the largest number of states that had
ever ratified Constitutional amend.
ment.
THE real Issue that underlies ALI
the contest over prohibition enforce
ment is Americanism in conflict with
old world customs and concepts; It is
democracy against avarice, lawless-
ness and anarchy. It is no mere ex-
preston of pride to say that when
America wills to do that which other
nations have not done. she will not fail
of that achievement.
This is an hour when the burden of
the var rests heavily upon people
through the imposition Of taxes. and
the astute propaganda has pointed to
the fact that prohibition will cost the
government nearly $10.000,000 this
coming year. However. II we were to
collect the fines. penalties and specia,
tax imposed unon violators Of the Jaw
in the first six months OF this admin.
istration. they weuld mere than pay
two and one.half times the estimat.
ed cost Of enforcing the prohibition
law for next year. Those enormous fg-