Evening star., 1922-03-08
Commissioner, Haynes Adds
New Facts in Stars Amaz-
ing Rum Traffic Revelations.
CHIEF SULLIVAN LAUDS
WAR ON BOOTLEGGERs
Mr.. Oyster Favors Specific Law
and Jail Terms for All Such
Violators.

pootlcS WHISKY were lOrclDly Demon
strated today by a statement Of Pro-
hibition Commissioner Haynes, who
told The Star that only per cent of
the liquor analyzed by chemists of
the prohibition forces is found to be
drinkable. The other SO per cent is
poison.
OF course. the poison runs from the
deadly type to that which is only
temporarily injurious. But in the
thousands of gallons of bootleg
whisky seized by prohibition agents
the general average is only per
Cent liquor that may be taken with
out harm.
Haynes Emphnsizes Danger.
The poison contents of bootleg
whisky cannot be too strongly en-
phasized." Mr.. Haynes said today.
continually we find whisky brought
In after raids which would be deadly
If taken in sufficient Quantities"
In Washington. there is a prohibit
ton department storehouse, in which
there are hundreds of gallons of
whisky. bottled as genuine whisky
should be. but which are only bootleg
preparations and which contain wood
quantities of fusel oil.
An interesting anecdote is told by
Commissioner Haynes to illustrate
what the bootleg whisky drinker may
expect.
Never Drinks Own stun.
group of agents raided a still in
mountainous section not far away
from this part Of the country. They
got plenty Of mash and plenty. of al
legged liquor. One Of them, an ex-
pert, on examining the liquor said
to the prisoner:
Great scott, man, do you drink
this stuff?"
The manufacturer was shocked at
the question.
You bet your life I don't" he re-
piled in disgust. This is made to
sell. l wouldn't risk my life with a
drink of it,"
This case. according to prohibition
authorities, IS not exceptional. It is
typical OF the manufacturer Of boot
leg poison.
Poisonous Liquor Kills Five.
In Washington what the officials of
the health department are marveling
at Is the fact that only five died dur
ing the year of 1921 from drinking
poisonous liquor or whisky with a de-
natured alcohol base. Why more
deaths did not occur is- regarded as
miraculous.
A casual survey Of local hospitals
shows that virtually every hospital
in the city has treated large numbers
of alcoholic cases caused by inferior
liquor.
Police Chief Lauds Drive.
Maj. Sullivan, superintendent of po-
lice, today said he was fully in accord
with The Stars campaign against the
sale of poisonous liquor.
mot only am in favor of suppress
ing the sale of poisonous liquor" he told
a Star reporter, ''but in favor of sup
pressing the entire traffic.
II believe in showing the bootlegger
no leniency," he added" He is a menace
to society. always preying upon the
weakness Of the unfortunate, and should
be put out of business. l am in favor of
imposition of the maximum penalty in
all cases of bootlegging.
Inere Will De no let-up IN Ine
crusade against bootleggers," he con-
tinued. 1.-The department is working
steadily every day in the week and
Sunday in an effort to break up the
traffic and eradicate the bootlegger.
Pushing War ON Bootlegger.
"The work is being done consist
emily. There is nothing spectacular
about the raids. but the police are
arresting such persons practically
every day"
Maj. Sullivan favors a chemical
analysis of all liquor purchased from
bootleggers, and in cases where
poisons are found in the liquor, he
stated, he thinks there is ample law
to reach them, suggesting that they
might be prosecuted under the Har-
rison narcotic law.
To show that. the police are not
asleep on the job, Maj. Sullivan pre-
department for the month of Feb
ruary, showing a total of 218 arrests
for alleged violations of the Volstead
law.
!. Seizures during the month included
S3S quarts of whisky, 4 quarts sof gin.
l3 quarts of alcohol, 8 quarts of cider,
947 bottles OF peach extract, 80 gall
Ions of mash, So bottles Of cognac
flavoring, AIS gallons of wine. 1,540
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