The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1923-05-04
PROGRESS OF PROHIBITION

| PROGRESS OF PROHIBITION
| Some Facts and Figures for the
/ Knockers
| Federal Prohibition Director Ed
mund Budnitz has been advised by
Federal Prohibition Commissioner
R. A. Haynes that occasion for gem
uine optimism in the ultimate out
come of prohibition was never bet
ter.
The program in the way of the
states assuming their share of the
responsibility under the concurrent
section Of the 18th Amendment is
most gratifying. When state govern
ments write in relieving the federal
authorities, through governors, pros
ecuting attorneys sheriffs, state
contabulary and other local agen-
cies, of the minor details Of enforce
ment, leaving federal agents free to
take care of charger violations,
such assthe smuggling problem, con-
spiracy cases, counterfeiting, illegal
Withdrawals and whole drug viola
tions, great strides along enforce
l.nent lines are certain. Furthermore,
successful paddock proceedings,
which are being more generally in
stituted in all section of the country,
together with convictions Of higher
ups, are having a.salutary effect and
moulding public atmosphere in
most helpful fashion
Speaking of liquor convictions, VII
46O were secured in Federal courts.
alone mot including convictions un-
der State codes) during the past
year. Of these over 10000 entered
pleas Of guilty" while verdict Of
guilty was rendered in over 1000
| cases.
During the same period nearly 800
breweries were reported for viola
tions and over 100 brewery permits
were revoked.
Other interesting significant fig
ures are given by Commissioner
Haynes as follows:
During the past year less than g.
100000 proof gallons of spirits other
than alcohol were withdrawn for
medical use, nearly 100000 proof
gallons, less than the previous year.
During the past year, there were
approximately 100000 gallons of
spirits seized and destroyed, and
nearly 10000 gallons seized and not
destroyed. Gallons of malt liquor
liquor seized and destroyed, $780,
El74.17; seized and not destroyed,
486,7O3.O8 gallons. There were 4563
automobiles seized, with total val
ue of $1,7O9, 1875. There were 119
boats and launches seized, with
total value Of 1885, ,876.3S. There
were 60,019 arrests.
There was an increase Of approx
mately 100 percent in the number of
convictions secured for violations of
the Harrison Narcotic Act as COM
pared with the previous year.
From figures obtained from the
Y. S. Census Bureau, the states
which were wet before national pro-
hlbition showed a decline in the
death rate from alcoholism of Sc
percent from the 1917 figure. The
states which We're dry before nation
al prohibition did not show this re-
markable decline, but when the fig
ure for the first dry year in these
states is compared with the last wet
years we find similar startling de-
crease.
The plan of dividing the country
into eighteen divisional areas, each
having mobile force, has been in
operation just one year. The re-
ports show conclusive evidence that
the general agents force is proving
great success. This plan has the
advantages of allowing the expert
enced agents a greater scope of ter
rltory to apply methods in various
sections of the country which have
proven effective elsewhere. When
the plan was inaugurated, they had
a force of 250 agents. Today it is
almost doubled in efficiency and pro-
ductivity.
Last month the force had a total
of 1923 cases, which was 600 more
than the best previous months.
Convictions of "higher-ups" in re-
cent months clearly demonstrate
that officials and influential citizens
cannot knowingly wink at the viola
ton OF any statute of the United
States. If there can be any differ
ent degree of responsibility among
citizens for the ohSaruarca ~ A.