Catoctin clarion., 1923-06-14
PROGRESS OF PROHIBITION


PROGRESS OF PROHIBITION
Federal Prohibition Director Ed.
mund Budnitz announces the receipt
of the second anniversary statement
of R. A. Haynes as Federal Prohibi-
ton Commissioner, which sets forth
the progress of prohibition law en-
forcement since his assuming the task
June II, 1921.
Much has been accomplished in the
way of regulation of Withdrawals
use of pollock proceedings, convic-
tions of "higher-ups", cooperation OF
state, county, and municipal officials
with prohibition enforcement agents
wholesale drug violations and heavier
sentences.
When we measure the progress of
prohibition law enforcement from the
starting point, we are amazed at the
comparison of the situation today with
those of pre-prohibition days when it
was common sight to see as many as
so saloons in a few blocks of a busy
city street, and go down that same
street today and find those same build
ings occupied with other business
firms that are benefit to the public
and to the nation. This has divert
ed into the channels Of legitimate
business a vast amount of money,
which cannot have other than a most
wholesome effect upon business con-
ditions in general.
at is an unacceptable fact that any
thing which lifts the standard of liv-
ing on the part of our working class
will of necessity contribute towards
better business conditions, says Com
missioner Haynes. at has increased
the purchasing power Of the working
mans family of necessities and even
luxuries, made a more thrifty work
ing class, and physically better work
ing class. 1t has improved credit,
bills are more promptly paid and OBJ
legations met. Every business man
knows that anything which contrib
utes toward the reestablishment of
credit or that assists in development
of keener moral sense for obligation
is most needed and welcome force
in the business life of our country
No one can read these things and es-
cape the conviction that prohibition is
an economic force lying at the very
heart of Americas survival in the
commercial world.
Much propaganda, which seems to
be nationwide, has been broadcasted
to Greats the impression that enforce
ment is breaking down, when the very
reverse is true. Especially have thoy
played up the great amount of liquor
being smuggled to our shores, that
bootleggers may foist their poisonous
wares upon the public as genuine i'm
ported stuff and for which fabulous
prices are paid. The plants making
counterfeit labels and stamps that
have been seized along the New Jer-
sey and New York coasts bear out this
statement.
"The following figures on export of
distilled spirits from the United King
dom of England, Scotland, Ireland and
Wales, the main source of supply, pre-
cludes the possibility of any appre-
ciable amount of genuine liquor reach
ing our shores.
"The export of distilled spirits from
the United Kingdom to Canada in
1913 reached 1,624,136 proof gallons.
In 1922 the exports fell to 813,l05
proof gallons. The exports to Canada
from the United Kingdom during the
first four months of 1923 were 219,-
528 proof gallons as compared with
279,879 in the first four months of
1922. This is less than al per cent of
the amount imported from the same
source in the pre-prohibition year of
1918.
an the West Indies and the BAHIA
mas, however, we find their imports
from the United Kingdom increased
rom 94,14O proof gallons in 1913 to
l67,686 proof gallons in the first four
months of 1922, which, by working
IN the same average, would amount to
'03,058 proof gallons for the entire
year. (The 1922 figures also include
he exports to British Guiana.) The
exports from the United Kingdom to
he West Indies, Bahamas and British
Guiana for the first four months of
923 were 350,311 proof gallons, which
f maintained at the same rate for the
ntire year, would amount to 1885,
'33 proof gallons. If the entire
mount was smuggled into the United
states, it would equal less than three
ourths of one per cent of the tax
'aid liquor withdrawals for consump-
ion in the United States for the fiscal
ear ending June 80, 1918, which
to 140,289, ,424.S gallons.
'The exports from the United King
ON to Mexico in 1918 were l4,465
.allons, and in 1921 (the latest fig
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