Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-06-12
See Satisfactory
Results in Reports
of Dry Directors

dry" America was laid before the
public today by Prohibition head
quarters which gave out a summary
of the annual reports of state prohi-
bltlon directors coincident with an
annual review prepared by Commits
sioner Haynes himself.
frightening up of prohibition en-
forcement work, with increased re-
seult in securing obedience to the
prohibition amendment and the Vol
stead act was reported generally,
and Commissioner Haynes declared
the national situation as a whole
most satisfactory.
Reduced Withdrawals Of spurious
liquors was reported almost uniform
ly. The state directors also, with the
striking exception Of New York, re-
ported increased cooperation by local
officials in enforcement work. There
was a wide disparity in the number
of arrests and convictions, however,
some directors reporting large in
creases while others said increased
law observance had resulted in de-
creases in prosecutions. A large num-
Der of states reported that substan-
tlal percentages of the arrests made
were Of aliens or persons of foreign
nationality.
Detail of the seizure Of thousands
of stills and worms" and large
quantities of mash, moonshining
liquor and beer together with the
closing of many distilleries and for
mer saloons were related by the
state directors. The Tennessee dir
ector declared that 90 per cent of
prohibition violators now were 'il
literate and disreputable persons.
hn In VIC
became so effective mOonshiners
came from a class considered honest
and respectable in every other re-
Spect." The figures on arrests. con-
victions, fines. and seizures given in
the reports were not uniform or COM
plete. however. making it impossible
to strike comparisons among the
states. In many cases the director
only recitcd statistics which had
been published previously.
The report on enforcement condi-
tions in New York. prepared prior to
repeal of the Mullan- Gage state law,
emphasized lack of cooperation from
local officials and slow progress in
prosecution in both federal and state
courts. In 1922 outside of New York
city the number of persons convicted
in state courts was 2,S43 with IT.
more in federal courts. In New York
City criminal courts. prohibition con-
victions decreased from 1923 in 1921
to 937 in 1922, and fines from S95,Sl4
to S70,355.
New York5s repealed enforcement
law. the report said, was enforced by
state troopers, sheriffs and city po-
lice.
The state troopers have not con-
centrated their special effort upon the
enforcement of the state prohlbltloh
act" the report said. The sherlfts
and deputies made arrests upstate
outside of cities in several hundred
cases, but mostly when complaints
had been made as to open. fragrant or
notorious violations. The sheriffs or
dinarily do not consider it their duty
to do any police or sleuthing work in
connection with prohibition cases al
though many sheriffs are personally
and officially strongly in favor of en-
forcement. Nearly 80 per cent. of all
arrests made under the state prohibit
ton act have been made by the police
departments of the cities of the
state"
The New York report added that
while only about 10 per cent. OF per-
sons arrested in New York City for
alleged liquor violations wer held for
grand juries, the percentage upstate
was IS. 1t was said that about half
Of the defendants in prohibition cases
In New York City were aliens.
The report for Massachusetts.
which also has no local enforcement
law said that while there wer eabout
the same number of prohibition
prosecutions during the last three
years, since January 1. last, the num-
Der Increased to marked degree
Convictions also increased and there
was said to be increased cooperation
from local officials.
"The masses of the population are
obeying the law" said the Massachu-
sets report. 1.-The hostility against
the present administration has been re-
duced."
The Connecticut report said that 80
per cent. of prohibition prosecutions
We're against aliens.
There were 206S saloons in exist
ence before prohibition" said the Con-
necticut director, land sos were found
to be in existence after prohibition
Vermof1t's report showed decrease
in prohibition cases. while cases OF in
toxication decreased from 692 in 1921
to 63O in 1922. Firty-fve per cent. OF
Vermont violators were aliens. The
report from Rhode Island said that
omen sale of intoxicants in bar rooms
had been reduced ito very large de-
gree" with seizures generally consist
ing of only a few bottles. Moonshine
nIants also were said to have de-
creased materially in that state and
"a large proportion" of persons arrest
cd were said to be aliens.