New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-07-12
SHIPPING BOARD IS
LIBERAL IN VIEWS
Regrets Threat Of Having Dry
Agents on Liners

Washington, D. c., July 12.-The
United States Shipping Board is rang
! ing itself on the sides of liberalism
as against efforts of the extreme drys
to force strict application of the Vol
stead act on passengers on American
owned ships on the high seas.
Prohibition Commissioner Haynes
las broadly intimated that if the
Shipping Board will not issue instruc-
tons commanding the captains of YES
sells to prevent private drinking on
board ships, he will seek to have pro-
hibition agents put on government
owned vessels.
So far there is no evidence of an
immediate showdown between Ship
ping Board officials and the prohibi-
ton commissioner, but the indications
are all in one direction--that the board
would view such proposal with the
strongest kind of disapproval.
Chairman Farley reiterated the po-
sition of the board that the exercise
of public powers by the master and
officers of a ship raises very serious
question and one there is no reason
to precipitate at this time.
Notwithstanding rumors of drinking
the Shipping Board will not issue any
new instructions to vessel masters.
The board stands on the order of O.
tober s last so far as American ships
being operated dry are concerned; but
whether the captain or officers have
power to prevent a passenger mixing
drink for himself, as he would in
his home, Is regarded as open to
grave doubt as matter of law.
The point was made that the cap
tain of a merchant vessel is by no
means such a potentate as the cap
tain of a naval vessel who is absolute
master within his domain. Even as
regards the crews of ships the powers
of the merchantman's captain are
limited in various ways.
Commissioner Haynes says the
Shipping Board has the authority to
stop drinking and intimates that if
the board does not exercise this au-
thority he will seek new regulations
from the Treasury. In case the
Treasury finds itself unable to pass on
the matter it is probable that Mr..
partment Of Justice.
Should the controversy reach this
point and the Department rule that
officers of n ship have the authority
to prevent passengers drinking in pri- |
vate on American ships the Shipping
Board would much prefer to delegate
the responsibility to the ships cap
tain rather than TO the agents of Mr. |
Haynes. 1t certainly will fight the |
suggestion that prohibition enforce
ment agents follow the American flag
to the high seas and into foreign
waters
Various government agencies were
,rying to determine whether under the
provisions of the tariff act it will be
necessary to institute criminal pro-
against foreign vessels which
'iolate the prohibition law.
Within the last few days the hand
ing of the ship liquor problem was
from the prohibition de-
'artment to the customs service be-
'ause 1t was thought smuggling of
liquor came under the provisions of
he tariff act According to interpre-
alton placed on this part of the tariff
Lct in some quarters, violators are
ubject to fine or Imprisonment or
10Th.
Recognizing the serious internation-
i complications sure to develop from
UGH a policy, treasury officials say II
viii not be enforced unless a strict
Interpretation of the law compels it.
hey hold to the opinion that the
arif act does not require criminal
roceedings against violators.
The department of justice will bring
orfeiturc proceedings against the
quor already seized. but whether it
ill be necessary to institute criminal
ction has not been decided.
The provision under which the de-
artment of Justice will move reads:
IF any person fraudulently or
knowingly imports or brings into the
nited States or assists in so doing,
ny merchandise contrary to law, or
'ceives, conceals, buys, sells or in any
anner facilitates the transportation,
or sale of such merchan-
se after its importation knowing the
Lme to have been imported or
Fought into the United States con-
airy to the law, such merchandise
L