The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1923-04-26
Arrests for
Violation of Laws
AUTO FORCE IN OPERATION.

Prohibition Commissioner r. A.
Haynes that occasion for genuine
optimism in the ultimate outcome
Of prohibition enforcement was
1ever better.
The progress 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 gov
ernments write in relieving the
federal authorities, through gov
alnoIs prosecuting attorneys, sher-
ifs, state constabulary and other
local agencies, Of the minor details
Of enforcement, leaving federal
agents free to take care of the lar
ger violations, such as the snug
Cling problem conspiracy cases,
counterfeiting, illegal Withdrawals
and wholesale drug violations, great
surides along enforcement lines are
certain. Furthermore, successful
paddock, proceedings, which are be-
ing more generally instituted in all
sections OF the country, together
with convictions OF higher-ups, are
having a salutory effect and mould
ing public atmosphere in most
helpful fashion.
Speaking of liquor convictions,
21 AGO were secured in Federal
courts alone (not including con-
victions under State codes) during
The past year. Oh these, over 20,-
900 eneered pleas Of guilty while
q verdict of guilty was rendered
in over 1000 cases.
During the same period, nearly
300 breweries were reported tor
violations and over 100 brewery per-
mits were revoked.
Other interesting significant fig
ures are given by Commissioner
Haynes as follows:
During the past year less than
other than alcohol were withdrawn
100000 proof gallons of spirits
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 100000 gallons seized and
NOT DESTROYED. Gallons of malt
liquor seized and destroyed, $780,
174.17 seized and not destroyed, 1885,
703.OS gallons. There were 4,563
automobiles seized, with a total
value Of $1,7O9, 1875. There were
119 boats and launches seized, with
total value of S2,969, ,S66.39. There
were 6O,019 arrests.
There was an increase OF approx
ma tely 100 per cent in the number
OF convictions secured for violations
of the Harrison Narcotic Act as
compared with the previous year
From figures obtained from the
U. S. Census Bureau, the states
which were wet before national pro
hibition showed decline in the
death rate from alcoholism of Sc per
cent from the 1917 figure. The
states which were dry before
national prohibition did not show
this remarkable decline, but when
the figure for the first dry year
in these states is compared with
the last wet years we find SINH
lar startling decrease.
The plan of dividing the country
into eighteen divisional areas, each
having a mobile force has been IN
operation just one year. The reports
show conclusive evidence that the
general agents force is proving a
great success. This plan has the ad-
vantage of allowing the experienced
agents a greater scope of territory
to apply methods in various sec
tions of the country which have
proven effective elsewhere. When
the plan was inaugurated, they had
force of $50 agents. Today it is
almost doubled in efficiency and
productivity.
Last month the force had 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
knowingly wink at the violation of
any statute of the United States.
If there can be any different de-
gree of responsibility among citi-
zens for the observance of the law,
an official should be even more
guilty than th4e of whom society
expects less, for he not only does
an injustice to himself, but sets an
example to those about him, FREE
ultently enlployeeS. which only en-