Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1923-04-28
PROHIBITION ENFORCEMENT

y
Donnelly has been advised by Feder
al Prohibition Commissioner K. A
Haynes that occasion for genuine op
tirnism in the ultimate outcome O
prohibition enforcement was never
better
Thet progress in the way of the
states assuming their share of the
section of the 18th amendment is
most gratifying. When state gov.
ernments write in relieving the feder-
al authorities, through governors
prosecuting attorneys, sheriffs state
constabulary and other local agen-
cies, of the minor details of enforce
ment, leaving federal agents free tc
take care of the larger violations, such
as the smuggling problem, conspir
acy cases, counterfitting, illegal with
drawals and wholesale drug viola
tions, great strides along enforcement
lines are certain. Furthermore, sue
cessful paddock proceeding, which arc
being more generally instituted in al
sections of the country, together with
convictions of higher ups, are having
a Statutory effect and moulding pub
lie atmosphere in a most helpful ia
shion.
Speaking of liquor convictions, 21,
400 were secured in federal courts
alone (not including convictions un
der State codes) during the past year
OF these over twenty thousand enter
ed pleas of guilty while a verdici
of guilty" was rendered to over 2.
600 cases.
During the same period nearly 30i
breweries were reported for viola
tions and over 100 brewery permits
were revoked.
During the past year less than 3,
C00,000 proof gallons of spirits othel
than alcohol we're withdrawn for med
ical use, nearly 100000 proof gallons
less than the previous year.
During the past year, there w'er'
approximately 100000 gallons of spir-
its seized and destroyed and nearly
100000 gallons seized and not de
troyed. Gallons of malt liquor
seized and destroyed $3,3o2,174.1,I
seized and not destroyed $486,7C308
There were 4553 automobiles seized
were llo boats and launches seized
with a total value of 5000 ,866.38
There were 60,0l9 arrests.
There was an increase of approxi
mately 100 per cent in the nunbe'
of convictions secured for violation.
of the Harrison Narcotic Act as com
pared with the previous year.
From figures obtained from the I
S. Census Bureau, the states whicl
were wet before National prohibition
showd decline in the death rate from
alcoholism of Sc per cent from tn
1917 figure. The states which wer
dry before national prohibition die
not show this remarkable decline, ,bu
when the figures for the first dry yeal
in these states is compared with tn
last wet years we find similar start.
ling decrease.
The plan of dividing the countr!
into eighteen divisional areas, eacl
having mobile force has been ii
operation just one year The report
general agents force is proving :
great success. This plan has tn
advantage of allowing the experienced
agents a greater scope of territory tc
apply methods in various sections o.
the country which have proven ef
fective elsewhere When the plar
was inaugurated, they had force OF
$50 agents. Today it is almost dou-
bled in efficiency and productivity
Last month the force had a total
of 1923 cases, which was 60C more
the best previous months.
Convictions of "higher-ups i'll re-
cent months clearly demonstrate that
officials and influential citizens can
not knowingly wink at the violation OF
an statute of the United States. II
there can be any different degree Of
responsibility among citizens OF the
observance Of the law, an official
should be even more guilty than
those of whom society expects less,
for he not only does an injustice to
himself, but sets an example to those
which only encourages further viola
tions, and sets in motion harmful in
fluences which go on and OH. When
men of standing and influence do
those things which they know to- be in
defiance of the law and Constitution.
there is reason for grave concern.
Admittedly, such practices make the
work more difficult and bring an
odium upon officials rather than upon