Evening star., 1923-06-27

and arrest Of its captain, is under
stood to have virtually been agreed
upon today ns a result of confer
ences among omcinls here.
Seizure by the United States Of
foreign vessels bringing in liquor in
violation of the Supreme Court de-
cision and Treasury regulations is
understood TO have been considered
in a series of conferences today be-
tween Treasury and prohibition
officials.
Thus far there has been no at
tempt to do more than confiscate the
liquor itself. but some of the officials
who sat in the conferences are under
stood to have urged that more drastic
steps should be adopted il foreign
shipping companies are TO continue
their policy of openly disregarding
the Treasury gOling against bringing
liquor stores into American jurisdic-
ton. No decision was announced
Participating in the conferences
were Acting Secretary Gilbert and
Assistant Secretary Moss of the
Treasury Department representa-
missioner Blair Of the internal rev.
enue bureau. Assistant Prohibition
Commissioner Jones, representing
Commissioner Haynes. and Chief
Counsel Britt of the prohibition unit.
Seriously Considered.
1t was pointed ont that the Volstead
act requires the seizing of ships car
rying liquor Illegally. and the arrest
of their masters. but that the Ameri-
can government had been disposed
to be patient, and content itself so
far with seizing only the contrakand
! iqoor. But in view of the constant
stream Of ships arriving in violation
of the regulations, it was said, a
! sharp change OF policy was under
serious consideration.
The government has been willing
to have the foreign lines file suits
to test their right to bring in liquor
under their governments customs
seals, but. SO far, no steps for such
test have been taken. A problem
threatened. among other things. and
some officials are said to be ready
to apply the full force of the law
to end the situation now prevailing
in New York harbor.
Phrnsing Definite.
In it's provisions for dealing with
ships or other carriers which trans
port liquor illegally the Volstead act
is phrased in very direct language.
1t provides that whenever intoxicat-
ing liquor Illegally transported is
, seized by any officer of the law, he
shall take possession of the vehicle
and train or automobile. boat, air or
water craft, or any other conveyance,
and shall arrest any person in charge
thereof" 1t is stipulated further
that proceedings shall be brought
against the person so arrested. and
that the vehicle or conveyance"
seized shall be released under bond of
double TIE value of the property, but
shall be returned later to the GUS
tody of the government on the day
of trial, and in case of a conviction
shall be sold at public auction and
the proceeds paid into the United
States Treasury.
Confiscation in this manner of the
foreign fleet which has brought liquor
into New York, including as 1t does
in the transatlantic service, would be
in the opinion of some officials here
step frought with many serious
considerations. At the same time,
known to hold that the provisions of
the law are mandatory, and that
nothing but desire to stretch a point
for the sake of international comfy
can afford the offending liners protec-
ton. In support OF that view. it is
pointed out that in many cases this
government has applied the confis-
catory clause drastically to captured
rum runners fling foreign flags.
Immediate Action.
1t was indicated by some officials
today. however that even If 1t were
decided TO seize the liquor-carrying
ships as well AS their stock of in
toxicants the new policy would not
be carried Immediately into effect.
Due notice. it was said, would be
given the foreign shipping lines, SO
that they would know precisely the
risk they were running in continuing
to enter American waters with con-
traband.