The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1924-10-21
MILLIONS SPENT TO
ENFORCE PROHIBITION
rvrERNAL REVENUE REPORT
poR THREE YEARS DISCLOS-
rs INTERESTING FACTS.
HAS COST 20 MILLION DOLLARS

Statistics OIlOW GAASS ain
From Federal Courts Melted Treas
nrv Four and Half Millions Each
Wear. 66,e36 Persons Arrested.
Il WASHINGTON, D. CT r e e
wears OF prohibition law enforcement
has cost the government more than
q S2OOOOO00, with an average OF S4,50O,-
0Ol collected in the form of fines and
PENALTIES each year during that period
~, the federal courts. These facts are
shown in a statistical report issued by
the internal revenue bureau. The re-
mort was compiled by the commission
or Of internal revenue and Prohibition
commissioner Roy A. Haynes.
Millions Appropriated.
From 1920 to 1928 inclusive, accord
ing TO this statistical report, the bu-
reau of internal revenue expended $23,-
O4O1923l in administering the national
n prohibition act. The congressional ap-
oropriation for the fiscal year 1924 was
N 100000. Of this amount however,
S5OO00 was for the narcotic DIVISION
Of the bureau.
The report shows that in 1922 the
evnenditure for prohibition enforce
ment was $6,543,99430 while the col
lpctions deposited in the United States
treasury as the result of violations to-
tailed $4,804,27195. This figure m
cludes federal court fines and forfeit
,res civil collections, including
amounts collected as offers in compro-
misses accepted, and taxes on Illicit
manufacture of intoxicating liquor. In
n 1923 the figures were So, 135 ,S42.44 Tor
prosecution, with $5,095, 300.23 collect
ed
Not Paying for Itself
These amounts would indicate that
prohibition, from federal viewpoint
at least, is not paying for itself by
several millions. However, these t1g-
,res do not include fines and forfeit
N ureS paid when prosecutions are con
# Quoted in the state, county or city
courts. 1t is also true that by lar the
greater number of liquor violation cas-
es are brought into the lower courts
hue to the congested condition OF the
Rockets in federal courts.
The report also deals with the do
mestc legal manufacture OF liquors.
During the fiscal year of 1923 IA
625,633 tax gallons was produced; that
is. spirits known to have been distilled
and of which record was kept. Most
Oi this liquor was exported, Canada,
England and Germany being the best
customers. A much smaller amount
was consumed within the United
States under proper permits while a
biz portion was used in the prepare
on OF drugs and chemicals.
And vet. there is an ocean OF 1t lett
More than 100000 tax gallons are
cported to be in industrial and bond
ID warehouses. This liquor, OF course
deposited under government seal
ind a careful check is kept upon 1t to
Sure its safekeeping.
Much Grain Used.
Back in 1919 before prohibition be
tame effective, the government col
ected some $483,00O,000 in tax on dis
filed spirits and fermented liquors.
For the fiscal year of 1923 the tax
collected amounted to $30,358,O05. o5,
tax loss of more than $3.50, 000,0Oo.
Farmers might be interested to
know how much grain was used dur
ng the past fiscal year in the manu-
acture OF spirits. The report shows
FIAT 443,845 bushels of malt, 5,lOo
bushels of rye, 3,l05,963 bushels OF
orn. and an estimated 3S7, 59S bush
Is OF other grains were utilized, TO-
sether with some 148,711,458 gallons
molasses, to produce liquors con-
Inning one-half of one per cent or
pore OF alcohol by volume. 80,
The reports shows that in 1873
here were 900 bonded wineries in the
nted States. SCI of them in Calltor-
ia. Fifty-four bonded store rooms
Re recorded. In 1905, says the report
here were 1,847 breweries IN me
country, most of them running ~
ours each day, six days week.
Thousands Arrested.
There were 66,936 persons arrested
pr liquor law violations. Out OF 49,-
Fl cases taken into federal courts
4O67 convictions were obtained an
entences imposed aggregated ZZ44i
ears and months. During raids II
gents were killed, and IS were inJur-
r.. The total appraised value OF prop
rty seized amounted to $ll,Ao,-
1883, including 1874 boats and launch
and 1917 automobiles, many OF
lem sold at public auction.
During this same period more than
ogOO0O gallons OF wine, cider, mash
pa pomace were seized; 4,085,4ll gal
ms OF malt liquor was seized, as was
le tate Of some 457,365 gallons OF
siIled spirits. Agents also seized
10 conhscated 124,401 illicit ferment-
$ Lol2 still worms, $4,000 stills and
Fly illegal distileries.