Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-12-30
DRYEST NEW YEAR
EVE E|NPROH|B|T|ON
HISTORY PLANNED
Forces in Big Cities, Larger
Than Ever Before, to
Curb Celebrations.
ARRESTS THREATENED
RICH AND POOR ALIKE
Places Devoted to Merriment to Be
Watched-Drive Against In
coming Rum Successful.

hibition machine running full speed
ahead, plans are afoot TO make the
coming New Year eve the dryest in
the history of SIX years of the Vol
stead act, if possible.
Director of Prohibition James T..
Jones today predicted the augmented'
forces which are active in the field
this season, larger than ever before.
especially in the larger, centers OF
population. would put a serious crimp
IN attempted alcoholic celebrations
everywhere.
In Washington the full force Of
prohibition agents, under Gerald =.
Murphy, deputy prohibition admins
traitor in charge of the District o.
Columbia, will be on duty.
Plans have been made. il is under.
stood, 10 keep sharp surveillance over
all principal places where the law
may be expected to be violated
Expects Some Arrests.
While Mr.. Murphy has made ar.
rangements to forestau as much vio-
lation of the law as possible. and
drives against sources of incoming
hoilday liquor were said to have been
largely successful, he is still expecting
10 make some arrests on the night
winch. IN olden days. used to be the
most hilarious and widely celebrated
with hquor of the entire year
II necessary IL is understood the
services of a United States commits
sloner may be requested, should the
business" warrant There were in
timations that rich and poor alige.
from public or private places. wher-
ever arrested, stood a good chance of
a ride in the regular police patrol.
nile indications came from other
cities that some hotels had announced
no New Year Celebra tions in the avow.
ed desire TO cooperate more effectively.
with prohibition officials IN observance
of the law, there were indications thar
IN Washington no such curtailment Of
dances, parties and entertainments
had been planned. There was no pub.
lie announcement, however, of wet"
celebrations.
Reservations Already i'm.
A survey of the leading hostelries
and other dining places revealed no
cancellations OF parties, but rather
huge advance reservations for a big
time on New Year eve. Two of the
largest places reported reservations
already over the thousand mark each.
Variety of attitude on the question
of prohibition was discovered. how
ever. in the survey. Some of the more
conservative places, according 10 the
management. have not only warned
their patrons that liquor is not
tolerated in the dining roonl' but
have printed such notices on all menu
cards. Others do not carry such
notices as regular thing. but have
already printed such warnings for the
special New Year eve menu
At one popular resort. however, il
was stated on behalf of the man
agement. a hands off" policy is
maintained in regard to prohibition,
and that if patrons chose to bring
in liquor they did il at their own
risk. No warnings were printed
on the menu cards there. it was said.
Employees Warned.
Universally. however. seemed 10
prevail in the announcements as to
employees of the dining palaces serv-
ing liquor According to every
manager interviewed, the employees
themselves are not supposed to fur
nish any alcoholic drinka bles. At
one place, which has achieved wide
notoriety on account of a recent
liquor case, the banquet mana ger
stated that employees had been espe-
cially ordered not to serve any
liquor.
Detailed plans of the prohibition
agents and of the flying squadron of
Capt. Burlingame were veiled in
secrecy, but there was no secret about
the fact that they expected to be busy
on New Year eve.
The big chief of prohibition. Lincoln
{. Andrews. Assistant Secretary OF the
Treasury, is out of the city on a trin
to Cuba. and it has been intimated I'M
officially he may endeavor to open
negotiations looking toward a treaty
To help keep America dry. 1t is known
that Gen. Andrews has been building
his reorganized prohibition machine
to function not only on week" DAYS
and regular days, but of such nature
as to be able to take care of such
peaks" as New Year eve Gen An
drews is expected to be back in the
Capital next week.
Forces Strengthened.
The field forces of the reorganized
prohibition unit have been strength.
ened by about 4S5 additional men. ac-
cording to Director of Prohibition
Jones, who feels that these additional
forces, placed in larger numbers
most needed, will be effectual in keep
ing New Year eve sober for the Ma
ton. Not only the larger force, but
the benefit of six years experience,
were believed by Mr.. Jones to operate
for a dryer holiday.
Some doubt was expressed in wet
quarters today as to the prospect for
a bone-dry celebration here. as it was
reported considerable liquor had been
brought into Washington, in spite of
the close watch of the Government
men.
In regard to the cancellations by
hotels in other parts of the country
of public dances and celebrations, it
was predicted in some quarters here
that this would do no good. as the
private rooms of the hotels would
probably be fuller than ever of drink
ers DIN account of the lack of public
function at which to celebrate.
81 ZOO. 900 IN RIM SEIZED