The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-02-12

statement By saying that seven reso-
buttons each containing Z proposition
to amend the constitution were intro
duced In the house by seven different
members and referred to the judiciary
committee.
The purpose also, he said, was for
the committee II 1t deemed them mer-
itorious to have them reported back
to the house. Their adoption would
necessitate q two-thirds vote In each
branch Of congress.
After that he explained three
fourths Of the states must concur tn
the action Of congress.
100 Speakeasies In D. c.
Liggett special writer for plain
| Talk" testified there r mot less
than TOO speakeasies running day and
/! night In the District Of Columbia, and
| not less than 1000 bootleggers."
Liggett said he had been assigned
by hts magazine to make q study Of
prohibition conditions throughout the
country and that he had been work
Ing on his assignment for the past
eight months.
Liggett estimated 100000 gallons
fof hard liquor were being consumed
in the District Of Columbia each year,
and that six million gallons was the
minimum amount OF home brew that
Is made annually.
Supported Dry Law
In opening his statement to the
committee, Liggett said he not only
had voted for the dry law but had
supported the dry law at the time OF
its adoption with considerable ex-
pense in his own paper. He said he
felt that state wide p~rohibitary laws
would "~measurably improve" condi-
lions.
However" he added. II believed
then and still believe In local option"
In his work during the last eight
months Liggett said he had studied
the District of Columbia, Boston,
Mass. the state OF Michigan and
particularly Detroit. Kansas. and also
his native state Of Minnesota.
In Minnesota he asserted he had
exceptional opportunity to compare
conditions rs they are now with what
they we're before the enactment of
the dry law. He explained he had
worked In different activities in the
three largest Minnesota cities and
that his work had taken him On trips
through the state at that time.
Knows More Than volstead
with all respect for Mr.. Volstead."
he said, X know conditions in Min
nesota better than he does"
Liggett asserted he held no brief
for the saloon and did not wish its
return.
Liggett said he had the facts to
prove that after ten years Of prohibi-
ton arrests in washington for
drunkenness trebled, and every form
Of law violation had increased In the
national capitol.
Turning to Boston. Liggett said
there were 1000 speakeasies with 49,
600 persons In the booze business In
that city. He said there was corrup-
ton In the police force In the city Of
Boston and among the police officials
Of that city and the state police OF
Massachusetts,. He declared there
had been liquor transactions even in
the office of the commissioner Of pub
lie safety.
Prostitution Rampant
Liggett declared prostitution wa
rampant In Boston and that q white
slave ring existed In Massachusetts,
! Connecticut. Pennsylvania and othe,
eastern states.
Referring to Detroit he said he had
been informed that the narcotic traf.
fic had increased to such proportion
there that q total Of $40 5000 wa,
spent annually. He said there wer,
| 10000 speakeasies In that city.
Arrests for drunkenness in Detroit
he continued. had almsot doubled
| within the last ten years, while crime
was on . great increase.
The witness said that Detroit III
In the grip Of gangsterA racketeers
grating policemen and politicians"