The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-01-16
Dry Statutes Anniversary
Finds Congress Working
on Enforcement.
NO OBSERVANCE SLATED
CheCkup of Record Shows
ESQ Lives Lost and
Millions Spent.
BY THOMAS L. STOKES
United Press Stan Correspondent

WASHINGTON. Jan. 16.-Nation-
81 prohibition, called by President
Hoover a noble experiment" cele-
brated its tenth anniversary today.
with congress beginning work upon
an elaborate program designed 90
take it further from the experiment
tai stage. No special observance was
scheduled here.
That it still is in the experimental
stage Is demonstrated by the legis-
lative program submitted to i'm
prove enforcement after ten years
program comprehensive and
sweeping. The recommendations
were submitted because of a previous
controversy, started by drys, over
the effectiveness of enforcement.
Ten years ago today there were
many hang in every part
of the country from farewell cele-
brations incident to the new dry
era. Even staunch prohibitionists
admit today there still is plenty of
liquor available.
Each Side Positive
In congress and out, vets insist
the law never will be enforced. In
congress and out, dryS insist it can
be enforced. Dry organization
leaders say the ten-year test has
come up to their most optimistic
expectations.
Today, it is at least certain, the
country is face to face with its
greatest drive to get this law en-
forced.
No one can foreSee what the
ultimate solution of the experiment
will be, but the congress which now
is considering a program for better
enforcement is preponderantly dry,
In fact the dryeSt of any since the
law went on the books. Modifl-
cation any time soon seems out Of
the question, if ever.
Four Presidents
President Harding said prohibi-
ton would be a political issue for
thirty years Four Presidents have
had to cope with the problem in ten
years beginning with President Will
son, who vetoed the Volstead act,
but was overridden by congress.
National prohibition administra-
tors have been few, but their lot
has been troublesome one. Roy A.
Haynes of the Harding administra-
ton was succeeded by Brigadier-
General Lincoln G. Andrews in the
Coolidge administration.
The latter who took charge In
1925, with Haynes still sharing
authority until May. 1927. gave up
The job a few months later. after
ne had light teer as solution be-
fore a special senate committee.
Responsibility now is divided be-
tween Prohibition Commissioner
James M. Doran, who entered the
government service twenty-three
years ago as a chemist, and Seymour
p Lowman, assistant secretary of
the treasury. They will be shorn of
responsibility if congress transfers
enforcement to the justice depart
nent as asked by President Hoover.
GOSkS taxpayers
Federal prohibition enforcement
has cost the taxpayer grand total
of 1854, 475, 1884 for the ten years, &C
cording to treasury estimates.
Incident to its enforcement, $50
persons have been killed. according
to treasury figures, of which l82
were citizens and 63 government
agents.
The prohibition bureau has dou-
bled its forces in ten years. 1t
started with about 1000 clerks and
agents. Now there are 1864 en-
plcyes of all classes. If administra-
ton recommendations are carried
out, this number will be increased
and the cost be larger, proportion
Rtely.