The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-12-14
REPEAL ERA
HINDERED BY
HIGH PRICES
Wet States Strive to Set
New Laws and Gust
BOOtIeggerS.
N. Y. SPEAKS WANE
Hotels in Most Cities Show
Steady Increase in
Business.
BY United Press

One week OF repeal IN the United
States today found wet states still
struggling to smooth out regula-
tons, outlaw the bootlegger and
make legal sale of liquor work TO
the best advantage Of government
revenues and private business.
Only partial success was reported
today in a United Press survey of
conditions in leading wet cities.
The survey showed that liquor
prices continue high. except in san
Francisco, where a price war is in
progress. However, confidence has
been expressed that they will be
reduced within a few months. Phil
adelphia hotel men threaten a boy
colt to force prices down.
Arrests for drunkenness in the
last week were practically the same
as in the last week of prohibition,
except in Los Angeles which report
ed an increase.
Hotel business has profited con-
siderably in most cities, especially
New York, where business was de-
scribed by several hotel officials as
practically doubled in the last week.
In Philadelphia, San Francisco and
Wilmington. Del, however, hotel
men protested against restrictions
which hindered business.
The survey showed that bootleg
gers continued to operate in most
cities, although a sharp reduction
of speakeasies was reported, espe-
cially in New York City.
BIZ United Press
PHILADELPHIA, Dec 14-With
national prohibition repeal one week
old today, Philadelphia hotel men
were planning a one-day boycott
against high prices of liquors and
wines.
People are not generally drinking
in the hotels" one manager told the
United Press. because prices are so
high. We are forced to charge more
than we normally would because dis
tillers are pricing their goods con-
siderably higher than prior to pro-
hibition."
By United Press
KANSAS CITY. Mo. Dec. IA
week after repeal the bootlegging
industry remained in a thriving con-
dition in statutorily dry Missouri. a.
majority of whose citizens hoped for
change.
By UHtcd Press
SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 14.-San
FranciScO'S $50 recognized speak
eaSleS were under fire today a week
after the repeal of the national pro-
hloltion act. The California liquor
control law provides that liquor may
not be served at bars or in glasses.
BIZ UHitcd Press
LOS ANGELES. Dec. 14.-Arrests
involving drunkenness showed Fl
marked increase in the first weelt
following repeal, Los Angeles police
records indicated today.
By United Press
CHICAGO, Dec. 14.-BootIeggers
report the Christmas trade in
struggled liquor booming" as a re-
suit Of the high prices being de-
manded for legal intoxicants. Prices
ranged from ST to So a quart.
The supply of high quality legal
liquor was more than ample to meet
the demand. Retailers reported
their stocks moving slowly because
Of high prices, which ranged from
So to S4.25 quart.
BIZ LHited Press
BRIDGEPORT, Conn, Dec. IA
SpeakeaSies and bootleggers are
doomed under enforcement of the
federal revenue stamps provision.
according to Charles A. Wheeler,
president Of the National Police
Chiefs Association.
The blow struck by federal au-
thorities at those dispensing liquor
without revenue stamps, in the pro
posed enforcement of a fine of 81 c00
or year in Jail. or both. has sound
ed the death-knell for speakeasies"
he declared.