PROHIBITION’S COST

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16242, 17 January 1927, Page 5

PROHIBITION’S COST

HEAVY BILL IN USA. EIGHTH TEAK ENTERED (Bloc. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.; (Received Jan. 17, 11 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Jan. IC. Prohibition enters its eighth year to-day. The Wets and Drvs agree that it has cost more in money, prison sentences and lives than the enforcement of any other Federal legislation.

Fifty-one prohibition agents have been slain during the period and it is estimated that over 250 violators have been killed, although accurate figures concerning the latter are unavailable. Sixteen thousand Jive hundred and five persons have been gaoled, the. number increasing each year, until 4884 wore convicted in 1926.

Tho seven years’ fines and penalties collected totalled 33,229,098 dollars, while 62,681,000 dollars have been expended on enforcement. The additional cost for 1927 is estimated at 11.993.000 dollars.

CABLE CUT BY RUM-RUNNERS

AMERICAN FIRM LOSES £20,000

NEW YORK, Dec. 4.

.The trans-Pacific cable connecting San Francisco and Honolulu was cut by a ' rum-running schooner. The Cable company concerned, the Commercial Pacific Cable Co., of New York, have been involved in a loss of more than £20,000.

It is stated that, the cable was cut 25 miles from San Francisco, in 300 fathoms, and was put out of action for some days.

The eablo ship Restorer was sent to the scene of the break to make the necessary repair. She found the rumrunner anchored close to the spot. The rum-runner, however, make off as soon as she realised that the Restorer was a cable ship. It was found that the cable had been cut in two with an axe, and it. is presumed that it fouled the rumrunner’s anchor, and was cut by the crew to avoid wasting time in disentangling it. A complaint has been made to the American Government.