THRIVING BUSINESS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18257, 28 November 1933, Page 9

THRIVING BUSINESS

LIQUOR IN AMERICA VIEWS OF THE PRESIDENT WASHINGTON, Nov. 12. President’s Roosevelt’s marvellous ability to apprehend public opinion and anticipate the effects of Government policy was noticed in his announcement to-day that between now and December 5 a large volume of foreign wines and liquors will bo admitted to the United States to prevent an excess of bootlegging profits. At present there are not sufficient stocks of American “wet” goods, and the President believes that the Government, not the rum runners, should reap xv 1 1 at profits accrue from the sale of liquor. The l’l'esiibml lakes it- for granted that a free si'e of liquor lias already started, ami there will be no interference with it.

What next lie proposes to consider is tlie code to prevent an over production of Californian wines and distilling liquors generally. The output will be held down to the country’s actual requirements. “Here is one case, anyway, where we do not have to plough up crops already growing,” said Mr. Roosevelt. .Liquor-sellers are going ahead with business without waiting for the formal legislative repeal of prohibition on December 5.

Thousands of New York bars and rctaurants have set up competition against the speakeasies, and in New Orleans the old saloons have been reopened and the proprietors have sold wine and beer and whisky just off the boat or bottled in bond. “The law is still there. Shame _on those who disobey it,” said the dwindling force of the prohibition agents, but everywhere, from Maine to California, the story is the same.