DR DORAN TELLS HOW HE KEEPS AMERICA DRY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18939, 9 December 1929, Page 1

DR DORAN TELLS HOW HE KEEPS AMERICA DRY.

PROHIBITION CHIEF’S REPORT IS STORY OF ACHIEVEMENT. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.} (Received December 9, 9.45 a.m.) WASHINGTON, December 7. Dr Doran’s annual report of how he keeps America dry is an interesting record of accomplishment and it also reveals the difficulties which the Prohibition agents of this country face. The Commissioner recognises these difficulties, but contends that as large as is the amount of illicit liquor manufactured, smuggled and consumed, it i* a mere fraction of the total in pre-Pro-hibition days.. He employs an army of 5000, besides Coastguards and Customs officials. Nineteen thousand offenders were sent to gaol for a total of 14,400 years, and 40.000 other convictions were registered, these persons paying fines totalling £3,000,000. The presence of graft is openly acknowledged. There are 200 special agents who keep their eyes open for crooked Enforcement officers, and the latter earned 500 years of gaol and £50,000 in fines. During the year 27,000 illicit distilleries were eliminated, while 230,000 household worms and fermenters were seized and 'destroyed in every part of the country, together with more than 30,000,000 gallons of liquor.