U.S. DRY LAWS

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIV, 31 December 1926, Page 6

U.S. DRY LAWS

ENFORCEMENT OF PROHIBITION (Per Press Association —Copyright. NEW YttRK, December 29. The deaths from poison from liquor during the Christmastide are expected to lie considerably’ augmented. It is estimated .that, over 100 are already dead throughout the States, and there are several hundred in hospitals; 'The figures for 1926 already show that in Manhattan alone there are 486 dead and 808 in New York State.

Meantime the newspapers feature protests by the medical authorities against the Government’s policy of using poisonous denaturants. Dr Robert Woodburn, superintendent of the Middleton Insane Hospital, declared that there were 1002 alcoholic admissions already for 1926. compared with 980 for the whole of 1925.

Dr Gettler, City toxologist, stated that the Government denaturants, besides killing, are also reaping a large harvest of insane ' or organically crippled victims. Medical Examiner Norris attacked the Government, holding it morally responsible for deaths. Dr Gottler Snid: “My whole point in b'aming the Government lies in the fact that alcohol has become a public menace to life and health. As medical examiner, it is my duty to call attention to this menace, and place responsibility where it belongs. It is all very well to say that persons do not drink liquor, but they do drink it. and the Government knows thev drink it. Consequently poisoned alcohol is an alarming menace.” Both Dr Gettler and Dr Norri s emphasised that the number of deaths reported was on'y a fraction of the toll. T]he Department has not changed its stand, and despite - protests plans to use a deadlier denaturant after January 1.

Mr Mayne Wheeler, of the AntiBoloon League, stated that the proper verdict in the case of liquor deaths should be deliberate suicide.