ILLICIT LIQUOR.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17984, 1 April 1930, Page 8

ILLICIT LIQUOR.

IN UNITED STATES. EXPLOITATION BY AUTHORITIES. EXPENDITURE ON GRAFT. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel.—Copyright. NEW YORK, March 30. The New York World publishes the results of a poll taken among owners of “ speakeasies ” (establishments where illicit liquor is sold). This shows them to be overwhelmingly in favour of modification or repeal of the prohibition law. The principal reason offered is the problem of expenditure on graft. The owners of the premises in question complain of exploitation by the authorities and extortion by the police and Federal agents. Among the hazards of the trade are the possibility of official raids, the fear of hold-ups by gunmen who know their victims will not complain to the police, increased rentals, non-paying customers, such as policemen, the social stigma placed upon the owner of a “speakeasy” and his family and the loss of high-class patronage owing to home delivery of liquor. The opinion of practically all who were questioned seemed lo be expressed by one man who said he favoured the repeal of the law. His last payment to the police would take him two months to make up.