SECRET DRINKING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 886, 1 February 1930, Page 11

SECRET DRINKING

CHARGES AGAINST BIG AMERICAN CLUBS SENATE ASKED TO INQUIRE United P . .I. —-By Telegraph—Copyright WASHINGTON. Thursday. A sensation was caused in the Senate today when, during a recrudescence of the dispute on Prohibition, Mr. S. W. Brookllart, Republican member for lowa, read a letter asking for an investigation into the alleged drinking ot gin cocktails iu tlio Century Club. New York. As the club name includes iu its membership most of America's leading citizens, and as a former United States Attorney-General, Mr. G. W. Wickersham, now head of the President’s Law Enforcement Commission, is a vicepresident of the institution, there was an immediate “flare-up.” Mr. Brookhart expressed the hope that Mr. Wickersliam would be able to advise how such violations of the law in the club could be stopped. Mr. M. E. Tydings, Democrat member for Maryland said scenes such as were alleged in the letter could be seen in other clubs in other cities. Mr. R. S. Copeland, Democrat, member for New York, speaking for his own State, declared that there was more drinking than ever before. Mr. Tydings continuing, said that Sl3 persons had died from alcoholism in the United States in 1929. The Government bad seized 250,000 illicit stills and 27.000,000 gallons of fermented “mash.” Outside people apparently did not drink; inside, they had all they wanted.