One minute after midnight tonight America will become an entirely arid desert as far as alcoholics are concerned, any drinkable containing more than half of 1 per cent alcohol being forbidden.
Excessive fines and dungeon-keeps yawn for transgressors of this drastic Federal law. Even persons returning home with small flasks of stimulants in their pockets would be amenable to the law. The provisions of the 18th amendment to the Constitution of the country really became effective at midnight yesterday. But in order that there should be no dispute, the Federal authorities delayed their operation until to-night at midnight, as a result of which the ╥demon rum╙, as it is facetiously termed, held full sway yesterday evening.
Many of the most popular restaurants here and throughout the country last evening ceremoniously ╥waked╙ the demise of alcohol, some giving the diners free portions of whisky, brandy, and wine, but charging goodly proportions over the usual tariffs for food and ╥good service.╙
At other places plenty of clients were willing to pay for the privilege of whetting their thirsts at 20 to 30 dollars for a bottle of champagne, or a dollar to two dollars for a drink of whisky.
At several places coffins were carried throughout the rows of diners to the accompaniment of dirges. At some restaurants the walls and ceilings were hung with crepe. Several famous restaurants had placards bearing the words ╥Exit booze. Doors close on Saturday.╙
