New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-25
LAWS NOT ENFORCED.
DIR. Roosevelt Only One Uh6 Made
4ttempt. Sans MCAdOo.

In the course OF an address yesterday afternoon
before the West Side branch Of the Young Mems
Christian Association former Police Commissioner
William McAdoo charged that there had never
been an honest attempt by city state officials 70
enforce the law. followed this up with the
further declaration that the pon-snforceent Of tbs
law a menace % the country. The three
greatest Offices in the United States today" he
said. ARE the President OF the United States the
Governor OF the State OF New York and the Mayor
OF the city OF New York How long 90 you sup
pose that they would fail 20 respond TO any popu-
lar and considerable movement? Not an hour.
The greatest puzzle TO the politician is TO know
What the people are thinking Of There is class
OF men = initiative politicians. They wear their
political hats and b0nnets 10 suit the conditions"
Then he told OF the indifference OF the upper
middle classes in this country 10 the kind Of gov
errannt we have. He said this class was growing
larger more isolated. and was n menace to the
country. lie said they took part in the citizen
ship and that good or bad government looked alike
20 them. They we're more acquainted with the gov
eminent Of London. Paris and Vienna than that OF
New York. He considered these men guilty OF
crime in not taking active part in the govern
ment.
When YOU see a law not enforced. II is safs
to assume continued Mr. McAdoo. that the peo-
PIE do not want IL enforced. There is no greater
danger 10 the government than the non-elf0rce-
nnent OF law. II gives man the privilege 20
sell the favor Of not enforcing tho law II gives
such a man an opportunity OF graft and black
mail and tho failure TO enforce law promotes the
evil system.
Look at the arch-hypoCrisy of the non-euforce-
Ynent of the law. The Sunday and excise laws are
not enforced Every body knows they not
forced. and the majority of this city does not
want them enforced. Take Sunday baseball for
instance \ good citizen viii say in New York
CITY that he would rather the young men
playing baseball in the open air than hanging
around a saloon or Ioefng about street corners.
and that Il would be a good thing 10 repeal such
a law The law is not repealed because the farmer
doesn't want il repealed.
The enforcement Of the Sunday baseball law
no administration could stand. FOR you would vote
II out Take the theatrical performances on Sun
day. They are sacred concerts For all l know
this afternoon my old friend Mrs Warren and
GOT her Off the stage night. and now under
stand she's back again IN another form. Geo
graphically / have lived in the vicinity OF New
York city for forty years, and l never saw an
earnest attempt TO enforce the law. President
Roosevelt made the greatest effort 10 enforce thu
law. and after it they hurried him of 10 Wash
inston to take my job as Assistant Secretary oe
'.>oN about rnonycaddIes. There are moral and
i,taIIsrtuaI rlOlIvcoddleS well physical On
fhe Whole how ever. 1 thiak have very good
when public opinion stronger. We nave seen
reforms and We shall other reforms We have
an honest man for Governor, ana an able man.
president Roosevelt perSOnlneS the conscience
the people. We have great corporations rise
up in their might and cOerce government, ana
even make government until in the providence OF
seeded in getting the corporations down on their
knees and begging for mercy.