The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-01-31
STUBS TO TAFT.
Governor Again Writes President
About Revenue Situation.

Governor Stubs. after few days of
silence in regard to the matter. has
again taken up the prohibition ques-
ton as regards bootleggers and the
failure of the federal officials in this
state to come up to his requirements
of their duty Since his controversy
with Harry J. Bone. district attorney,
last week, the governor does not make
the same specific charges he first made
against Mr.. Bone, but he had addressed
the following communication to the
president dealing with the matter in
general way:
Practically all of the good citizens
Of Kansas commend your recent prom
Use to enforce the internal revenue laws
illicit traffic in intoxicating liquors to-
gether with murder, crime and shame
associated with such traffic.
Commissioner Cabel stated when /
was in Washington that the state does
not enforce its laws, also that juries
will not convict on criminal charges. in
REPUTATION Of this statement 1 will say
that during the past year more than
200 men have been sent to Jail by the
state for selling intoxicating liquors
and men of property or responsibility
or permanent place of business, have
been driven out of the traffic and the
liquor business has been forced into
the hands of bootleggers and outlaws
WIZ AlOL OlAly tlOIdlG lIlc statutes 1Iiil
constitution of Kansas, but they VIC
late with impunity the federal statutes
by selling liquor in many different
places under one stamp. Your federal
officers not only wink at these viola
tons Of federal laws, but assist the
law breakers by issuing stamps to per-
sons without any definite location or
place Of business. contrary to the pro-
visions of the federal statutes.
Commissioner Cabel stated that the
TQV6nna danq rfponnt nnfi6ad he dis
tr1ct attorney of law violations and that
criminal prosecutions were not made
because jurieS would not indiet or con-
Wet. District Attorney Bone hides be-
hind instructions from Washington and
claims that he is doing his duty. In a
public statement, which I enclose by
mail he stated: 1.-THE government is
not looking for a chance to prosecute
people-what the internal revenue de-
partment wants is revenue
Il do not wish to do injustice to any
one, but Mr.. Bones contention that the
federal government has no interest in
the prosecution of criminals and that
its sole purpose is to secure revenue is
so entirely contrary to the views which
you. Mr.. President, expressed to me
when you stated 1t is my duty as pres
ident to assist in every proper way the
state to enforce its laws that do not
believe Mr.. Bone has any conception of
the proper relations, responsibilities, or
obligations of the federal government
to the several states.
kansas is in dead earnest about this
matter. These bootleggers and their
criminal associations are like a run
ming sore in the social life of four or
five of our largest and best counties.
We need the assistance of the federal
government only to the extent of the
rigid enforcement of the internal reve-
nue. laws and punishment by imprison-
ment where the law prescribes such a
penalty.
"Mr. Bone claims he has done his
duty under the instructions from
Washington and it is impossible for me
to place the responsibility between the
district attorney, the collector of in
ficers in Washington, but Mr.. Bones
own statement tells the whole story in
Kansas-the federal government does
not want to prosecute-they want the
revenue under the present federal Of
| ficers.
"Since my return from Washington
! have represented to the people of Kan
| sas that you were friendly to my con-
tention for the enforcement of the in
ternaI revenue laws in this state The
| splendid popular confidence that 1t in
| spired has I fear been nullified by the
statement of District Attorney Bone as
| to his instructions from Washington
| and 1 request that you take some suit
| able action that would convey to our
people a confirmation of the encourag-
| ing statement you made personally TO
| me. The present status of the matter
| since Mr. Bones statement is this, that
the bootleggers and outlaws are en-
couraged while the law loving people
| of the state are disheartened."
! HAAm H N ass ARRR ~ ARARTa