Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-02-08
BYERs TALKS ON CLAW EN-
FoRcEMENT AND GOOD Gov
EMINENT" At oDEoN.
ILLEGAL LIQUOR SALES
ARE WORSE THAN THEFT
Byers Says That Selling Booze to Boys
is Ten Thousand Times Greater
Crime Than steaIins-Has Words Of
Praise for cosson Removal Law
Compliments Short coourse Work.

The address of Attorney General HI.
w. Byers, on Law Enforcement" at
the Odeon Monday night, was dis
tinctively original and therefore re-
freshing. Mr., Byers demonstrated the
fact that great public problem can
be discussed, and forcibly so, without
rant or ridicult abuse, narrowing Incl
dents, or tedious statistics. His talk
was dispassionate but none the less et-
fective. About 200 citizens heard the
address, whereas the opera house ought
to have been packed.
The speaker. was introduced by Sem
ator G. II. Van Law. Mr.. Byers first
paid q tribute to Professor Holden IL.
starting the short course system in
Iowa, for having brought comfort and
encouragement as we'll as profit to the
farmer in his work and home, and other
people as we'll. He said there was too
much OF disposition to borrow trouble
among all classes, and the short course
solves the problem of bringing the
farmer and the business men together
in friendly relations and for mutual
benefit.
Crime Should Starve to Death.
In entering upon the discussion of the
topic announced, Law Enforcement
and Good Government" Mr.. Byers said
it would seem that crime ought to
starve to death in a community like
this. He declared that not all the is
sues together are half so important
as the question of the enforcement OF
law, as it embraces property rights.
moral comfort, the welfare of society,
and protection of our boys and girls.
No Better City Of Size Anywhere.
In spite of all the good things we
have, said Mr.. Byers. we do not have
the things that we are justified in de-
handing. Practices are going on and
being winked at in the cities and towns
that corrupt the youth Of the state,
simply because the-laWs are not en-
forced He complimented Marshall
town by saying there is no better city
anywhere of its Size.
But" he said, the men here are
just like they are everywhere, they are
too busy to pay any attention to the
question of government.
Il used to, think it was none Of my
business what became of my neigh
boris boy said the speaker, but have
changed my mind. 1t is every mans
duty to be concerned about all the
boys of the community in which he
lives. But we are all too busy. We
leave it too much to the women and the
ministers ~
Illegal Liquor Sales Worse Than Theft.
In treating one phase of the laxity of
enforcement ,Mr. Byers said the officials
i =. ~ ,lrl
care of peoples property and ignore
laws that should protect the home.
particularly the boys and girls. Chill
dren are compelled to pass by places
that are openly violating the law on
their way to the schools, where the
observance of law is taught, The
crime of selling liquor to young man
IS years of age is ten thousand times
greater, declared Mr.. Byers, than that
of the man who carries off your prop
erty. He referred particularly to the
fact that men have immunity from
prosecution in the cities and towns
for conducting gambling and baWdy
houses, who are really in collision with
the officials. for a money considera-
ton. He related instances of the diff
ficulty in closing gambling places that
paid $1,000 per month for the privilege
of gambling and paid his respects III
passing to the AIabray gang at Coun-
Gil Bluffs, as one of the greatest buncc
outfits in the world
Praises cosson Removal Law.
'Don't get the notion said Mr.
3yers. that when the unlawful gamb-
ling places, saloons, and bawdy houses
are cleaned out you have nothing else
to do. You can smell corruption ever
when you enter the court house por-
tals We are not looking after oul
neignbors' boys enough. But we ar,
are going to have these things cleaned
up. Even now the saloonkeepers ar
behaving tl1emselves-as well as the.
cam
Mr. Byers declared that no law eve
written on the statute books of thu
state has done as much to correc
abuses as the Cosson removal law, ant
the enforcement of this law and 9th
ers is due to the fact that there is ;
"big stick which somebody can us
| IL recessary.
Too many people do not know VIVA