East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1917-04-23
KEATOR EXPLAINS
ENFORCEMENT OF
PROHIBITION LAW
URGES THAT RESIDENTS OF
COUNTY COOPERATE WITH
DISTRICT ATTORNEY.
Landlords Are Urged 10 be Active in
Policing of Their Own Properties
and TO Oversee Holders Of Leases.


(Ry Roscoe /. Keator. District At
torney.)
In view OF the fact that there seems
to be some Misunderstanding in the
minds of some Of the people through
cut Umatilla county as to their d1-
ties, and the duties of the District At
torney in regard to the enforcement
OF the prohibition law. ! wish to take
this means of calling their attention
to certain portions of the law as it now
stands. First is the so-called In
QUESTION law" by which ] may upon
my own subpoena compel the Witness
es to appear before me and testify as
to their knowledge OF liquor viola
tions. II they refuse to testify or to
sign their testimony. / may take them
before the Justice of the Peace or any
other magistrate. who may fine or
jail them for contempt of court, OF
course being under oath any misstate-
nent is perjury punishable BY not less
than two years in the penitentiary.
Now when they realize that other
witnesses are being sweated in the
same way, one at a time. and that
someone is almost certain to come
through with the truth the chances
are ten to one that they VIII all tell
thetruth. such evidence is the best
in the world, as IL Is the unwilling tes-
timony of the mans friends. Juries
might free on the testimony of detec-
tives or stool pigeons" but they can
not fail to convict upon such evidence
Cooperation Is Asked.
II is manifestly impossible for this
office to be personally cognizant OF
the conditions of every corner of the
county Therefore We wish to make
the request that all persons knowing
of violations of the liquor law. or of
persons who know or claim to know
Of such violations, or of suspicious
circumstances apparently pointing to
such violations to write or bring such
information or suspicious to this Of
flee. in order that we may investigate
The public has a double Safeguard
for our actions in that II | do not act
when so informed / become liable to
fine. Imprisonment and removal from
Office. or the governor may appoint
someone to proceed with the cases.
The second section which l wish to
call the attention of the people to in
particular is that Of the abatement OF
nuisance. The person who oper-
stes at or from some fixed place Is
far more dangerous than the peram-
buiating peupatetic itinerant suitcase
operator, and the law provides that
We may procede TO abate as a nuisance
any place where Illicit liquor selling
goes on. or where persons resort for
the purpose of drinking with the
knowledge of the proprietor or agent.
or who upon being notified by an Of
a..n. all
ing or drinking and does not abate
such nuisance or reject the parties,
and the mere presence of liquor. ex-
cept in places legally authorized to
sell it for legitimate purposes as ethyl
alcohol in drug store, or in a private
residence not in any way used in con-
nection with any place of business.
shall be prima facie evidence Of in
tent to use the liquor in violation of
the liquor Law.
I.andIoIdcrs Are Warned.
When these things take place with
the knowledge or consent of the own
cr he is considered party to the nui-
sance. and fines and costs become
lien against the property. If land
lords are wise each will constitute
himself deputy peace officer without
salary. and assign himself the task OF
preventing liquor violations on his
promises. or premises controlled b.
him.
As to booze vending autos a separ-
ate law gives officers the right when
they have reasonable cause to believe
they are transporting liquor unlaw-
fully. TO stop them and search them.
and seize such liquor.
Persons desiring To sell liquor usu-
ally take no chances with the United
States government but pay their
Federal tax. The record OF this is
open to the public and Immediately
point to the offender. The finding of
any considerable quantity of liquor,
together with the possession Of Fed
etal Retail dealers tax receipt would
undoubtedly be sufficient to convict.
on the other hand after we have rea-
sens to- believe that some person is
selling liquor we may report the fact
to the Federal authorities. II they
find he has not paid the dealers tax
they will in all probability land him.
for Uncle sam gets the man who re-
fuses to pay his dues. Therefore the
Illicit liquor seller is between the
devil of local prosecution and the
deep blue sea Of Federal apPrehen-
sion, and i'm Sheriff T, u. Taylor and
o. r oftedal we have capable men
at both ends.
l therefore wish to urge that all in
formation. suspicious circumstances.
names Of persons claiming knowledge
OF violations. or freauenting suspici-
Gus places. be furnished this office.
and to warn all landlords TO be active
in the policing OF their own proper
ties. and To exercise precaution as to
who they lease promises under their
control.
safe Medicine for Children.