New-York tribune., 1919-10-29
Public Called to
Help Enforce
Prohibition Act
Revenue Bureau Appeals to
Citizens, Churches and
Civic Organization for
Aid in Making Nation Dry

WASHINGTON, Oct. 28.-Law-abid-
ing citizens, churches, civic organiza-
tions and welfare societies were sum-
moned tonight by Daniel c. Roper,
Commissioner of Internal Revenue. to
aid the Internal Revenue Bureau in
enforcing the prohibition enforcement
law. Any fouting Of the law, Mr..
Roper declared. would bring into dis
repute the American form OF govern
vent
While the bureau is made the agency
directing the enforcement of the meas
ure, with the Department of Justice
conducting prosecutions on evidence
obtained by the bureaus agents, re-
sponsibility is not confined to Federal
officers, the Commissioner said. State.
county and municipal officials are ex-
pected to do full share in stopping
and Furnishing violationa. and the sue
cessful administration of the law, MIR.
Roper said, will be measured largely
by the manner in which these officials
meet their requirements.
Citizens Expected to Aid
Local officers being expected to take
the initiative in enforcing the law in
their territory, any failure or derelic-
tion to assume their full responsibility
will be brought to the attention of the
law abiding citizens of the community
by officials of the bureau.
Mr.. Roper's program contemplates
the organization of prohibition en-
forcement stiff which will be devoted
dissociated from the tax collection
activities Of the bureau. There will
be deputy commissioner in Washing
ton in charge Of the prohibition sec
tion, and deputy collectors in each dis
trict with an efficient force of men~un-
der them Pending the organization of
this force, employees qualified for the
work who can be spared from the tax
work of the bureau have been directed
to cooperate to the fullest extent with
the public and local officers.
To prevent delay collectors and
agents have been instructed to confer
with United States District Attorneys
in regard to cooperation in obtaining
and presenting evidence.
Drastic Enforcement Promised
"The national prohibition act is now
the law of the land" Mr.. Roper said.
ut makes the Bureau of Internal Rev
enue the directing agency in the en-
forcement Of both wartime prohbi-
tion and prohibition under the con-
stitutional amendment. The Secretary
and the Commissioner of Internal Rev
enue urgently expressed to both COM
mlttees of Congress the hope that this
important responsibility would not be
imposed on the Treasury Department,
burdened as it is with fiscal and reve-
wise, and tina department purposes to
respond in the fullest degree to the
duty placed upon it.
Not to enforce prohibition thor
oughly and effectively would reflect
upon our form of government and
would bring into disrepute the reputa-
tion Of the American people as law
abiding citizens. No law can be ef-
fectiveiy enforced except with the as
sistance and cooperation of the law
abiding element.
Close Cooperation Is Urged
I'VE have accordingly put into opera
tlon the necessary organization to CO.
operate with the public in the rigid
enforcement of the prohibition law,
and as chief enforcement officer appeal
to every ia- abiding citizen to give
me his or her support
Close cooperation between Federal
and state, county and municipal officers
ls of the utmost Importance. Collectors
have been instructed to get in touch
with Governors and Ma, ors in each
state and request their cooperation in
urging upon sheriffs and ell other local
officers the vital necessity OF their i'm
medlately assuming their responsible
ties under the new act.
We expect unreserved cooperation
from those moral agencies which arc
so vitally interested in the proper ad-
ministration of this law. Such agencies
include churches, civic organizations,
educational societies, charitable and
philanthropic societies and other vel
fare bodies.
Confidence Expressed in Public
1--WE undertake the task entrusted to
us with sense OF assurance prompted
by the same abiding faith in the Afieri-
can people that enabled US to appca, to
them successfully in the enforcement
OF tie war revenue laws.
The public has supported US SC
nobly in tax matters that we are CON
fdent it will not fail to respond in the
enforcement of a measure which, like
the income tax, now is part Of the
Constitution of the United States.
II look forward to such enforcement
OF prohibition as will sustain the mai
esty of the law and the honor Of the
American citizen and American insti-
'ntions."
Liberty Bonds--ss0. $780, $500, 81 900
be bought and In MI