The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-06-18

a law permitting court officials to in
clude the expense of detection in the
costs assessed in judgement against
the convicted person; but through lack
of proper backing, he asserted, he fail
ed to prevail on the law makers to
provide for this pressing need.
Being asked what could now be done.
in the interim before the next legis-
lature. Mr.. Thompson stated that the
only thing he could think of that
might be legal would be that the board
of county commissioners might offer
a reward equal TO the cost of detec-
ton, to be taken from their general
fund.
The question was asked the officials
Ger Milford himself showed Up. and the
ed a few weeks ago by Officer Mil
fred with a large sack full of Cuban
Cognac on his back. and held three
days in the city jail, was released with
out punishment. At this instant Off
why the barge captain Sorenson arrest
question was asked in the presence
of Mr.. Milford If the officials believed
that police officers would be encourag-
ed to continue efforts to enforce the
prohibition law when their work end
ed as in the Sorensen case. Mr.. Mil
ford made the assertion that o. him
any further efforts.
Mr.. Thompson asserted that Soren-
sen was in Jail during his own absence
from the city, and that if the case
had been turned over to the county he
would have secured a conviction. He
expressed an interest in still taking up
the case, when informed that Soren-
sen had just been re-arrested, this
time by federal officials at st. An
drews.
Officer Milford explained that there
is no city statute under which such
parties as in the Sorensen case can be
held by the city; but he had no idea
why the case was not turned over to
the county. The question was asked
If it would not be possible to put law
on the city statute books whereby
prohibition could be enforced; but no
one present ventured opinion.
When asked why it should cost SIS
to catch a boot logger or blind tiger
operator, Messrs. Thompson and Van
Pelt explained that m addition to gaso-
line for the automobile. in pursuing
supposed and elusive violator from
place TO place often for a considerable
time, it was absolutely essential for
the detective officer to purchase at
least one bottle of the liquor to be of
fered as evidence in court; and as
the price of good booze is now around
SIP a bottle S25 is soon accounted fon
The sheriff cannot get his money back
for this liquor; he cannot sell it, give
1t away or use it; and unless he is
in some way reimbursed, it is a per-
sonal loss to him.
Mr. Van Pelt felt that he was en-
titled to credit for making great eff
forts to check violations of the prihi-
bitton laws; and both he and Solicitor
Thompson stated that they earnestly
invited any suggestions and any pos
sible cooperation from interested citi-
zens. Each stated that he would per-
sonaIly give five dollars of his own
funds to the first person who would
bring him any evidence leading to
conviction OF a guilty party. Mr.. Van
Pelt stated that he had been untustly
accused by some apparently WELL
meaning persons of favoring some of
his own personal friends In the vio-
lation of law. He asserted that the
very contrary was true; and authorized
the statement that in such cases he
would personally give S25 for any cyl
dence that could be used to bring q
conviction. He made strong plea for
fair play and cooperation.