The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-07-25
Five Group. Operating.

Did Won know that there are FIVE
sets or kinds Of men doing work OF
this kind in Virginia. fa) There are
officers from the department Of JUS
tree in Washington operating under
the surervision ~ the attorney-gen-
eral of the United States: (he there are
internal revenue officers from wash
inzton operating under the secretarv-
treasury ~ the United states tcl the
local nolice officers all over Virginia;
tdy the officers from the department
Of prohibition here in Richmond one
rating under the supervision ct Or.
Peters. a Methodist preacher. who Is
the commissioner of prohibition of the
state of Virginia and fel the bootleg
gers themselves In order TO get fonor
to sell hnotlegeers have boon known
to rush IN to Pullman cars and day
coaches. pretend that they are officers
Of the law. snatch UP and open grips
and suitcases in mad search for
liquor only have they been known
TO do it. but have been arrested for It,
Not SO long ago the daughter of a
prominent and highly esteemed citi-
zen Of Richmond was coming into the
city and her baggage was opened and
rudeiy handled by one who NAV or
may not have been an officer of the
law Her father grieved and perhaps
ircensed by It called up DR.. Peters
about H. The doctor told him that he
was very sorry indeed that his daugh-
ter had had such an unbecoming and
aggravating experience. but assured
him that his men did not do II, that
they were at the time specified by
him operating in another part OF the
state 1t may have been a local DO
licemen, or an officer OF the revenue
department or an officer from the de-
partment Of justice or what Is more
proha bile, it may have been boot
logger.
about the case was that as soon as
the girls father heard Of It. he did not
rush into print criticising the depart
ment Of prohibition. but he called up
the commissioner and I am sure that
he was surprised and gratifed to learn
that they were not DIR. Peters men who
Rad caused his daughter such harass-
Ing experience. May 7 commend his
example to all fair minded men and
especially to all people who voted the
dry ticket and want to see the law
properly and legally enforced.
II we believe everything we hear
and read against Or. Peters and his
department we will be playing right
into the hands OF the liquor people who
are doing all they can to discredit the
commissioner. abolish his office and
make the law SO odious as to create a
sentiment in favor of it's repeal.
The violence and persistency with
which he is being attacked by them
is proof that the law is being so well
enforced that ii Is difficult for them
to break 1t. Even now and for some
time past the enemies of prohibition
have been active, seeking to muster
sufficient strength by the meeting OF
the legislature next winter to abolish
the office of commissioner Of prohibi-
ton.
Must Not he Abolished.
The office must not be abolished and
for the following reasons: First, be-
cause the liquor people want 1t abol-
ished Whichever side the liquor peo-
pile themselves may take it will always
be we'll for those who love their fell
lowmen to take the other side: second.
the office as now administered Is en-