The Devils Lake world and inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, N.D.) 1915-1920, 1919-09-10
TEST OF LAW IS enforcement
SAYS LANCER REGARDING RAIDS
Action Of Flying Squadron Re-
ceives Commendation From
Both Sides Of Cigarette
Question.
Especial To The Worldly

Bismarck, N. D., Sept. 9.-'The
test Of a law is it's enforcement said
Attorney General William LANCER
when interviewed concerning the CT
garette lid which has been clamped
on in the state. During the war
period the Red Cross, Y. M. C.. A.,
Jewish Welfare Board, Salvation
Army, the Knights of Columbus and
kindred organizations collected thou
sands Of dollars for. distribution of
cigarettes to soldiers. The men deser-
we'd the attention of the public. The
cigarette was considered by the gov
eminent as a val necessity. But the
war has long been over. North Dako-
ia has a anti-cigarette law. 1 do
not care to express an opinion as to
whether I consider it a good or a
bad law.
1.-TWO months ago and since the
State Licensing Department sent out
notices of laws most apt to be violat-
ed. Registered letters were mailed to
all pool hall, confectionery stores and
other dealers holding state licenses.
There is no excuse for violation of
the law. Tie cigarette lid is on and
on tightly. My job as attorney gen.
eral is to enforce all laws without
fear or favor" he :u::luded.
The htatercsnt il Of desired inter-
ditionest in connection with the pres
ent conditions. Perhaps the greatest
law enforcing campaign in the his
tory of the state has just concluded
over the eastern counties. Langer's
so-called "Flying Squadron" in ten
days caused arrests on 1876 charges in
81 towns of IL counties, secured pleas
of guilty in 116' cases and orders hold
ing law violators for trial in district
court in 10 cases.
Towns visited and the number of
arrests in each were as follows:
Medina 2, jamestown 16, Valley
City z, Casselton 2, Fargo "a cigar
cite and 10 other cases, Grandin 2,
Grand Forks 4, Larimore 8, Lakota 6,
Petersburg 2, Doyon 2, Crary 2, Dew
ills Lake 2, Churchs Ferry 4, Knox 2,
Rugby 6, Oberon 2, New Rockford 2,
Darlington 4, and one each in Spirit
! wood, Eckelson, Sanborn, Oriska,
Tower City, Buffalo, Argusville,
Brinsmade, Leeds, Lallie, Sheyenne,
Barlow.
Seventy-four men pleaded guilty to
selling cigarettes, paid fines of $50
cash and costs and in addition have
a ten days suspended Jail sentence
hanging over their heads to be serv-
ed for a subsequent violation of the
! cigarette or other law. One man
pleaded guilty and paid $500 fine for
selling snuff. Two other were bound
for trial In district court for
"schnoos" sales; seventeen were ar
rested for gambling and paid a to-
tai of $170 fines and costs; six men
were bound over to district court to
stand trial for liquor violations; one
chief of police was removed; two stills
were uncovered and a notorious hotel
at Fargo was put out of commission
as a bawdy house.
In addition to these prosecutions
conducted in the various towns BY
Assistant Attorney General Albert E
Sheets, Jr., two pool halls were closed
and their licenses revoked by orde,
OF State Inspector Earle H. Tostevin
One, that of Perry Star located al
oberon, had all the apparatus of 6
similar place in the pioneer days. Thu
other pool hall, that of Henry May.
hew, Oriska, was closed as a penalt,
for contempt Of the law. Three
months ago Mayhem was arrested anc
convicted of selling cigarettes to mi.
nors and was told that further viola,
ton Of the law would mean his licehs.