Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-11-28
Federal Enforcement, Machincr,

L LABORArE and intricate machinery for
IL the enforcement OF consitut ional pro-
hibition now is in the setting-up process.
While the new Federal commissioner. John
+. Kramer. i'll charge Of its construction. does
not expect TO have it ready for use before the
passing OF wartime prohibition. he is conf
dent that its wheels will be turning mcrrily
by the lime the Federal amendment becomes
effective.
If Mr. kramer's plans worK out and Tiers
is no reason to believe they will not, the en-
forced ardity will be as complete as it is
humanity possible to make it, The proposed
organization is thorough, reaching from The
internal revenue bureau down to the official $
OF ever! community. Behind this organiza-
ZION VIII be the overwhelming force OF public
sentiment. for. whether or not law-abidny
citizens favor prohibition. and whether or
not they approve of the manner in which 1t
mas been forced upon them. now that il is
fact. they will approve the plans made to
compel universal and rigid observance of the
Id" so long as II remains the law.
The internal revenue bureau will divide the
country into ten districts each i'll charge Of
Federal agent. Each OF these agents will
nave mobile force for use when and where
needed. In addition. each State will have a
Federal commissioners who in turn will di-
rect a force OF inspectors. Duties of the lat
ter VIII he TO Keep in touch with conditions
throughout the State and 10 ascertain if the
Id" Is pclnS observed. In case OF infructiOnS,
Tie state Federal director will report TO the
Federal agent who will investigate and make
arrests where the evidence is sufficient All
oil the Federal authorities will have the sun
port and cooperation of the State and local
!aw-enforccmcnt officers
so long as the Federal government has de-
creed prohibition for the several States and
through Federal action. even if such action
constitutes uSnrpation, ii has become an ac-
compllshed fact. there will be general salts
faction that IL has taken over the police duty
ol enforcing its own laws, thus relieving the
state OF the necessity of maintaining vast
establishment with its heavy expense No
o'her course would have been effective or
Just under the Federal enactment I, is
clearly evident TO all unpreiudiced persons
10 all except those whose Jobs are at s,al,.
or VINO are paid reformers. that under tho
Federal enforcement scheme no place is ,ef,
IN virginia for its Prohibition Department
M OF inc duties that it has performed now
VIII be taken over by Washington and with
us unlimited funds and forces they will he
performed more effectively and perhaps less
ophoA'ouSly than the State department has
nceh anic TO perform them Thereby tho
STATE IS relieved Of burden that has became
Almost lntoierablc. Action OF the Genera,
assembly VIII be necessary to end tho ac
INVITES OF the department but in the face of
All the facts 1t is not likely TO hesitate in on
ac'ihg the legislation that will abolish i, Rv
such action hundreds OF thousands OF dollars
VIII be saved for use in securing better
schools, better roads and in advancement, NJ
the states general welfare