Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-03-28
The Valley Tragedy and Its Lesson

COURT investigation of the circumstances
- leading to the killing OF one alleged boot
logger and the serious wounding OF another
by prohibition agents, and the surrounding of
the latter by mob which clamored for their
lives, should be searching that its findings
may serve guide to action which will
prevent the repetition of such lamentable and
disgraceful scenes in Virginia. There is no
disposition on the part OF any to say Il
told YOU So" but events coming to pass
even as it has been predicted by thousands
that they would with the growth OF the illicit
liquor traffic and the ill-advised methods by
which agents OF the prohibition department,
in their eagerness to make captures and con-
fsCate contraband. seek to check it, The list
of dead and injured is increasing, and it will
continue to grow unless radical change is
brought about. Perhaps the tragedy on the
Shenandoah Turnpike and the ensuing mob
scenes in Winchester may serve as the needed
warning which shall bring ii about.
There is no doubt in the face OF news
dispatches that the two men who fell victims
10 the pistols of the agents were violating
both the State and Federal laws by trans
porting liquor. And. whether or not they did
begin the battle, there is no doubt Of their
prepa redness TO take human life, because pis-
tolls and ammunition were found in their
possession. These facts are established and
are proof positive that they took their lives
into their own hands when they started
through Virginia with their Illicit cargo. But
il may be pertinent for the courts to inquire
il the officers had abided By the law, and il
they had provided themselves with proper
warrants before attempting to make the ar
rests. 1t is said that they had stopped and
searched every automobile passing along the
highway, but by what legal authority, be-
yond the sanction OF the prohibition depart
nent, ii is not stated The court Of course
will inquire il it was necessary for them to
draw their pistols If, as one report states
they began the fatal fusillade, while the boot
lesgers, at that time not proved bootleggers.
make their escape
These inquiries will be particularly per-
tinent because Of the tactics the prohibition
agents have been using with increasing bold
ness ever since the State went dry. They
have searched trains. subjected passengers to
indignites and annoyances, overhauled per-
sonal baggage and stopped automobiles on the
highways, in spite of public protests and
without the warrants which the law says they
must have. The prohibition laws are on the
books put there by the mandate of majority
OF the people and they must be enforced
Even those who doubted the wisdom OF their
enactment demand that they be enforced for
the sake OF the States good name, but in their
enforcement other laws must not be trans
crossed, and there are still some personal
rights which with safety cannot be violated
AS rcgrettable as is the Valley affair and as
good will grow out of it if it arouses the
people TO protest against the methods used by
the prohibition department. methods SO OBJ
noSious that the very name OF Virginia has
become anathema TO persons whom necessity
forces to cross its borders.