The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1920-01-30
AID OF CLERGY SOUGHT
IN DRY ENFORCEMENT
DANIEL c. ROPER ASKS PASTORS TO
NAME COMMITTEE IN EACH GONGRE-
sATION TO DETECT VIOLATORs RE-
SENTIMENT is REPORTED-MAEY
MINISTERS SAID TO HAVE REFUSED
TO GIVE HELP TO WHAT is DEsCRIB-
Ed AS "PRIVATE SHOPPING OF UP
LIFTERS."

Text Of letter sent by Daniel {.
Roper, Commissioner OF Internal
Revenue, to clergymen OF all churches,
asking their active cooperation In en-
forcing the prohibition laws:
NY Dear Sir-I remember, with
pleasure, the splendid cooperation
given this bureau by the clergymen OF
America in creating a right public
spirit towards the administration OF
the income tax. The national Govern
ment has never depended in vain upon
the clergy Of this country when their
support has been needed for any pur-
pose in the public good. Therefore, l
am writing you now, confident that
the appeal / make for your special
cooperation at this time will meet
with sympathetic and hearty response.
You have always stood for the
soOriety of manhood and the uplift OF
the home. The cause Of law and or
der always finds in Sou strong COM
partnership. It needs you now. Clergy
men throughout the u. s. for years
have been urging that the Government
sever its partnership with the liquor
business" After many years OF con-
troversy, the National Prohibition law
is now an accomplished fact. But the
results for which the clergy have SO
earnestly striyen-the sobriety of man
hood, the supremacy Of law and order
have not been attained by the mere en-
actment Of q law. Only by its en-
forcement can these benefits be real
lied.
The period of controversy has pass
ed. We are not now concerned In any
n nhnf n To rrybn fInTS of 1ofi 7ol
prohibition is the best thing for the
country. 1t is now the law of the
land My appeal to you, therefore, is
not for prohibition, nor for revenue
measures, but simply for the creation
of clear, strong public support for
enforcement Of the law The public
mind must be clarified, misunderstood
ing of the situation swept away and
the right spirit aroused.
Your own church members, of
course, will give unhesitating adher-
ence to the prohibition laws; but it
is necessary that they do more. To
coordinate and give force and direc-
ton to their individual efforts it is
strongly urged that a committee on
law enforcement be appointed to re-
ceiVe all complaints of violations of
the law and to lodge such complaints,
together with the evidence obtained
with the proper authorities. The act
i've support of such committee back
ed by the influence OF your members
viii be a very great help to local Of
ficers-Federal, State and county-in
enforcing the law. Wherever any
officer fails in his duty, public senti-
ment should secure his removal.
Your valiant leadership and your ring
ing challenge to the citizenship and
the moral sense Of your church mem
bers will be the chief influence in
creating the right public spirit in
your community.
This bureau will vigorously enforce
the law, now part of the Constitu-
tion of the United States. I enter up
on the task with strong and ever
widening faith in the American people
as a law-abiding nation. But at the
very beginning Of this great task I
appeal for your earnest, definite and
persistent support. May count on
it?
Very sincerely yours,
DANIEL C.. ROPER