Evening star., 1920-01-24
CLERGyMEN TO AID
US. NDRY WORK

Practically unanimous response has
been received TO a letter recently sent
to 125.000 cIergymen in the United
States by Commissioner Daniel c.
Roper OF the bureau of internal reve-
nue.. asking their support in creating
public sentiment for enforcement of
the prohibition amendment to the
Constitution.
statement issued by the commits
sioner today said that not more than
a dozen unfayorable replies had been
received. Some of these had gone so
far as to say they would protect rio-
lators of the law. but the commits
sioner adds that he does not believe
the writers will undertake to main
tain that position. The statement fol-
lows:
$4,000 clergymen of all denomina-
tions throughout the United States
The letter. of course, did not require
a written reply. but looked confidently
to definite action on the part of the
churches in the way of cooperation
on their respective localities There
have been. however. up to this date,
quite a large number of voluntary
written replies from the eclergymen
with practically a uniform indorse-
ment OF law enforcement and assur
ance of the most hearty co-opera tion.
There have not been over dozen
adverse replies received from the en-
tire country. Some of these letters in
opposition have stated that the writer's
we're not only unfavorabde 10 law en-
forcement, but would do what they
could to protect vioiators. This, how
ever. Is SO un-American. especially at
this time. that / do not believe even
these writers will undertake upon re-
Election TO sustain such a position.
Nxystl ~
Our government is operated on the
funda mental principal of rule by ma
5orities-not minorities-and the almost
uniform response in line with this prin-
ciple encourages us to believe that a
sane and effective administration of this
law will not only be supported by the
American people. but be demanded by
them Law and order and the protec-
ton of life and property are involved
IN any question of the support Of the
laws of the land and Americans will
not disregard this principle of demo-
cratic form of government
The bureau of internal revenue is
charged solely with executive func-
tons and therefore has no option in
the matter of administering thorough
iy any and all laws which theTCon-
sress has entrusted to il. With the
general tenders of cooperation, which
are coming from every quarter, there
SHOuiO Dc ilO greater In sue
cessfully administering prohibition
than in administering other laws"
The commissioner statement fol-
lowed published stories that organi-
zation of voluntary groups to aid the
government in law enforcement had
caused resentment and misrepresen-
tation in some quarters. Particular r
reference was made to Colorado.
where the commissioner letter TO
-clergymen was referred TO by the
state organization in it's appeal for
funds to be used in it's work. Wayne
B. Wheeler. general counsel for the
league. in reference to this said he
had not communicated with his Colo =
rado associates in reference to the
campaign for funds. but added.
1T appears to me that Commissioner
Ropers recent letter to clergymen OF
every denomination asking for the
creation OF a clear, strong public sup
port for enforcement of the law
speaks for itself. The Anti-Saloon
League echoes every word of that
sentiment. and uses its every dollar to
attain that end. II Supt A ] Finch
of the Colorado Anti-Saloon League
asks for funds so that the organiza
tion may aid this government tn in
suring a clear, strong public support
for enforcement of the law / do no,
see how he can be I criticised for bis
action.