The New York herald., 1920-01-19
MR.. NEW YORKER,
MEET Mr.. KRAMER;
HE'LL KEEP Us DRY
Federal Enforcement Agent
Wants People to Give Pro-
hibition Fair Trial.

New York city, dry in certain circles.
had its first glimpse yesterday of John f..
Kramer, Federal Prohibition Commis-
soner, whose duty it is to keep the city
and the rest of the country in a perma-
nenuy arid state.
Mr.. Kramer is small in stature and of
middle age. An advance notice sent out
by the Anti-Saloon League, said that out
in Mansfield. Ohio where Mr.. Kramer
has practised law for many years, he is
called Honest John and is referred to as
tho silent little man with the iron jaw
and the telegraph pole backbone"
MT. Kramer, however. is not in New
York to awe the would-be violators of the
prohibition enforcement act by the close
ness Of his powerful presence. Law en-
forcement in this vicinity is still in local
hands. James S. Shcvlin. whose appoint
ment as special federal prohibition agent
for tho New York department was an
nounced on Saturday, said he would be at
his new post early this morning.
VIII Address City CIcrgymen.
The chief of the dry law enforcers is
merely passing through from his new Of
lice in Washington, ID. c., to attend to
some business at Columbus. Ohio, for
which he leaves this afternoon. But be-
fore taking his train Mr.. Kramer will de-
liver the principal address at the annual
meeting of the clergymen of New York
and vicinity. held under the auspices of
The New York State branch of the Anti
Saloon League. This is TO take place at
eleven o'clock this morning in the audi
torium of the Metropolitan Life Insurance
Company Building.
Mr.. Kramer last night made an address
at the Lutheran Church of the Atonement
10Th street and Edgecombe avenue. but
tho subject was not prohibition. Today's
talk it is said. will be on the duties of en-
forcement officers and citizens under the
dry law.
In all interview at his quarters in the
Hotel McAlpin after his arrival Mr. Kra-
mer set at rest the fears in some quarters
regarding the tyrannical way in which 1t
was reported the law might be enforced
lie declared:-
There is TO be no fanaticism in carry
ing out the law. as some people have
feared. Enforcement is to be in an en-
trely sane way. The action of the law
enforcers will not be rough Dshod. but they
will not wink at violations. We expect
to carry out the provisions OF the Prohi-
biton Enforcement law just as fully and
certainly as any other law is enforced.
feel that the fellows being gotten together
in my organization have that same idea
themselves.
No Interference with Business.
'1n executing this enforcement We viii
Try 70 interfere with legitimate business as
little as we possibly can. Most lines Of
business have told us they will do what
they can TO help and we have told them
We will help them in getting on a plane in
conformity with the provisions of tho law
"one thing think most vital to impress
upon the public is that within ten days
after January 1917, every one who has
liquor In his possession other than in his
private residence, for private consunption
must report the amount and the kind of
liquor and got n permit to keep il. Other
wise II will be prima facie evidence Of an
intention to sell It, and that is what the
Jaw is 10 prevent"
Mr.. Kramer was confident that the task
Of enforcing the prohibition amendment
will not be difficult. lie said no arrests
in the country had been reported TO his
office I'm Washington when he left early
yesterday morning, and was surprised 20
learn that alleged violator had been
arrested in New York
There are people," said Mr. Kramer
who feel that prohibition should not be-
sven though they arc not drinkers in the
usual sense OF the word. and they have a
right TO think that tho constitution should
be changed Yet these same people seem
10 feel that the law ought 90 bo obeyed as
long as it's here. RI oil the people would
adopt that attitude and give prohibition
and it's enforcement a fair trial for say o
year, 7 feel there will never be anything
else. n not, then tho law ought TO be
wiped of the statute books"
Mr. Kramer admitted that the forces
allotted to him might prove inadequate.
in which case, he said. more mon would
he added Recruiting ot tho force OF 80
allowed for tho New York department
which embraces New York city, Long
Island, Rhode Island and Connecticut. is
10 be his principal work az present, Mr.
Shevlin said. The prohibition agent viii
open temporary offices in tho Custom
House.
"Cireat care is being shown I'm the selec.
ton ~ the proper tync of men VIC want
for this work" said Mr.. Shevin I'VE
want good lively, husky men under forty
five years Of age. Preference viii be
shown 70 men who have served in the
army or navy. The men we select must
he fairly intelligent and with an average
education"