The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1920-09-17
DISAGREE ON AMOUNT OF MORAL SUPPORT
BEHIND DRY LAW OFFICERS IN MONTANA

/ Helena clergymen on the prohibition
enforcement question follow:
i Charles L. Bovard, d. D., Butt
district superintendent, Montan;
i Methodist conference: 1.-THE prohi
bition law is quite as much of jok,
to the officers sworn to uphold it a.
it is to the public. 1t was public sen
timent that forced the adoption o
the dry law and public sentiment hal
not changed. But the officials ar,
falling down. II they would regar(
the manufacture of moonshine whis
ky as a crime comparable to the rob
bling of a postoffice-which 1t really
| is-bootlegging would be reduced II
minimum. l will pledge the sup
port of every church In Montana tt
any sincere movement on the part Of
the authorities toward making the
prohibition law effective. Moral sup
port will come when rigid enforce
ment is attempted. / agree with Mr.
Day to this extent: That cooperation
is necessary to the enforcement OF
any law, but 1 insist that it will be
enthusiastically forthcoming when
an earnest effort Is made"
George Mecklenburg, centenary
secretary for Helena Methodist dis
trict, embracing Montana, North Da-
kota, Idaho and eastern Oregon:
when officials say public sentiment
is not behind them in prohibition en-
forcement they should stop and con-
slider the question-which public SEN
timent? The public movement for
prohibition is just as strong as ever,
but it is no longer in fighting mood.
People regard the issue as settled
with the adoption of the law and
look to the officers, their servants,
to enforce it. . On the other hand,
the FOUNDERS are disgruntled and
boisterous. They are doing all the
agitating and consequently getting
all the publicity. Before accepting
these frothy utterances as public SEN
timent officials should take cogni-
zance of the great undertone of
moral support which is the voice of
the nation. Throughout the country
the jails are empty or nearly so and
there is a movement on foot to COM
bine the jails of several counties be-
cause prohibition has reduced crime.
have been told by men who origin
diiy OPPOoCo thO III Ia w that OhOQlo
the question be submitted again it
would be adopted by an even heavier
vote than was given it when it was
adopted
John P. Carroll, D. D., bishop of
the Catholic diocese of Helena: "Pro-
hibition is the law and will have to
be enforced. 1 have been out of the
state SO much that I am unfamiliar
with conditions relative to enforce
ment in Montana"
Newman Hall Burdick, pastor of
the First Presbyterian church: 81 be-
lieve moral sentiment behind the
prohibition law is needed, just as
moral support is required to make
any law effective. This law, it seems
to me, is considered a joke by many
persons and many by their acts are
to the indifference and
making 1t harder to enforce 1t. When
and responsible per-
sons use liquor at their meals or at |
5emi-official gatherings they are con-
tributing more than any other fac |
.Or to the lack of moral support that |
The prohibition act requires in order |
20 be a success. / think Mr.. Day is |
about right in his views on the mat
.er."
P. A. Fair, pastor of the First Lu-
heran church: 81 don't think the
condition is as extreme as Mr.. Day
pictures it. Many are giving their
moral support to the prohibition law
Ind there are not as many as the
United States district attorney ina
zines who wink at the law and the
Efforts to enforce it. The law is not
considered a joke SO far
IS know. 1t will improve year after
'ear. Mr.. Days view is a little
,loomy."
Emil Ziegler, pastor of the First
lutheran church: 81 think Mr.. Day
5 correct. Moral support for the en-
orcement of the prohibition law is
acking to very great extent. Sem
lment certainly seems to be needed =,
0 make the act effective. Too many :
eople treat the law as a joke and 7
ct accordingly" +
I. N. Hughes, pastor of the Grand i
treet Methodist Episcopal church,
outh: "Mr. Day is not correct in his I
omments on prohibition enforce {
lent. There is plenty of moral sup +
ort behind the law. The churches, r
atholic and Protestant. are for pro- r
ibition. The law is not generally
)nsidered a joke. Any officer ac- s
that he can't enforce n
lie law should have enough pride of c
Is oath of office to resign and let O
'meone be appointed who can and g
Ill enforce it. 1t seems to me that n
le dry law could be enforced if the
-oper efforts were made" q
l.. w. Smell, rector of st. Peters q
piscopal church: while my obser- ii
ltions on the mater are not extern G
We know that the churches are be- d
nd the prohibition movement. AL G
ough there are no doubt many who v,
ink the law is something to wink at
think many do not take 1t as joke CT
ID accept 1t as any other law" C
Charles M. Donaldson, D. D., presi- a
mt of Montana Wesleyan college al
ID formerly pastor of st. Paul's III
Episcopal church: "A lit Sc
, more backbone In the officers m
lose duty it is to enforce prohibi-
IN Is needed to make the act eff dl
ctive. The church forces after ac- m
mplishing the enactment OF pro- hi
oition have given the officers TO
ance and expect them to make I it