Evening journal., 1921-03-11
BEER RULING BY
DAUGHERTY SOON
Attorney-General Expects to
Consider Question in
Few Days
SEES DECREASE
IN CRIME WAVE

WASHINGTON March IL. - In
his first conference with newspaper
men Attorney General Harry NJ.
Daugherty outlined yesterday in a |
general way the policies OF the De-
partment OF Justice under this ad-
ninistration and discussed specin- !
cally but without definite answer.
the disposition Of the Palmer ruling /
that beer. as well as wines and
whisky. may be prescribed by ply
sicians and that tho prohibition Of
nee cannot limit the number OF a
physicians prescriptions
Here are the hiehlights OF the in
terview
Mr.. Daugherty has not read tho
Palmer beer decision, but he viii do
SO within a few days He has the
highest respect for the opinion OF a
predecessor. especially an immediate
predecessor. but would not hesitate to
reverse him II occasion required.
Attorney General Daugherty hopes
20 reduce rather than increase liti-
cation. He will bring no suit simply
for the sake OF suing; he will vent
no spite, personal or political. ana
when litigation Is contemplated the
accused will be given an opportunity
TO be heard and to right himself II
possible.
Mr. Daueherty believes the 'crimo
wave" is decreasing and the era Of
Vandalism" that followed the war is
passing. Therefore, he thinks there
will be less work for the courts to
DO and does not accept the view OF
prohibitioner Commissioner Kramer
and others that more courts and
prosecutors are needed.
He will not try 10 influence Com
eress one way or another in the agi-
tation for the transfer TO the Depart
ment Of Justice OF prohibition en-
forcement. Mr.. Daugherty said he
was not looking for additional re-
sponsibility. but If it is placed upon
pa he will not shirk IL.
lhere is TO be no wholesale pa
tronage shake-up in the department
In many cases district attorneys and
marshals whose commissions have
not expired win be allowed to serve
out their terms. They win be sue
ceeded by Republicans, but there is
to'be no immediate and promiscuous
ax welding
Mr.. Daugherty thinks several wo-
men should be among the executives
OF the Department OF Justice. For
the present, at least, he will keep
Miss Annette Adams as assistant to
tho Attorney-Goneral.
Attorney General Daucherty met
tho newspaper mon in an informal
way. lie walked about the room
chatted with them. and asked their
advice about departmental publicity.
He said frankly he did not intend 10
''tip off in advance" the prosecution
program Of the department. thus
giving information to the other side,
but he wanted all the news OF the
department in the papers as soon
as Il could be released.
Getting around to beer. a CORES
pondent asked:
HAS there been presented. or do
you expect to have presented to you
for review and consideration the
Palmer decision on beer?"
TT has not come to me yet" said
Attorney-General Daughorty. "and !
have not read Il. expect TO go over
II in the next three or four Gays"
'Will il stand for a while - say
during the hot summer months7"
We'll" smilingly observed Mr.
Daugherty, 1t viii stand az least un-
til reversed. Now I have the great.
est respect for the opinion OF any
body who has been Attorney-Gen.
eral. should have especially high
respect for opinions OF my immedi.
ate predecessor. and have. How
ever IL I thought he was wrong
would reverse him. and would ex-
pcct my successor to do the same"
isn't it customary for such opin-
ions TO stand as the construction OF
the law until upset or approved by
the courts2"
Il think you are right about
that" said Mr.. Daugherty. Il know
# is the custom In many OF IN,
States and I believe Il is a genera
proposition"