Capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1919-1980, 1921-05-14

Officers
Moral Improvement
Society Lauds Booze
Campaigners; Judge
is Scored
At a recent meeting of the
Moral Improvement League au-
thorized by the Ministerial Asso-
citation and composed of repre-
sentatives of numerous organiza-
tions Of the city of Salem, Marion
county, Oregon, the organization
adopted the following resolutions
with reference to recent efforts
to strictly enforce the laws rela-
ting to the manufacture, sale and
use of intoxicating beverages.
Whereas, the League has, care
fully Investigated the activities Of
the law enforcement officers In
the recent campaign in this
vicinity and the allegations Of
persons not in sympathy with the
law enforcing program, and feel
sufficiently well advised to ex-
press an opinion with reference
to the matter, and
Says Handicaps Admitted
Whereas, the Chief Of Police OF
the City Of Salem has on. numerous
occasions expressed to members
of said Moral Improvement League
his inability to bring to justice
local violators Of the liquor laws
for the reason that his force OF
officers and himself were so well
known that detection was prac-
tically impossible and has re-
Quested cooperation in securing
adequate funds and authority to
bring to his aid special service
men unknown to said violators,
and,
Whereas, the Steering Commit
tee of said Moral Improvement
League, acting under delegated
authority, interviewed the County
Court of Marion county, Oregon,
and requested aid in enforcing
the laws, and said County Court
responded by entering into con-
tract whereby officers under com
mission by the State of Oregon
and known as State Agents were
used in Marion County, Oregon
in bringing to the bar of justice
said violators, and
Whereas, said State Agents un'
der the direction of the Anti
Saloon League of Oregon have
been signally successful in locat
ing numerous persons engaged II
Illicit liquor traffic and have ar
rested many of them and placed
them in the hands of local au
thorities, and,
Whereas, many of the persons
so arrested have entered pleas o.
guilty, the evidence was so strong
and convincing against them, bu
have received only normal fine
and no Imprisonment for their of
fence against the law and society
while the cases against SOM
others were dismissed withou
trial, and,
Whereas, some persons who ar
POSSIBLY misguided or misinformet
have censured the County Cour
for its expenditure Of funds II
securing law enforcement, an,
have thus exaggerated some in
significant errors In judgmen
(not Of the heart or motiYe) o
faithful and efficient men en-
gagged in the dangerous busines
OF apprehending and bringing Il
justice these outlaws.
Therefore Be 1t Resolved, Tha
the Moral Improvement League
go on record as unqualifiedly ap
proving the County Court Of Mar
ion County, Oregon, in its polio,
Of law Enforcement, and charac
terize its policy to secure respec
for the law as wise and sound anS
in the interest OF the public wei
fare and a faithful adherence 4
its sworn duty, and we call upOI
citizens OF Marion County to sup
port the said court in their in
diyidual capacity, whether OF
,ficers Of the County or private
citizens, to uphold the law aud 4
make the violators thereof feel tn
full penalty Of the law in ordel
that crime and vice may be ef
fectively stamped out Of our com
munity. and to this end We de
mand heavier fines be imposes
and jaiI sentences be meted on
when advisable. and that the lay
enforcing officers act diligentf
without fear OF favor
signed THOMAS AcHEsOh
Chairman.
IDA FLEMING, Secretarl