The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-07-24
KlLBY CALLS OFFICERS HARD FOR INTRUSION OF
 HOMES OF CITIZENS
Continued from Page One)

-eSpect TOT law ana US e11ect1Ve CT 
 Text of Letter
 The complete text of the gov- ernors letter follows
 Mir. c. w. Austin, chief law en- forcement officer, capitol.
 Dear Sir: Some of the mem- bers of the law enforcement de- partment seem to have total misapprehension of the nature and scope of their duties.
 The homes of the people of Alabama are their castles and should remain free from unin- vited intrusion unless they be-. come dens of vice. It was never contemplated by the legislature that the suspicion of a misde- meanor should justify a violation of this sanctity by the excution of search warrants.
 It appears from reports which have reached me that members of the force have invaded and searched the homes of highly re- spected citizens in Mobile, citi- zens who are not even reputed or suspected of being connected with the illegal traffic in prohibited 
 liquors.
 Such action might appeal to those ambitious for newspaper notoriety under flaring headlines, but, in my opinion, 1t brings the law enforcement department into disrepute among the sober think ing people, renders the prohibit ton laws as so administered ob- noxious to great numbers of good citizens and proves generally and highly dicreditable to the ex- ecutive department of the state. The men guilty of such conduct lack that sound discretion neces- sary to men intrusted with the performance of duties so impor- tant to the protection of the peo- pie, to the maintenance of re- spect for law and it's effective enforcement.
 If the reports concerning the alleged invasion of the homes in Mobile are found to be true. you will discharge the men who were engaged in making the Taids.
 have heretofore informed you that the chief duty of the law enforcement department is to stop the illicit manufacture and importation of liquors into Alabama, on the theory that the destruction of the source of sup ply would render it impossible to sell and otherwise dispose of the product.
 It Is not the function of the law enforcement department to perform police duty in the cities of the state, unless especially in- structed to do so by this office.
 You are, therefore. directed to confine the activities of your department chiefly to the cap ture and destruction of stills and other apparatus for the manu- facture of liquors apd the appre- hension of distillefs, and, sec ondly, to the apprehension of persons engaged An the unlawful selling or other disposition of liquors.
 You will give instructions to the members of your force to that effect. Very truly yours,
 THOS. E. KILBY, Governor.
 All Make Statements
 Conrad W. Austin, chief of tf tate law enforcement departmen ,pent the better part of the da saturday questioning Deputy La Officers Moates. Gro .nd Campbell, who are alleged rave raided the homes of Albert Bush, Henry Hall and Mrs. H. Donald in Mobile last Thursda The officers, who arrived in Mon xomery from Mobile Friday nign Ill made statements concerning u aids, which will be submitted Governor Kilby Monday. togeth' with a report from MT. Austin, a by recommendation Moates, Crow and Campbe were questioned Saturday only | MT. Austin, and were not called b ere the governor during the day. When seen following receipt Governor Kilby's letter, MT. Aust stated he had not yet discharged u .hree deputies concerned, and dded that he would have no stat nent to make until his report ar accompanied l of the three officers, al aid before Governor kilby Monda The chief executive himself said jul before leaving his office late Satu lay afternoon that there would be further developments in the matt SO far as he is concerned until Mol lay.
 There had been rumors Frids night that a delegation of Mobi ,itizens would call upon Govern' Nilby some time Saturday, but th failed to put in an al ,earance. Bart B. Chamberlain s' icitor for Mobile county, did conr' with both the chief executive an Attorney General Harwell G. Dav turing the day, but stated his bus ness had nothing to do with tr aids in Mobile on Thursday, last. b deputies of the law enforcement d ,artment. and he knew no more cor erning the matter than had dread