New-York tribune., 1921-12-28
Big Shake-Up
lRl Enforcement
System Begun
Daugherty Starts House.
cleaning of Implications
in Federal and State
Methods; Asks Assistance
State Revisions Urged
Letter to Attorneys Cen
eral Suggests Local Com
fcrences at Early Date

From Tho Tribune's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Dec. 27.-A general
housecleaning of all duplication in Fed
eral and state systems for enforcing
the liquor, food and fuel supply laws
was begun today by Attorney General
Daugherty.
SO substantial is the overlapping Of
powers and activities, nationwide re-
vision will mean a great saving in cx-
penditures and more effective enforce
ment, Mr.. Daugherty declares in a let
ter sent to the attorney general of the
states.
The Attorney Generals letter, which
is part Of his drive to reduce retail
prices, pointed out that such co-opera-
tion, particularly III stopping "extor-
tion in the prices now maintained" )"
would be of vast Importance to The mu-
nicipal authorities who have been try
ing to reach these law v1olators Mr..
Daugherty said the Federal authorities
were not disposed to shirl their duties,
but required cooperation.
Calls for Conference
To bring about a clean-cut working
arrangement between state officials
and the Federal enforcement officers,
the Attorney General calls upon the
chief Law officer of each state to gather
a conference of all prosecuting attor-
neys and United States attorneys. The
conference could frame working
agreement early in the new year, the
Attorney General says, which would
more thorough law enforcement. The
letter said:
The Department Of Justice of the
United States is very desirous of lend
ing its aid to bring about complete
and effective working system with all
law enforcement officers, and especially
with the legal branches of the several
states of the Union. This cooperation
Will not only insure reduction in ex-
penditures, but also more prompt en-
forcement of existing law, as we'll as a
uniformity in proceedings, sentences
and fines. This will all make for a
better understanding among tho peo-
pie. 1t also will afford ali opportunity
tor the several states, without duplica-
ton with the Federal government, to
enforce the laws which should be en-
forced by state authorities and leave
for the Federal government such duties
as devolve upon it.
Cites Two Offenses
"rhe two principal ofrenses which I
now have in mind are those against the
liquor and the food and fuel supply
/ laws. There is no disposition on the
part of the Federal government, as rep
( resented by the Department of Justice,
, to eyade any responsibility in respect
TO its duties, but the states, believe
should first enforce their laws in re-
gard to the violations, and the Federal
government, promptly CO operating
with the states, enforce the laws which
should be enforced by the Federal gov
ernment. There are substantial dupli-
cations in many of these laws, as YOU
arc we'll aware, and better under
standing between the state authorities
and the Feneral authorities will prove
most beneficial to both in The enforce
nent Of the prohibition and the food
and fuel laws pertaining to prices
This coordination of powers will aid
especially municipal authorities, cham
bcrs of commerce and state authorities
in their respective efforts to reach
violations for extortion in the prices
now maintained.
Gas many of these infractions are
intrastate cases there will arise doubt.
full questions whether violation OF
the law in the matter of fixing prices
by certain local retailers is one ovel
which the Federal government has
jurisdiction.
"With this subject in mind and the
object in view, as stated to bring
Continued on pass thrse)