Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-04-29
Either the people must own the
Government or the Government will
own the peopie.--CooIidse.
IT SHALL BE ENFORCED

IT SHALL BE EMF ORCEO
Those protesting the opinion that
the prohibition law cannot be en-
forced will, il sincere, be found with
a thought which is the child of their
ish. Those who have sought pro-
addition, who have experienced the
benefits already accruing from it in
lcssening OF crime, restoration of
homes and comforts of life where be-
fore there were barely necessities,
must insist that the law shall be en-
forced. There must be an end of sa-
looms and the distilling and brewing
for beverage purposes. Big money
must be divorced from the business
SO that liquor criminals may have no
shield between them and the fate
which overtakes all criminals after
time
1t is a tremendous task. such as
only Il big people may undertake sue
cessfully. Enforcement will entail a
huge expense, but will be worth it
the richer because Of it, 1t will be an
impossible task, however, if invcn-
tory is to be made of every yeast
cake sold and every ounce of currant
wine made. Public opinion will be
wonderful disinfectant of the crew.
ces and by-places of the traffic if
grip can be held on the founts of sup
ply and support. Get after those.
Bring the transgressors into court
and have the court there to give them
prompt treatment. Wherever the
booze influence rears it's head for
purposes of getting money hit it and
hit hard. That does not mean giving
it immunity in other respects, but
does mean conserving effort.
All this is but repetition of what
common sense tells every man and
woman, and they both have votes.
Congress will do their bidding. Of
ficers of the law will do their bidding,
provided that bidding is insisted on
and persisted in. Meanwhile it will
be necessary to watch out" for at
tempts to throw off the trail, to divert
the attention, to discredit the effort.
The State of New York under her
lra va (,n,ar,,nv TO
10 enforce the law. Lack of courts in
which to try the cases becomes evil
dent Immediately The police COM
missioner of New York City says he
can enforce the law in that city if
the State will furnish him three mil
lion dollars with which to do it. An
other authority estimates that all the
expenses attending the trials of the
cases Will require another big sum,
twenty-five millions. Is this to give
the Taxpayer cold feet? Not when
he comes to clearly comprehend the
saving there is in pauper expenses,
iii other criminal expenses, and of the
use that is made of the energy for
merry devoted to guzzling. When he
thinks clearly and sensibly of these
things lie will provide the money, for
he must know that those who would
have it otherwise would have it so
they might rob him of more.
Congress has a big problem on its
hands. 1t must provide generously of
money at time when money is
scarce. 1t knows that every time
prohibition has been put to, a vote
the people have upheld it, And con-
sress is usually wise observer. 1t
is being asked by some to amend the
Nolstead law, by others, who dislike
at this time to open up the question.
TO pass some additional restrictions.
such as prohibiting the importation
of liquors for at least five Years:
stopping the further manufacture of
whiskey in this country until the
present stock is reduced; concen-
trating the stocks; making the Of
lenders bear the costs; to limit use
in medicines to alcohol alone; to re-
quire all other alcohol to be dena-
tured and rule out beer as a medicine
and thus effectually check the brew
ing interests: empowering U. s. Com
mlssioners to try misdemeanors
against the law, seemingly very
practical suggestion.
In all the hubbub and all the pro-
tests. notwithstanding sinister. efforts
on every hand to thwart, perplex,
corrupt and nullify, remember: it is
the law Of the land and while it is a
law it must be enforced If the Amer
lean people would hold up their heads
in self respect.