The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-12-28
DAUGHERTY y! g*;'s, :.o |, CO-OPERA.. :. OF STATE ATTORNEYS
Enforcement of Prohibition and the Food and Fuel Supply Laws Are
 Referred To
By Associated Press

Washington, December 27.-Co- operation of state law enforcement officials with those of the federal government was asked by Attorney General Daugherty in letters sent to- day to the attorneys general of the various states. Such cooperation, it was maintained, would result in bet ter and more uniform enforcement of all statutes.
 Enforcement of the prohibition ane the food and fuel supply laws way particularly referred to, Mir. Daugh, erty explained in announcing the dis. patch of the letters. There was n3 disposition on the part of the federal government to evade sponsibility, he added, but there was a feeling that the states should make every effort to enforce their laws which might be a duplication of federal statutes.
 Retail Prices
 The letters were also accepted in some quarters as a step in connec- tion with the move, recently an- nounced, of investigating retail prices.
 MT. DduBhery suggested to the state attorneys general that they call a conference of county prosecutors of their respective states and, if pos sible, bring about "a coherent, work ing arrangement" between them and the federal officials charged with the same enforcement functions. Such a meeting, he added, ought to be held early in the new year that the basis or understanding could be employed to effect economies in expenditures as well as serve the real purpose of accomplishing more thorough law enforcement.
 The coordination sought. MT. DauEherty said, ought to be of real help to municipal authorities, cham bers of commerce and others inter ested in reaching violations for ex- tortion in the prices now main tained."
 Referring further to the co-opera- ton which he asked. Mir. Daugherty said:
 Better Understanding
 This will make for a better un- derstanding among the people. It will also afford an opportunity for the several states. without duplica tion, with the federal government. to enforce laws which should be en- forced by state authorities and leave for the federal government such du- ties as devolve upon 1t.
 f'The two principal offenses which ] now have in mind are those against the liquor and the food and fuel sup ply laws. There is no disposition on the part of the federal government as represented by the department of justice to evade any responsibility in respect to its duties but the states, l believe, should first enforce their laws in regard to the violations and the federal government promptly CO operating With the states enforce the laws, which should be enforced by 1t. There are substantial Implications in many of these laws, and a better understanding between state and fed eral authorities will prove most ben eficial to both in the enforcement of prohibition and food and fuel laws pertaining to prices"
 The Attorney General added that he was desirous of bringing about "a complete and effective working sys- tenn" among all law enforcement au- thorities saying that only by sucn an arrangement could uniformity of proceedings be established and a similarity of fines and sentences be worked out.