The New York herald., 1921-01-21
Executive Repels Appeals OF
Politicians Who Shiver at
Proposed Adoption of
VOlstead Law.
HOME BREW Is EXEMPT
Cops Are Not Expected to
Invade Family Residences,
but Speakeasies and
Saloons Must Go. y
BOOTLEGGING is BANNED
Best Way to Get Rid of Any
Unpopular Law Is to En-
force 1t Most Rigidly.
Is His Belief.
Rpeoiai Despatch to THE NEW YORK HEsALn
New York Herald Bureau,
Albany, Jan. 20

gDeoial Despatch to THE NEW YORK HxsALn
New York Herald Bureau,
Albany, Jan. 20.
Gov. Nathan L. Miller made it very
plain to-day that if the Police Depart
ment of New York city does not en-
force the Volstead act after it is passed
as a State law. as well as all other
laws on the statute books. the me-
tropolis will have a new Police COM
missioner. There is no doubt that the
Volstead act in duplicate will be passed
by the Legislature, and the Governor
believes that the Police Department IS
fully able TO enforce it. He will put
It squarely up to the Police Commits
sioner to see that it is done.
"It is not my duty to enforce the
laws in New York said Gov. Miller
to-day. but it is my duty to interfere
with the head OF the Police Depart
ment if the laws are not enforced.
Fail to Convince Governor.
The Governor has been told repeatedly
bv city officials and politicians that the
massage of the Volstead act as a STAKE
measure will impose 6 tremendous bur-
den on the police force which may break
it and lead to general neglect of other
law enforcement But he does not pc
neve this. He is convinced, from his
wide knowledge OF police work and con-
ditions. that the New York Department
can accomplish prohibition enforcement
up 70 a condition of almost complete dry
ness without in the least interfering
with other regular duties.
He does not expect the police to 60
into homes TO stop home brewing. He
does expect that the 'speakeasy VIII
be closed that open bootlegging will
cease and that the police will have
big hand in accomplishing these results.
Furthermore, Commissioner Enright VIII
not be able TO get away with a plea for
more policemen on the strength Of =
protest that prohibition enforcement -
taking up all of the time OF the men OF
his department.
Understands Police Work.
II the Governor has anything to say
about it. and he probably will have a
great deal to say. he will not stand for
that. He knows something about police
from actual experience.
and he believes that every policeman can
tell in twenty-four hours Just where
and how tho enforcement law Is being
broken in his district by simply walking
around and keeping his eyes open.
There will be no excuse for a protest
that enforcement of the new State law
must result in neglect of other laws. in
the opinion of the Governor. The state
ments OF city officials and politicians who
shuddcr at the thought of complete en-
torcement has not altered his stand H.
the least. When the new law IL passed
he will talk straight 10 the police author
tiles. giving them In substance some such
message as IL here outlined.
When he was discussing recently bis
special message on prohibition enforce
ment the Governor remarked that the
way TO get rid Of a bad or unpopular law
was not 20 violate Il but to enforce IL
rigdly. iie spoke generally. however
and did not mean 10 imply tnat he be-
licved the Nolstead law TO be bad