New-York tribune., 1921-04-05
Bills Signed
Making Police
Dry Enforcers
Governor Declares Local
Department With Proper
Head Can Clamp Lid
Tight OH Liquor Traffic
Calls N. Y. City Disgrace
Measures May Be Amended
So as Not to Congest
Court Calendars Here

ALBANY, April Anew York State
this afternoon joined hands with the
Federal government in the effort to
stamp out the illicit sale of liquids
with an alcoholic content of more
than one-half Of ! per cent, when Gov
ernor Miller signed the two Mullan-
Gage bills, providing for state dry en-
forcement. The new laws become eff
fective at once.
One enacts as a state law the prn-
cipal provisions of the Volstead act
while the other provides for dry en-
1orcement by officers of the various
localities. The Governor also approved
the MullanG Gage bill which gives those
who become i'll as the result of drink
ing liquors the right to institute
action against those who sold or gave
them the stuff. In the event of death
the heirs at law may sue.
In signing the bills Governor Miller
said that it is likely that an amend
ment will be introduced to the dry
enforcement act which would permit
prosecuting officers in New York City
to bring dry vioiators to trial in the
Court of Special Sessions without a
jury, instead of trying such cases by
indictment before juries in the Court
Of General Sessions.
Calls Difficulty Imaginary
The suggestion for this amendment
was proposed at the hoaring on the
three bills before Governor Miller in
the Executive Chamber at noon TODAY.
At that time it was said that the court
calendars in New York City are SO
crowded that it would take considerable
time to reach these cases and would
delay the trial Of important criminal
cases. 1t also was asserted that be-
cause large percentage of the popu-
lation of New York City is opposed to
the dry law it might be difficult to
find juries which would return con-
victions.
Governor Miller in answer to these
arguments said he realized that certain
difficulties exist, but that he believed
the major part Of these difficulties are
largely imaginary.
The Governor, when he announced he
had signed the dry enforcement bills,
was asked if he had any comment to
make-if in mis- opinion prohibition
is good .hing.
"There is no way of checking water
after it has gone over the DAM" was
his reply.
think may be the result of these en-
forcement measures 2" was the next
question.
II am not prophet" he replied. ~
have said that the way to find out
-bot1 ho "a
bad law is to enforce it, instead OF
violating it. l do not say whether
this law is good or bad.
"If it is bad, the enforcement of it
would demonstrate its badness; if it
is good, the enforcement of it would
demonstrate it's goodness. The viola
ton of it is the worst of all possible
evils"
Those who oppose state dry enforce
ment were not represented at the hear
ing on the bills this noon. The only
arguments advanced were those dealing
with the enforcement situation in New
York City. Governor Miller declared
himself satisfied that the manner OF
enforcemens provided for in the meas
ures is both practical and desirable if
police heads treat it on the level" In
the course of his remarks he referred
to the situation in New York City
which he characterized as "publie
disgrace He expressed assurance
that the police officers of the City OF
New YoAS, with the right head, are g
body OF men who would terminate ex-
listing conditions
~ know he said, chat people say
this is simply an opportunity presented
to, the police officials to levy tribute
l have higher opinion Of the police
offlcials of the City Of New York. Yor
lContlnued on uaqa alahteanl