Norwich bulletin., 1922-12-19
PROHIBITION, INFORMALLY
 DISCUSSED AT WHITE HOUSE

Washington, Dec. IS. = Problems of prohibition enforcement were discussed informally today at White House con ference between President Harding, the federal departmental chiefs directly in terested and governors of fourteen states.
 It was indicated that the discussion re- volved almost entirely upon the ques- tion of how the states could best co-op- crate with the federal government in executing the terms of the prohibition amendment. It was hinted that another
 meeting of state executives might be called early in the coming year to can vass the subject more thoroughly. At the White House luncheon were. 1 in addition to the president: Vive Pres ident Coolidge, Attorney General Daugh- erty, Secretary Mellon, Prohibition Com missioner Haynes. Governors Cox, Mass achusetts; Ritcflie. Maryland; Trinkle, l Virginia Hartness, Vermont = MeCray, /! Indiana; Kilby, Alabama ;. Hyde, Mis- souri :; Presus, Minnesota ;. Alcott, Ore gop: Allen, Kansas; Morgan. West Vir- gina; McKelvie, Nebraska Davis, Ida
 ho; and Campbell, Arizona. ,.
 l Tn many cases,' Commissioner Haynes declared after the meeting. ''the reports of the governors were of an encouraging nature. Numerous instanc: l es of lack of co-6peration were pointed i out; many of the inadequacy of federal l forces were suggested. --..-. There was a preponderance of opinion l that an earnest official appeal for rev 1 erence of the law and a more cordial support of law enforcement by the press, would combine to cure the west condi- 1 tions reported
 I According to some who attended there was no suggestion during the three hoGI 1 conference which indicated belief that the situation might be helped by loosen ing the present stringent enforcement statute.
 1 To the contratry, it was said, the pre- valent- opinion seemed to have been that imposition of more severe fines and pris- on terms would assist the enforcement officials in their work. l Other suggestions, all of which were declared to have been entirely inform. al," included a more careful selection lof prohibition personnel, larger ,appro- lpriations for the federal bureau and ed tucation of the general public to the nee lessity of law enforcement fl Governor Allen, of Kansas, said to
 might the conference had indicated clear
 lily that all the governors present who's states have enforcement laws were il
 entire sympathy with rigid enforcement Governor Cox of Massachusetts, one O . the two states lying outside this classi
 fication, was quoted as of the opinion . that ''more money. and more honorabl , men" were necessary. Since the zlaV
 was on the statute books, he held, must be enforced.
 The majority of the people of Mary land-the other state without special enforcement laws-believe that the Vol
 stead act is impossible of enforcement, il , the state, according to Governor Ritchie Our people in the main, regard it a
 an unnecessary and drastic federal in
 !fringements of their state and persona
 righhts," he declared in a statement is sued after the conference and which va described as setting forth the views h : had expressed to President Harding. ''The lack of respect for law and act ual lawlessness which have resulted deplorable. The only remedy I see: | to recognize that the VoIstead law ] ] destructive of the rights of states an - to. turn the whole question back to tn
 states so that each state may settle . in accordance with the will of its ow : people,
 Il Wayne B. Wheeler, general couns. III for the Anti-Saloon League said tn l moral effect of the conference undoubi si edly would be great.
 Tt emphasized the necessity for tn
 law enforcement" he said. land the dut
 of the states to enforce their own +prt . hibition laws. The conference wi strengthen the arm of every, law CT l forcement official and sdiscourage ever [ hootle1ger in the ITnited Sfatesn