Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-21
For law Enforcement

ON the broad ground of public policy and
~ 10 the end that law enforcement in
Virginia may become n fnct. The Times
Dispatch welcomes the introduction In the
General Assembly of n bill designed to
strengthen The administration of the pro-
hibtion statutes. There is no getting away
from the bald truth of the situation ms 1t
exists today in Virginia II is seriously
disturbing. Administration of the prohibit
ton laws has not been us effective as all
iaw-abiding citizens hoped that it would be.
II is possible that had Virginia been left
&c devise and execute all prohibition meas
ures. the result would have been more en-
couraging. 1t is not to be denied that the
adoption OF the eighteenth amendment with
the enactment OF the EolStend law brought
about divided authority with resultant
laXness In law enforcement which has mill
tated against the coming OF real prohibition.
There have been faults. too. within the
state. They are admitted by the makers
OF the present enforcement machinery. Even
that machinery has not been used to the full
ness of its capacity, as witness the failure
to invoke the custer law. one of the strong
est weapons placed in the hands OF those
charged with execution OF the prohibition
statutes. But wherever the responsibility
for the partial failure may rest. Virginia
faces n condition today from which II dare
not turn aside.
The measure introduced in the Senate yes
tcrday by Mr.. Mapp and in the House by Mr.
Deans. is designed TO remedy existing de-
rects in the present enforcement machinery
and TO strengthen II at its weak points. 1t
would transfer the duties of the Prohibition
Department 10 the Attorney General and
make him the titulur head of the enforce
ment division. II is wise move The
II
former years on the ground that special
department for the execution Of a particu-
lar set OF laws was unnecessary and it APP
proves Il now. 1t approves il on the ground
that Il viii! strengthen the cause OF law en-
forcement and win back that wholesome
respect for all laws which has been forfeited
largely through specialized activity.
The amount OF money suggested for the
use OF the Acknowledgement in> administer
ing the prohibition laws. 100000 for each
Of the two ensuing years may seem rather
disproportionaia in view of the present con-
dii!on OF the State treasury and he demands
upon 1t. However. that amount may he re-
Gardsd as tentative, and 10 be adjusted in
the wisdom OF The Assembly. Whatever
amount may be Sc; aside for the purpose
the Assembly NIL! make no mistake II It IS
a generous e The public purse will per-
mix. The States !A!r name is at stake. and
i nay % admitted frankly. for il has been
proved IN The LIST few years that the pro-
mb!Uoa laws cannot be enforced against a
large hostile s-ai.-utn. without adequate
funds. This enforcement has ceased 10 be a
matter FOR 'heor9Iing 0. political .ockeying
snc action IS netessGry 10 bring back re-
spect 70! ih= laws where respect IS lacking
All iaw-ahiding citizens desire that the laws
be enforced 80 long they remain on the
books. They Will not quibb!e now i: en-
to!ceneat proves more expensive than they
had expected IL would b=
Oiher provisions o: Senator Maps bill
are drastic, but perhaps. rot too drastic TO
meet the evil which they are intended 10
eradicate. II IL is necessary 10 pu, teeth
into the law. those teeth may as well be
made sharp
II seems unfortunate that the measure
should be known the prohibition bill"
II viii be more unfortunate IL IL brings
about ths old alignment and ii the vote is
preceded by the old controversy Rather IL
should be known IS the law enforcement
measure and. forgetting old embitterments
and old hostilities. the legislators who stand
Tor respect for the Law should combine their
forces In the shaping OF measure that will
remove from Virginia the present evils and
dangers OF the Illicit liquor traffic. II they
do that they will win the cordial approval
or all Nlrginians who place law observance
above law infringement