Evening star., 1922-11-25
PRESIDENT TO ACT
IN DRY LAW CRISIS
Executive Deeply Concerned
Over Boot|egging Reports
From Many Sections.

Because of the growing disregard by
persons of all stations of life of the
VoIstead enforcement act the admins
tration is determined to take some dras-
tic action to bring about u more string
ent enforcement of the law and to make
it more generally respected
When announcement to this effect
was made officially at the White House
late yesterday afternoon, it was ex-
planned that the prohibition situation
was seriously discussed for more than
an hour at the cabinet meeting yester-
day and that it was decided to find
ways and means of curbing what IS
looked upon by the President as a grow
ing d!srespect for the Constitution of
the United States, at least that portion
Of it known as the eighteenth amend
ment
No secret is made of the fact thai the
administration looks with great concern
on the situation. one high Official,
Speaking for The White House, said the
apparent attitude of the general public
toward a condition that is considered
TO be undermining the moral tone of
the nation has developed a domestic SIT
Gdtlon that is deemed far more grave
and menacing than the average citizen
ilnagines.
President Deeply Concerned.
If facts in the hands of the President
were to be made known at this time
their nature would be a revelation. i,
was SAID
Aside from determining that the
government VIII vigorously enforce
the law no decision as to ways and
means of bettering the situation was
reached al the cabinet session II
was strongly lntimated however that
the executive is So concerned regard
ing the incrcasinG and general disre-
spect for this law that he will very
shortly make a public appeal 10 tn.
conscience given, government low
ing" and law revering'' citizens of
the nation. 1t was explained though
that no additional legislation will be
sought, nor will there be any effort
made to modify the enforcement act
II may be necessary, however, for the
government to ask Congress to ap-
propriate large additional sums to
make it possible for the government
more stringently to enforce the law.
1t was said by a spokesman for the
President that he and his cabinet ad-
vsers are appalled, by the extent of
the disregard for the prohibition law.
Regarding the law violators. it was
pointed out that one of the most dis
turbing features is the fact that it is
not only the so-cailed bootlegger. but
persons of the highest class-persons
who would not for an instan: think
of violating any other law of the ma
tion-who are the lawbreakers in
this case.
Graft Charges Serious.
1t was stated tnat the President
entertains the highest regard and re-
Spect for Prohibition Commi sSoner
Haynes. but it is understood that the
White House fears that the machin-
cry of the prohibition office has
broken down--that ii is inadequate
TO cope with the serious and grave
situation that has developed. Ability
on the part of bootleggers to corrupt
enforcement agents also is. known to
be giving much concern to the gov
ernment.
Although President Harding is
known to be greatly concerned about
what the administration has seen fit
to describe as a growing menace, he
is said to have expressed hope that
he will be successful in ringing
about the results desired.
Before the President issues any
public appeal, as has been intimat ed.
he will again take up the matter with
his cabinet, probably at next Tues
days session.