New-York tribune., 1922-09-28
Smile Edict to
AidBootleggggers,
Drys Declare
Anii-Saloon League Counse!
Predicts Effc t VII BE TO
Increase Smuggling Of
Rum Into A m erica
Calls 1t ssSidestepping''
If U. S.-british Negotiations
Fail, l8-Mile Issue Nav
Be Pressed in Congress

FROM The Trfbune's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27.--Dry lead.
ers in Washington are by no means
pleased over the decision Of the Admin
istration to confine the activities OF
the prohibition navy" to the three
mile limit
Wayne B. Wheeler. counsel for the
Anti-Saloon League, predicted to-day
that the effect Ct the stand taken by the
government would be to increase the
smuggling OF liquor into the United
States, at least temporarily. He holds
that this government has the un-
doubted right to search and seize rum
smuggling vessels out to the twelve
mile limit and to do this under the
lowering act and under the provisions
of the tariff law.
The question of the right of the
United States to search and seize rum
carrying ships out t. the twelve-mile
limit is being passed on by the courts,
Mr.. Wheeler pointed out. The United
States Supreme Court will be con-
fronted with it this fall.
"Sidestepping Enforcement"
"The United States Court of Appeals
in the recent Boston decision" said
Mr.. Wheeler, "has upheld the right of
this government to seize rum ships out
to the twelve mile limit. The question
will be tested in the Supreme Court
and will come before the court on ap-
peal this fall. l believe the Supreme
Court will sustain the Court of APP
peals."
Until the courts have held other
wise, Mr.. Wheeler contends, offic ials
have no right to disregard the provi-
sions of the law under which, as he
sees it, the right of search and seizure
out to the three-mile limit is clear.
He calls it "sidestepping" enforcement
eve have an undouDted right to ex-
ercise jurisdiction over the waters
along our coast" Mr.. Wheeler said
Il believe that in the enforcement of
the law we should give the benefit of
all reasonable doubt to foteign vessels,
but If vessels which are hoyerlng oil
our coasts are clearly rum vessels
they ought not be shown any leniency
We already have seized fourteen of
thCii, civ AZ Woo %tSatis PAVNSN Shot
they were rum runners. its Il little
difficult to see how enforcement can
be sidestepped by our o.ncials until
the courts hold that the existing law,
applicable to the twelye-mile limit, is
invalid" r@sE aa
May Urge Eighteen-Nziie Limit
If the State Department should sue
ceed in getting the British govern
ment to consent to the establishment
of broad zone about the United States
with n which the dry 'navy" could op-
. crate, the drys would be satisfied
They have held off in their efforts to
press for legislation to bring about an
eighteen-mile limit because of the fact
: that negot. atoms have been on be-
tween this government and the British
government for the establishment OF
such a zone. If the negotiations fail
it is expected that the attempt to bring
: out an eighteen-mile limit will be re.
newed.
Senator Sterling, of South Dakota
! who pressed the eighteen -mile-proposi-
tion in the recent session, is strongly
disposed to press it again unless the
negot iations with the British govern
ment are successful. In view of the
attitude Of the British government
. backed by Canada. in opposing ma
neuvers of the dry fotillas outside the
three-mile limit, doubt is felt here that
the negotiations can be brought to a
conclusion satisfactory to the drys
According t, Mr.. Wheeler, rum
smuggling is the greatest obstacle
there is to enforcement of the dry law
He believes plans are on foot to anchor
rum ships all along the coat. and if
!. the traffic which he foresees eventu.
= ates there is no doubt it will cause a
great stir in Congress.