The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-04
LEADERS ADDRESS
 MEETING ON DRY LAW ENF FORCEMENT
Maj. Roy A. Haynes and Dr.. Wayne B. Wheeler Speak at Mass Meeting Sunday
 Afternoon

Appealing to the public for a more concerted program of cooperation in law enforcement, Prohibition Com missioner Roy A. Haynes delivered an address before largely attended mass meeting held at the First Meth odist church Sunday afternoon.
 An address was also made by Dr.. Wayne B. Wheeler, counsel for the National Anti-Saloon league, and an outline of the work being done in Alabama was made by J. Bibb Mills, superintendent of the Alabama Anti Saloon league.
 Fred M. Jackson presided and in- troduced each of the speakers. 1n- vocation was pronounced by Dr. J. G. billiard, pastor of the Southside Bap- tist church. and benediction by Dr. George R. Stuart, pastor of the First Methodist church
 Cure No Evils
 "To nullify the prohibitory laws. or to repeal them will cure no evils that arise from the liquor traffic" declared MT Haynes. But you will set precedent and make it more easy to nullify any law that may be rendered difficult of enforcement through propaganda or un-American prejudice"
 MT. Haynes asserted that there was no logic in desiring repeal of the prohibition laws because they were hard to enforce. That it is difficult at this hour to enforce them we do nce deny." he said. That there are viola tions of the law we do not doubt, but the laws against murder have been known on this continent since the Puritan walked our shores, and yet we have many times awakened to find that human life is seemingly held lightly in our land.
 Prevalence of Murder
 "The prevalence of murder gives us serious concern and the enforcement of the law at times seems most diff ficult. Shall we, therefore, nullify the laws against arson because we find in times of business depression there is a prevalence of fires that have incendiary origin? Now, who will be n1ost fn favor of this sppeal--s the honest property owner, or the man who profits by the use of the torch? It is an easy matter to pre- vent the violation of the law against arson by simply repeating it. but it is extremely doubtful that you would remedy any of the evils arising from arson by so doing"
 The Nolstead act and the Eight eenth amendment are going to stand, MT. Haynes declared, because the people of the United States them selves stand for enforcement of the laws on the statute books. The United States department of justice, he said, had showed determination to enforce them and a commendable spirit of cooperation with the dry forces.
 Federal Enforcement
 Speaking of federal enforce ment the speaker. said: Let me at this point digress long enough to bear witnesse to this fact, that at all times when l have called upon the Attorney General, his response has been cordial and immediate to the frll extent of his power. This not only applies to the Attorney General himself but to his various associ- ates. They have given every pos sible aid to the prohibition unit In the prohibition law enforcement ac- tivities."
 The speaker declared that the United States is reaching crisis in the matter of law enforcement, and he branded as traitors to the con stitution of their country those who knowingly winked at violations of the prohibition laws. He directed the fire of his criticism particularly against influential men of various communities who put their voice on the side of lax enforcement of these laws.
 Ridicule Weapon
 Dr. Wheeler spoke on the same general theme as Mir. Haynes. but touched more particularly on the un- dermining efforts of the wet forces to emasculate the prohibition laws. Their most insidious weapon. and likewise their most powerful weapon, he said, is ridicule. On the motion picture screen, on the vaudeville stage, and in other places, he said, ridicule of prohibition had been made.
 This weapon is losing its edge. however. he said. as exhibitors have come to realize that 1t is cheap humor." and is, at best, questionably appreciated. He spoke of an order from the manager of the B. F. Keith vaudeville circuit that mo jibes or jckes against prohibition should be permitted henceforth."
 Misrepresentation Weapon
 M1STepTtStilldtlOil tht cPtahti ooAts is the second weapon. This has been used more effectively. he declared. in the press, and he referred particular ly to the Washington Post and the New York Herald as wet sheets" "Thank God the rank and file of the press refused to be prostituted," he declared.
 Attack of opponents of prohibition laws against their enforcement. he said, constituted the third weapon. This has been attempted through control of legislatures, he said, but has been unsuccessful. He pointed out that recent elections showed tenn per of the people in favor of vigorous enforcement of prohibition laws.
 Both Mr. Haynes and pr. Wheeler were frequently interrupted by ap- rlause.
 TlIRERCUl 0SISDEATH :.