The New York herald., 1922-01-12
Disrespect for Liquor Stat.
utes Blamed for Increase
i'm Crime Wave.
'OBEY OR REPEAL Is PLEA
q. s., State and County Attor.
neys Organize for Coopera-
tion at Albany Meeting.
! Special Dispatch TO THE NEw York HERALp.
Now York Herald Bureau
Albany. Jan. II.

The breakdown Of liquor enforce
ment law has led to general disrespect
for all laws and to the crime wave
now so serious that it is a menace to
society, District Attorneys of New
York State decided to-day when they
met here with Federal attorneys in a
conference called to halt crime and
end other evils.
If the reputable and responsible citi-
zens of the State are to wink at lax
enforcement OF the Volstead act, boot
logging cannot be stopped. More than
this. this wholesale evasion Of the law
by men in high Office and high places
breeds such contempt for the law that
the spread OF crime is inevitable, the
States prosecutors agreed.
In an appeal addressed to the pub
lie, the District Attorneys call on all
responsible citizens to cease violating
the law and get behind the officials
who seek to enforce the law, or take
the consequences OF their own mis-
deeds.
This action, taken In connection with
the attitude Of the States legal officials
that enforcement is little better than a
failure and the breeder OF the evils
from which the public Is suffering. is
regarded here as the hardest blow
struck at prohibition in this State since
the Federal constitutional amendment
became effective. 1t is plain notice
| t% he tox Il
an end OF the crime wave are impos-
, sible unless all citizens cease making
farce OF prohibition and get behind
the prosecutors.
Dry Law Blamed for Crime.
The conference was called by Attor-
iiey-General Daugherty primarily 10
bring about cooperation among Federal,
state and county legal departments
fighting prohtsering in fcotstuffs and
fuel. These subjects were inst sight OF
when the gathering turned 70 the more
menacing crime wave. Seeking TO md
| the cause of crime, the District Attor-
Eeys pointed to the volsteao act.
''If the laws of the State are to be
enforced. IL crime is to be suppressed II
the property and persons OF the citi-
zens of this State are to be protected.
there must be fair enforcement OF all
laws" the address to the public,
adopted in the conference. sets forth.
Our so called reputable and respon-
siblc citizens must not wink at the vio-
lction OF some laws and thus lead 10
/ disrespect for all laws. we are no,
4 pleading. but demanding that public sen-
/ tiinent back up the legal officers Of the
I state IL the crime wave is 70 be sup
pressed.
Mere cooperation OF con'nittees be-
/ tween the State and Federal Govern
ment viii not check the crime wave and
correct conditions which arc threaten
ing the civilization OF this country. One
OF the reasons for the crime wave is
the deplorable public attitude which SUBJ
stitutes sentiment for sanity when Il
comes to the prosecution OF the pro-
committees is not sufficient 20 impress
upon some judges that they should add
Sing Sing and Auburn 10 taolr diction-
aries instead OF suspended sentences and
probation"
Newton Prcsidcs at Meeting.
The conference met in the Senate
chamber Acknowledgement Charles d
! NtWLOtl, pfcsluluHs Aht
| ing to order, said:
THE general rampage OF crime
throughout the country is a subject OF
discussion everywhere. believe a
crime. regardless OF It's nature. should
be prosecuted to the limit. can see q
great deal of benefit accruing from an
organisation OF district attorneys which
will lead TO an exchange OF views among
members and which will meet at inter.
walls TO discuss matters involved In
criminal prosecution.
There seems to be tendency on the
part OF our educational leaders TO be-
| little or tear down the enforcement Of
our laws. They are teaching our chill
dren in our schools that the Constitu-
tion Is out Of date Instead. they should
teach respect for law and order and es-
pecially for the Constitution"
John W. ". Grim. Assistant Attorney
I General Of the United states. represent.
Ing Mr.. Daugherty. outlined the purposes
of the Federal Government in seeking
cooperation with the state and county
attorneys.
AN enormous percentage Of the work
being done by the Department Of Justice
is work that could be done more eff
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