Evening star., 1922-02-01
QU0TESSTAnST|CS
0NcR|MES IN D. c.
Mr.. Tinkham Says Law tio-
lations Have Increased
Under Dry Laws.

Amazing statistics were marshaled
by Representative George Holden
Tlnkham of Massachusetts,, formerly
member of the House District
0egislative) committee and now a
member of the subcommittee on Dis
trict appropriations Of the appropria-
tions committee, to show that there
has been a tremendous increase in
crime in the District. especially since
prohibition laws We're enacted. he
claims.
Mr. Tinkham hclds the police de-
partment of the District in no way
responsible, but scores the character
Of legislation passed by Congress.
Ruin OF American Home.
but, more than all, there is the
destruction and elimination of the
American home, where no longer
does the child know to whom to turn
for authority and direction and 1rons
which modern induStriallSm has SUD-
tracted parental care and state su-
pervision and intrusion weakened
parental obligations" said Repre-
sentative Tinkham.
Charging there are more murders
in the National Capital of the United
States than in London, Representa-
tive Tinkham quoted statistics TO
show that there has been an increase
of 142 per cent in cases OF fntoxica,
tion in 1921 as against 1917, ana 49,
per cent increase in homicldes.
Puts Blame ON Congress.
In scoring Congress as the prlncl-
pal party to blame for the conditions
he cited, Representative lihhhaih
said:
zone of the causes for this phe-
nomena is undoubtedly the character
of the legislation passed during the
last eight or nine years by the Soh-
gress of the United States, the meth
DDS employed for its enactment and
people for these laws and for all
law If this type is true, the District
of Columbia. being in such close as
sociation with Congress. would be
more acutely affected than the rest
of the United States.
During these years the people nave
seen the Congress of the United
States controlled neither by princi-
pie, courage nor unselflsh Devotion TO
the public veal, but surrendering 1T
self and its power for the making OF
laws subsequently and docilely to
the will of others and acting the
demagogue for selfish purposes as
never before.
at has seen an abject and obedient
Congress pass laws of profound i'm
pOT1ance To II
financed and highly organized minorl-
ties outside of Congress, sometimes
for the purely personal economic ENDS
of the minorities, sometimes suptu-
ary' laws from sectarian source,
sometimes laws dictated by 'blocs'
or minorities within Congress itself
for purely selfish class purposes OF
purposes purely of reprisal.
Laws passed under these condl-
tions cannot help lessening the obe-
dience to the laws themselves, which
are SO imposed and in turn to all
laws.
The example of Congress in re-
fusing to obey the mandatory in
junction of the fourteenth amend
ment to the Constitution TO reduce
representation in proportion to dis
franchisement. in violation of their
oaths of office. thereby making cleo
tions to the House of Representative
and to the presidency unconstitu-
tional and violating the first princi-
pie of the purity of the ballot. can
not but have it's profound effect on
the authority of laws enacted by
such lawmaking body"