New-York tribune., 1922-11-30
II. s. Moves to
Clamp Dry Lid
AIl()yer Nation,
administration Seeks 10
Test Governments Power
10 Enforce by Squirting
Agents 10 Greater yigor
League Blames Judges
Courts and Officers Make
the Increasing Violations
Easier, Declare the Drys


ss.h an increased number of violations
II che prohibition Law, the Administra-
ion to-day moved to test the power cf
he government rigidly TO enforce the
volstea6 act by directing all Federal
faforcement agents to engage in q ma
4:an.wide drive on vioiators and to
king about the closest cooperation
vish state authorities in clamping down
the lid.
The initial step toward a more Wig
erous prosecution of prohibition cases
Was taken by Attorney General Daugh-.
eYty, who disclosed to-day that on No
sember 16 he had addressed letter
10 eli United States attorneys directing
ghen 10 push to the utmost all pend
jsg liquor cases and TO urge the courts
20 impose the severest sentences on
x;olators.
Yeilowley in Conference
Along with the release of the Daugh-
erty letter it was dieclosed that Prohi-
hilton Commissioner Haynes and Act
ing Prohibition Director Yellowley, of
New York, held long conference with
Secretary of the Treasury Mellon and
on the question of stricter enforce
asnt of the dry law. 1t Is understood
these officials agreed that a series Of
"dry" raids throughout the country
should be staged at once in the hope
iaat the ADMINISTRATORS desire to
wipe out the illicit traffic vii! be made
known.
Another development in the prohi-
bition situation to-day was the state
merit of Wayne b. Wheeler, general
counsel of the Anti-Saloon League. that
~ TNnr1lts Ayft AlxAAot
ia Montreal, which was attended bv
representatives. from all the states, had
placed the blame for laxity in enforce
nsnt ~ the United States to Federal
irsses IN United States district at
tome, Who we're charged with being
ansynpati etic to the Volstead act.
Wheeler said the following statement
cs the conventions action had been for
esrded to the White House:
"Evidece accumulates that RESPONSE
bility for disrespect for the Federal
prohibition law is chargeable chiefly to
those Federal judges and United States
District Attorneys who are not in
sympathy with the prohibition Law.
Failure of United States District
Attorneys to use the power given them
ander the Law, the exaggerated sym
pathy for the law-breaker and the inn
posing OF sentences which are less than
license fees by the Federal Judges, are
making law enforcement in many local
ties g mockery. Experience is daily
proving that this law will not be ef-
iectively administered by officers hos
tile to 1t.
Appointments Under Control
In our Judgment the best way to
'aeck lawiessness is for the Execu-
we to call upon the people to support
Fsderal officers who wifi firmly and
eouragsousiy enforce the law. We
pledge our united support to such off,
GERS, and to mobilize public sentiment
for law and order"
ut was also made clear in the con-
ference," Mr.. Wheeler said. "that the
appointment Of those officials are large
ly controlled by United States sesa-
tors and leaders of the majority party.
This is especially important in view OF
the. many applicants for these places
under the new iudgship bin. Some of
Shese prospective appointees are not
only hostile to the law, but members
Ok the Association Against the Prohibi-
ton Amendment, pledged TO repeal the
national prohibition act to enforce the
Eighteenth Amendment and thus nulli-
%y It,"
In his letter OF instruction to Dis
Iiee Attorneys Attorney General
Daugherty said:
You are requested TO give immedi-
ate attention to the condition of the
enforcement of prohibition laws in
sour district, to analyze it's p1 ohlems,
examine the condition Of your
docket In respect thereto and to report
20 ths department any suggestions you
may have to make enforcement more
effective
Early Trisls Demanded
Il urge upon you the necessity Of
adopting every means for clearing the
docket and pushing prohibition cases
20 aa early trial.
Where possible and to whatever ex-
sent you can with propriety do SO, we
qeelre that you urge the court TO give
mere severe sentences to violstors OF
the liquor laws
Your attention is invited to the IN
Maction features of the national pro-
a. amoaacn act: Nuisance proceedings
nave been found to be an effective
means Of control, and more frequent
resort to them is desired. This de.
partment Is ready, as it always has
eeen, to assist you by furnishing forms
of briefs of authorities for instituting
Eais practice in your district.
We are sending to United States
attorneys in districts where brew
cries are located criminal informations
aad bills for injunction for proceed
lEgs against individuals and companies
anlawfuily manufacturing cereal bey-
erages. We desire that these be fled
and tried promptly. The need for this
especially apparent in injunction
proceedings. as the court may be re-
qctant to grant restraining orders IL
ne evidence shows the nuisance TO
led.
hereyer there is an adequate
local prohibition law endeavor by
very means aS your command to stim-
lats enforcement of it by local Off
srs- Seek to establish, SO far as your
eHice can, a spirit of cooperation he
Ween State and Federal enforcement
geheles to the end that each may dis
haTge It's just proportion of the OBJ
cation of enforcement.
believing that violation of ene
~ tends to disrepect of other laws,
asss suggestions regarding your pro-
1so.tion cases are made to you as a
aeans of carrying out the policy re-
a.edly indicated in correspondence
ron ron this department of rigidly and
Saitornaly enforcing all laws