The New York herald., 1922-11-25
PRESIDENT BELIEVES
. DRY LAW IS NPERIL
|. OF UTTER COLLAPSE
Would Rally People of Ma
ton Back to Respect
for Statutes.
WILL ASK NO CHANGES
Despite Crisis, He Will Not
Even Urge Relief for
Foreign Ships.
SOLE TOPIC IN CABINET
Whole Session Given Over to
Discussion of Existing
Situation.
SOLE TOPIC IN CABINET
Special Dispatch to THE NEW YORK HEnLs-
New York Herald Bureau,
Va

Special Dispatch to THE NEW YORK HEsALs-
New York Herald Bureau,
Washington. ID. G., Nov. "a
Peril of a complete breakdown OF
liquor law enforcement, bringing with
1t contempt for all law and, graver
still, lack of full measured respect
for American institutions, is giving
grave concern to President Harding
and other Administration leaders.
The entire Cabinet session to-day
was given TO consideration of the
failure to make the country meas
urably dry. After long consideration
the Cabinet concluded that the peo-
pie were to be held accountable for
the failure rather than the law.
An official statement to the above
effect, made after the Cabinet meet
ing, caused a sensation, as it was SO
much in contrast with official am
nouncements for months by Prohibi-
ton Commissioner Haynes.
Haynes Continues Claims.
ut it6 III CNtty
instance have claimed growing re-
spect for the law, an increased senti-
ment for law enforcement and a gen.
eral Tightening up on the liquor traffic.
Their extravaganza is indicated by
the concern felt by the President and
his official advisers.
In fact, while the Cabinet was in
session Mr.. Haynes issued series OF
official announcements quoting State
directors as showing vast improve
ment In law enforcement in nearly a
score of States.
The Cabinet discussed means or
strengthening law enforcement and
encouraging regard for the prohibition
laws and the Eighteenth Amendment.
II decided some form OF appeal TO the
people was necessary. Some Admins
tration leaders are preparing TO stig-
matize those citizens, upright In every
other way. who through indifference,
lack of understanding or otherwis
are aiding situation which threatens
evil for the country.
To Ask No Changes I'm Law.
The President is not considering any
/ change in the prohibition laws. Hs
will recommend no changes TO Cons
gress and make no suggestions re-
gardng the attempts TO be made in
Congress TO bring modification and
liberalization OF the law. He is not
the least dissatisfied with Comms-
Soner Haynes.
u s-f fut~ hao
plant 10 make OF lack OF cooperation
by other nations to prevent Snug
Cling. II is frankly stated. however,
that no great cooperation has been
brought TO the notice OF high officials.
The problem is regarded as one for
this country to solve virtually alone.
In undertaking 10 sufen the moral
| responsibilities Of the American peo-
pie Administration leaders will go after
booze holsters as we'll as bootleggers.
II had been regarded as probable
that the President would recommend
amendment OF the volstead act to per-
init foreign ships to carry liquor
stores into American ports. This seems
doubtful after the stand taken by the
/ Cabinet to-day. Not all the official
family arc ardent drys. The policy 10
be pursued has been made plain. how
ever. The Administration Is to sup
port the law as written and will not
/ offer or support any changes.
Representative Kahn (Cal) to-day
submitted 10 the House AIS petitions
/ for an amendment OF the volstead act
/ 20 permit manufacture and sale OF
4 light wines and beer The petitions
/ read. in part:
/ / believe the present radical pro-
/ hibition statutes are creating con-
J tempt for all laws. believe these
drastic laws arc creating a large
army OF bootieggers. whose Illicit
wares frequently cause serious ILL
ness, blindness and often death
The sisners declared themselves 10
bc patriotic and law abiding citizens
OF the United States