The Topeka state journal., 1922-12-18
'1Lid Tilting" Is Subject of Con-
ference at White House.
Governors of Fifteen States Re-
spOnd to Harding Call.
AGENCIES MUST TIGHTEN UP
Present Laxity Is Blamed to a
Lack of Cooperation.
Governor Allen Says PrOhibi-
tiOn Is Aid to Prosperity.

Washington, Dec. 1S.-Responding
to an invitation from the president
governors of fifteen states came TO
Washington today for a conference
with Mr.. Harding at the White House
on ways and means for more effect
lively clamping down the prohlbltlon
enforcement lid.
The governors came here fresh from
their three day conference at White
Sulphur Springs, where in rather in
formal manner, the same problems
We're discussed.
Cognizant that the present system
of enforcement has not brought about
- highest desirable results antici-
few words in making it quite plain to
the governors that hereafter dry
agents, federal or state, must unite in
closest cooperation to combat liquor.
point out. can the national scandal
of prohibition laxity, stressed in his
message to congress, be dealt with.
Enforcement Is Issue.
The question of the propriety or the
expediency of the dry law is not an
issue in this conference President
Harding now is only concerned with
effective enforcement. At the outset
he will make this clear to the COVER
nors.
While President Harding does not
feel that any specific agency or in
parent Iet-down in the dry campaign,
he is reported as being of the opinion
that the laXity reported to him from
many sections of the nation, has been
due in no small degree to lack OF
proper and harmonious cooperation
between the regularly constituted pro-
hibition units, state as well as ma
tionaI.
Because of the magnitude and scope
of the work, it is believed he will bring
in, a NnnfaTPncP that n WRl-nl2h n
hopeless task for the federal agencies
to tighen up the lines without earnest
and active assistance from the states.
On these grounds, he will appeal to
the governors for aid, believing the
state units are vital and essential
part of the general prohibition ma
chinery.
Must Reach Public-AIIen.
Closer cooperation between state
and federal governments in enforcing
the prohibition laws is not alone suf-
ffcfent to clamp down the dry lid thru
out the country, GOr. Henry j. Allen,
of Kansas, here to attend President
Fard1ng's prohibition conference, de-
cIa-ed today.
In addition, Governor Allen said the
public must be made to realize prohi-
bition enforcement VIII mean greater
economic prosperity. individually and
nationally"
prohibition is no longer a moral or
a question of economies; it will mean
greater wealth to the country and to
the Individual. When enforcement be-
comes more effective. bank savings
will increase, business will experience
u greater revival and. all in all. the
trade and commerce of the nation will
be placed upon a st2Adier, mole eff
cient basis"
Other governors echoed. Aliens
views, disparaging reports that laXity
or ineffectiveness of prohibition en-
| forcement would mean a general
breakdown of the dry law all along
| the line.
Davis Ready To Act.
Governor Devis, of Idaho, declared
/ he stood ready to throw full strength
/ of his state behind the government
new drive against liquor.
The following were President Hard
| ing's guests at luncheon: Vice Presi-
dent Coolidge, Secretary of the Treas
/ ury Mellon. Attorney General Daugh
| erty, Prohibition Commissioner Hayne,
| and Governors Denny of Delaware
/ Cox of Massa chusetts, Ritchie OF
/ Maryland. Trinkis of Virginia, Hart
ness of Vermont, McCray oe Indiana
/ Kilby Of Alabama. Hyde of Missouri
/ Preus of Minnesota, Olcott of oregon
Allen of Kansas, Morgan of West Nir
| ginia. McKelvie of Nebraska, Davis o.
/ Idaho, Campbell of Arizona, and for
mer Governor Townsend of Delaware