Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-02-09

cate other features which they de-
clare datriment. Among the latter
is tho killing OF tho Deal Search and
Seizure" act and the automobile
ownership act. dubbed by Senator
Mapp as the greatest stumbling
block to prohibition law enforcement.
In Virginia"
Being one of those most vitally Rf-
fected BY the new law. Attorney
General John r. Saunders was pres
ont to discuss tho bill with the COM
mittee. He declared that the en-
forcement by his department was en-
tirely unsought and was a duty he
to assume tho responsibilities IL they
arc put upon him. but demanded the
right to name tho man who would
be responsible to him for the en-
foreemcnt OF the law.
we will hold you accountants"
said Senator Mapp. but we don't
propose to put any shackles on you"
Maximum Salaries Inadvisable.
At this point Senator j. Frank
Sergeant. of Scott. wanted to know
II 1t wasn't possible to put II maxi
mum on the salaries TO be paid Of
ncials under the Attorney-General.
to which Senator Mapp reiterated
that II would not be advisable to
shackle tho Attorney General ut any
point. Ho stated. however. that he
hoped something could be done to
give the Attorney General an in
Ia, - sal<
additional burden placed upon his
shoulders.
Senator Epes then proposed bar
ring former prohibition commission
ers from appointment by the Attor-
ney-General as his assistants. He
declared that such an appointment
would give the law a black ego and
would greatly hamper 1t In becom-
Ing popular in tho State.
The Attorney General said he had
no comment to make. but did not
think the committee would make
such an amendment. He said that
neither OF the former commissioners.
DR.. J. Sidney Peters and Harry IL.
Smith. had approached him. or that
either will do SO. He again demand
ed that his hands be left united.
This amendment. II adopted. would
brand two men By putting the stamp
OF public disapprovaI upon them"
said Senator Mapp. I'VE all want
TO win public sentiment to law en-
forcement. but not to the extent OF
an Injustice"
The committee was emphatic for
that section OF the new bill which
practically wipes out the Deal Search
and Seizure" act. The right to stop
and search automobiles without war
rant was declared the cruz OF tho
situation. II was agreed that the
penalty on search OF private dwell
tngs. occupied bcrths OF drawing
rooms on Pullman cars and state
rooms on steamships. be retained.
Consider Auto situation.
How to prevent ahuses OF the law
which permits an innocent owner to
claim an automobile seized by the
prohibition officers. was considered.
Tho committee will proably recon-
mend that ownership must be proved
by recordation M acquired by the
Office of the Secretary OF the Com
monwenlth. while the person using
the automobile illegally where the
owner was found TO be innocent OF
the uses to which II, was put, would
be required to pay, the value OF the
car to the State or to serve out its
equivalent on the roads.
The section banning suspension of
sentences In case of liquor violations
brought considerable debate. "Tom"
Whitehead. general counsel for the
prohibition department, declared that
the law should stand as Il IT, The
suspension OF scntence Is not detri-
mental 10 enforcement OF tho law. he
commended. and showed TINT In 1920
there were $50 suspensions to 3.5o0
convictions. Rev. David A. Hepburn.
superintendent OF the Anti-SnIoon
League OF Virginia. took the oppo-
site View, and It Is believed the com
mittee Will stick to the bill as drawn.
inc suggestion was made that
buyers OF liquor be put In the same
catagory as sellers. Senator Mnpp
seemed to favor its inclusion In the
bill. but said that no other State had
taken such drastic step. Delegate
samuel l.. Adams, OF South Boston.
spoke In favor OF such law, stating
mat II had been advocated by a con-
vention OF Baptists in his district
during the summer. Action on this
was deferred until today.
Leaders of both sides want or,cL
action on the bill before the com.
mittee and Il will be either renortea
today or tomorrow. Senator Mapp. an
nounced.
. {.