Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1922-01-20
CITIZENS DISCUSS
LIQUOR SITUATION
HELD HERE TO ASK
OFFICIALS FOR MORE BE- .
FECTIVE ENFORCEMENT

About two score and ten citizens Of
Little Falls assembled at the F. A.
Nelson photo studio Tuesday evening
to discuss the local situation as re-
garding the enforcement of the pro-
,hibition laws. Several talks were made
on the subject and the conditions
number Of citizens. The gathering
included Mayor Berghein, City Attor
ney Vernon, County Attorney Gamer
on, Municipal Judge Gerritz, several
pastors, and others.
F. A. Nelson presided and explained
the purpose Of the meeting, namely to
bring about a more effective enforce
ment of the prohibition laws in, this
city. He held that there have| been
frequent infractions of the liquor laws
which have passed unnoticed by the
authorities and that apparently very
little effort has been made to appre-
hend violators.
Mayor Bergheim was given an op-
portunity to defend himself and diff
fered very much with Mr.. Nelson, he
stating that he has endeayored to en-
force the laws and that the police de-
partment has done all in its power
along this line. He pointed out that
the local police had made 19 arrests
for such violations independent Of
codnty. authorities or federal prohibi-
tion enforcement agents. He demand
ed that persons complaining of condi-
tions here furnish proof of Violations,
whereupon prosecution would be made.
City Attorney Vernon spoke briefly
on the subject and County Attorney
Cameron talked on it from the stand
point of the prosecuting attorney.
He said that any one who has knew
ledge of violations Of the prohi
laws has the right to aid the officials
by disclosing what they know about
it. H pointed out that II is hard to
got al ,Au1atiOna vi ILL.,, natti2c as II
is difficult to get witnesses for prose-
cution under the state or federal stat
utes and that consequently it is best
to deal with such cases under the city
ordinances, whereby the ofenses can
be classed as misdemeanors. In this
connection, he also remarked that in
all cases of strictly statutory otenses,
not involving anything criminal, it is
difficult to secure conviction by jury
when the punishment is too severe.
The abominable thing about the liquor
question, he said, is the traffic. N it.
due in large measure, to the Jaw not
differentiating between the person
making IL for his OWE. use and the one
making it for sale.
Municipal Judge Gerritz was present
tps he did not speak Of Ike matter.
There were some heated remarks
about where the responsibility for en-
forcement lies, this discussion \ being
confined largely to the mayor and Mr.
Nelson. There was also some differ
ence of opinion among others as to the
conditions here, but several of the
prominent citizens, including DR.. E. w.
Kaliher, supt. f. B. Bergquist and
some of the pastors, stated that IN
their opinion the situation is not bad
here, they remarking that they had
seen very little evidence Of the dis
pensing of liquor in this city. The
meeting ended with general good
feeling between all, however, and no
doubt resulted in better understand
ing among all and will tend to bring
about better cooperation between Cit
izens and officials in maintaining law
and order. Attention was called to the
proclamation by Gov. Preus desigpat-
ing next Sunday as Law and Order
| Sunday in this state and several pas
tors present stated that the day would
be observed in their churches.