The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-12-19
Conditions in Alabama as Good as Could Be Expected, Governor Told President at White House Conference on Enforcement of VoIstead Act
MORE OFFICERS NEEDED, STATE EXECUTIVE SAYS
All Officials Agree That Con- dition Is Serious and More Effective Cooperation Be- tween State and Federal Officials Is Now Needed
WASHINGTON BUREAU
 THE AGE-HERALD Washington. D. C.. Dec. IS

Thomas E. Kilby, governor of Alabama, told Warren c. Harding, President of the United States, to- day that for adequate enforcement of the prohibition laws in Alabama, more federal officers and more fed eral money were necessary.
 The governor gave it as his opin- ion that Alabama was doing it's part in the matter of enforcement. In view of lack of federal officers and men, conditions in Alabama were as good as could be expected, the governor said, and added, it is understood, es good as conditions in any other state.
 The governor presented to the President statistics furnished him by Alabama authorities today of the number of men serving sen- tences for violations of the prohi- bition laws, but was unable to fur nish figures relating to those in the penitentiary for distilling.
 Meeting Confidential
 Following the meeting with the President Governor Ki1by declined to discuss with this correspondent what mad taken place. lie deciareu the President had requested that gover- nors regard the meeting as ctnfiden- fial and that he felt impelled to act accordingly. From another source. however, it is learned that Governor Kilby made no attempt to deceive the President as to conditions, and that he told the story just as he knew it to be, In fact. it is learned that Governor Nilbys attitude was the at titude of all the governors. No at tempt was made to brush away with a gesture the fact that the laws are violated in all the states, it is said. The discussion was reported to have been frank and for that reason, to have pleased the President
 It is said that the President and the governors agreed that the problem is serious. and that to solve 1t a more perfect alliance between the states and the federal government was necessary.
 Governor Kilby was accompanied to Washington by Mrs. Kflby. They left tonight for Montgomery.
 FOURTEEN GOVERNORS
 PRESENT AT MEETING
 By Associated Press
 WASHINGTON. Dec. 1S.--Prc blems of prohibition enforcement were dis cussed informally today at a White House conference between President Harding, the federal departmental chiefs directly interested in the sub ject, and governors of 14 states.
 There was no statement from the White House as to the results of the meeting, but 1t was indicated that the discussion n reyolved almost en- tirely on the question of how the sev- eral states could best cooperate with reI I1 the terms of the prohibition amend ment. It was indicated that another meeting of state executives might be called early next year, at which time the subject would be canvassed more thoroughly.
 At the White House luncheon dur ing the course of which the view of the guests was sought on prohibition. we're in addition to the Presidents Vice President Coolidge, Attorney General Daugherty. Secretary Mellon.- Prohibition Commissioner Haynes. Governors Kilby of Alabama: Ritchie of Maryland Trinkle of Virginia {. IIortness of Vermont; McCray of In diana: Cox of Massachusetts; Hyde of Missouri; Prejuss of Minnesota; Ol- colt Of Oregon; Allen of Kansas Mor- gan of West Virginia; McKelvie of Nebraska: Davis of Idaho, and Camp bell of Arizona.
 Tn many cases" Commissioner Haynes declared after the meeting. "the reports of the governors were of an encouraging nature. Numerous in- stances Jf lack of cooperation were pointed out; many instances of the inadequacy of federal forces were suggested.
 There was a preponderance of opinion that an earnest appeal for observance of the law and a cordial support of law enforcement by the press would combine to cure the worst conditions reportedr