Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1923-10-04
WANTS HELP FOR
DRY F0RCEMENT
GOVERNMENT WILL SEEK CLOSER
RELATIONS WITH LOCAL
AUTHORITIES.
DIsREsPECT OF LAW GROWS
Tendency to Leave the Work to Fed
eraE Agencies Dsturbs Washington,
Which says While Statute Stands It
Must Be Enforced.
~ EDWARD. B. CLARK


Washington Of coming attempt to
bring into closer relations the law
enforcing instrumentalities Of the fed
eraI government with those of the
states and the municipalities in an
endeayor to make the country live
up to the provisions of the Volstead
law.
There are all sorts of views upon
the righteousness, If that be the word
to use, of a law which is intended to
control a mans personal desires in
the way Of alcoholic indulgence, but
the federal authorities say the law is
the law and that they would be dere-
lict in their duty if they did not at
tempt to secure cooperation in the
work of seeing that the law is obeyed.
Recent legislation in New York and
In some other states has made it APP
pear that some sections Of the coun-
try are not anxious that their local
authorities shall work with the federal
authorities in prohibition laW-enforce-
ment. It is incumbent, however, on
all law officers wherever their work
may be to aid in enforcement Of fed
eral law, although according to one
viewpoint these officers are not ex-
pected to go out of their way to look
for violations, but only to attempt to
check them when they come under
their immediate sight.
Enforce 1t While It's the Law.
1t is evident in Washington that the
authorities are greatly disturbed over
the tendency here, there and else
where to regard the prohibition law
as one which it is entirely proper to
violate. Whatever the viewpoint Of
the individual American is on the sub
ject, it is certain that the United
States intends to make supreme eff
fort to make the law respected. The
feeling is that il congress chooses to
act later to change the law fixing the
legal alcoholic content of drink it may
do so If it will, but that SO long as
the law is the law it must be enforced.
This does not mean at all that the au-
thorities think that the majority of
federal officers have not tried to en-
force the law which is being violated
almost openly.
Recently Attorney General Daugher-
ty submitted to President Coolidge a
full report concerning the work of the
federal judiciary In its efforts to en-
force prohibition since the enactment
of the Volstead law, nearly three and
one-half years ago. Some persons have
found something almost like despair
in the tone of the attorney generals
report, but to those who know him
the note does not sound so much like
one Of despair ais it does like one of
indignation because certain elements in
communities which usually can be de-
pended upon to be law-obeying are
shown in prohibition matters to be. al
most eagerly law-disobeying.
Sordid Story, Says Daugherty.
A synopsis of the report which the
attorney general made to the Presi-
dent has been made public. 1t says
among other things that the Depart
ment Of Justice has been called upon
to prosecute member Of the judiciary,
prominent members of the American
bar, and high officers Of the federal
and state government who were will
ing to violate a law of the land in or
der to satisfy their appetite for drink
Further, the synopsis of the report
says that the whole record of Iaw-vio-
lations and attempts at violation makes
sordid story of aSsassinationS, brib-
cry and corruption.
The apparent desire of the federal
government today is to arouse to ac-
ton the masses of Americans who be-
lieve in reinforcement even If the
laws which are to be enforced forbid
some things which they think 1t is
well within their rights to do. In 9TH
er words, the authorities seem to think
that fair-minded Americans once
aroused will insist on law-enforcement
even if they don't like the law, and
will be willing to await the day when
they can get the law changed.
1t is possible that an attempt will
be made next winter in congress to
secure a change in the Volstead law.
It can be said, however, that the advo-
Gates Of the present law declare a
great majority in the next house is
opposed to any change in the statute.
The only change that can be made, Of
course, Is one which will fix the legal
alcoholic content of drink at a higher
percentage. AS things are, however,
seemingly more intensive effort is to
be made to enforce the law and to this
end the federal government, it is said,
will seek closer relations with state
and local authorities.
Politicians Are Busy.
Washington is becoming a center OF
political activities. Democrats and
Republicans have felt the spur of the
cooler weather and there is manifest
today in this capital city that politi-
cal liveliness which always precedas
the national conventions.
1t is true that President Coolidge
has more than intimated in one or two
letters which he has written that he
does not approve entirely of open or