Evening star., 1923-11-03

The conference Of state executives at
West Baden. which ended with hurry
up trip to Washington. where, after
listening to addresses by President
Coolidge and three departmental heads,
resolutions were adopted pledging en-
forcement Of all law-especially the pro-
hibition ensctment--after all accom-
plished very little. in the opinion of the
majority OF editors. All agree that the
various addresses and resolutions made
excellent reading. But behind the en-
tire camoufage was the matter of who
must shoulder responsibility for rigid.
enforcement of the Eolstead act, and
many critics, friendly and unfriendly,
see q general passing of the buck back
and forth"
Enforce all laws Is catchy phrase"
the Brooklyn Eagle admits, 'but SO far
as the White House conference is con-
cerned it is an empty one" while the
Phila delphia Bulletin. agreeing there is
full agreement in principle between the
President and the governors. asks but
what more was there TO be Saidf It
Is not probable that absolute drought
can be enforced throughout the
country by means Of the prohibition
law. But no one doubts that by reason
able concert of effort between state
and federal authorities f1agrant defiance
Of the law can be banished and Illicit
traffic driven to cover" Anyhow. the
governors conference, as gathering
designed to aid the states, has failed,
in the opinion Of the Chicago Daily
instead of delivering inspiration
speeches at their annual conferences, or
passing vague resolutions, should study
carefully the vital matters that admit
i 4@;y to,,
and bring to their meetings definite
plans and constructive suggestions"
+ x * u
To get results along prohibition
lines the Kansas City Journal in
sists there must be complete CO.
operation, because ''the states are
morally and legally obligated to
work In harmony and with all vigor
to fulfil the dual obligation. as SOW
ereign states and as members of the
Union, The same obligation rests
upon the national government.
Neither can or should seek to evade
that obligation 1t Is. however. the
if it should be emphasized that no
public official has any option with
respect to prohibition enforcement
the subject will naturally fade out
Of the political horizon save as an
attempt will be made by further
constitutional amendments to change
the law banning traffic in intoxicat-
ina beverages" This is in q measure
the opinion of the Springfield Re-
publican, but the latter insists sur
render to an organized and persuasive
effort to make law Ineffective would
be a weakness menacing to all law
and would promote the instability OF
the government itself. The prohibi-
tion Issue is rapidly taking this form.
organized, 1t is bold, open and de-
liant. Is 1t possible to surrender TO
than those charged against prohibf-
tion by It's enemies? No surrender
to lawlessness when 1t is most ag-
sressive and brazen--let that be the
will of the people and no one need
fear for the republic" The New YORK
evening World argues on that line
that "a majority OF the people OF New
york do not believe the Volstead act
fairly carries out the intent OF the
prohibition amendment. Is 1t sounder
national policy to trample on the
wishes of the people OF New YORK
and millions like them In other states
than to admit that the Votstead act
may. and should be, modihed?
tba Volstead act, one-half of 1 Per
cant and all, did not enter into the
conSerence scheme" the Newark Eve
nine News is convinced. THE sole
fhnupht appears to have been a stiff
ening OF prohibition 'as is,' as if the
FORM In which 1t Is cast under the
\ act we're of itself sacrosanct and bind
ing for all time. It ignores entirely
the fact that millions of Americans