The Washington times., 1923-06-25

relations with foreign govern
ments, to the proposal for a uni
form statute of marriage and di-
Vorce.
There have always been those
who insisted that particular poll
cies could not be carried out be-
cause of the conflict of jurisdic-
tons; but experience has proved
that whenever given issue be-
came so acute that evasion was
impossible, procedures have been
devised for dealing with it. Who
ever will go back to the debates
over the enactment of the anti
trust law, or the discussions OF
the interstate commerce measures,
must recognize that these were but
varying phases of the same gen.
eral question that comes before US
in connection with the enforce
ment of the prohibition law.
A good deal of useful accom-
plishment toward uniformity and
Qualification of State and national
laws has been effected through the
efforts of the American Bar As
ISOLATION. This, of course, has
been an unofficial effort-a labor
of love and patriotism, conducted
by men especially qualified for its
direction. It has seemed possible
that something rather more formal
and official might be evolved from
these beginnings, which should
help in perfecting the co-ordina-
ton. President Roosevelt recog-
nized this possibility when he
called a council of governors to
consider problems then demanding
harmonious and uniform treat
ment Under the present Admins
tration a similar course has been
adopted I'M Bringing together the
State executives for considerations
ion of methods to give full force
and effect to the concurrent au-
thority of States and nation under
the Eighteenth. Amendment.
Dry Law New Factor.
We have dealt upon the same
general principle in fixing a. pro-
gram for the utilization of the
waters of the Colorado river. In.
deed I have thought these con-
ferences contained the germ of an
idea which may some day grow
into a useful auxiliary to our
council of coordination, repre-.
senting State and national Gov.
ernments; authorized to examine
into particular needs in this area,
to devise projects to co-ordinated
action, and to propose them for
mally to the Congress and the
legislatures. Without possessing
any powers of legislation or of
1Ja% TT l. II u.
might render an advisory service
which, If made permanent and
continuing, would conceivably be
of great advantage.
But for the present there are i'm
mediate problems before us which
can not await the possible crea-
ton of any such slow moving
mechanism of philosophic consid-
GRAFTON. The prohibition amend
ment to the Constitution is the
basic law of the land. The Vol
stead act has been passed, pro-
viding a code Of enforcement. I
am convinced that they are a
small, and a greatly mistaken,
minority who believe the Eighteenth
amendment will ever be repealed.
Details of enforcement policy
doubtless will be changed as ex-
perience dictates. Further, 1 am
convinced that whatever changes
may be made will represent the
sincere purpose of effective en-
Of the general policy. It will be
forcement. rather than moderation
the part of wisdom to recognize
the facts as they stand.
Some States Lax.
The general policy of the States
to support the prohibition pro-
gram, and to cooperate with the
Federal Government regarding it,
is attested by the fact that almost
unanimously the States have
passed enforcement laws Of their
own. A difficulty, however, arises