The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1923-10-17
Coolidge to
Let States
Rum
Will See That Uncle Sam
Stops Smuggling and Checks
Withdrawals From
Warehouses. :.
May Shift Enforcement.
BY Universal Service.

Washington. Oct. 16.-Presldent
Coolidge let 1t be known today that
he had no idea of personally taking
charge of dry law enforcement and
that the various states will be called
upon to bear their share Of the bur-
den.
This was the Administrations reply
10 Governor Pinchot Of Pennsylvania,
who, at the citizenship conference
just closed. charged the federal gov
ernment with responsibility for laxity
in enforcement and said that there is
an emergency which justifies the
president taking the wheel.
Late today Mr.. Coolidge called into
conference Secretary of the Treasury
Mellon, Assistant Secretary Moss and
Collector OF Revenue Glaee. These
three are responsible for the func-
tions Of the prohibition unit. They
discussed for nearly an hour the pro-
gram which President Coolidge will
submit to state governors in session
here Saturday.
Z. s. to Act on Smuggling.
"The states will be called upon to
look after the hippocket cases. The
federal government VIII check leaks
falcohol and Withdrawals an dstop
smuggling. This is the program in a
nutshell" a spokesman for the con-
ferees said.
1t was emphasized at the White
House that the president could not
take personal charge OF dry law en-
frocement under the law. even il other
matters permitted him TO devote the
time to 1t. A special bureau is set
up for the purpose and this is ac-
countable to the collector OF revenue
and in turn, through the secretary Of
the treasury TO the president. it was
stated.
The treasury officials told the presi-
dent that enforcement of the dry law
should be vested with the Department
Of Justice, II was stated. Secretary
Mellon, in particular. feels that this
should be done as soon as possible,
because Of the fact that the Justice
department is in charge Of prosecu-
tons.
1t was pointed out. however. that
this plan is collected In a depart
mental reorganization committee re-
port which is to be submitted to con-
gress and the transfer cannot be made
until that time.
States to Aid u. 8.
For temporary purposes. however.
II was learned that the presidents
plan for law enforcement calls for
the states giving much greater assist
ance to the federal government than
now is being done.
II was pointed out that the dry act
gives the states concurrent powers
with the federal government. but that
instead OF employing this power. the
majority have shifted the burden TO
the United States. This has resulted
in such congestion of courts that dry
law violators cannot be brought 10
trial while violators released on bond
continue TO play their trade. il was
said.
The president will urge that when
city, county. or state officers make ar
rests. the cases be brought to trial
under the laws Of the state, instead OF
in the federal court. IL was said. They
will also be urged TO make arrests in
stead OF relying on the handful OF
federal agents to do So
For the federal government he will
promise that all the available agencies
will be employed to prevent SNUG
Cling and the withdrawal Of liquor in
quantities from warehouses. In do
ing this he will ask the treasury 10
use the coast guard service. customs
service and internal revenue agents on
larger scale than II now being done.