The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1923-01-26
Pledges Aid to Officials In
Fight Against Liquor
Al. CERMAK, WET LEADER
VOTES FOR DRY LAW AID
Believes Strict Enforcement Will
Bring Modification
WILL STATES ATTORNEY AND
SHERIFF ACT?

i HC tOOh todnAy bOdlu vi Noih-
missioners on January p went ON rec
ord in favor of enforcing the Prohi-
bition laws \ resolution introduced
by Commissioner Charles S. Peterson,
pledging the help of the board to
county officials for Prohibition en-
forcement, was passed unanimously.
The resolution reads as follows:
Whereas, our attention has been
called to the increasing ravages being
made in our county through the illicit
manufacture and sale OF "moonshne"
liquors, and
Whereas, we, the Board OF Commits
sioners OF Cook county, being desirous
that the laws of our state and nation
be obeyed and that this great menace
to the health and morals of our people
be eradicated, and
Law Enforcement Function OF County
Whereas, we consider one of the
principal functions Of every county
government is the protection OF So
cety, the enforcement Of law and the
punishment OF crime, and
Whereas, the law OF this state makes
it obligatory upon this Board OF Com
missioners ito lend every possible as
sistancc TO the states attorney, sheriff
and other officials" in the enforcement
OF the law OF the state prohibiting
Illicit traffic in Intoxicating liquors;
Therefore, be it resolved, That we
the Board OF Commissioners of Cook
county are ready and wiling al any
and all times to lend the law cnforc
ing officials OF this county our support
in the enforcement of the law.
Cermak Explains His Vote
In explaining his vote for the reso-
luton A. J. Cermak, president of the
Board, who has been the wet leader in
Illinois for many years, said:
81 was never against enforcement
of the Prohibition law, but, on the
other hand, | have always been in ia
vor OF its strict enforcement, for the
reason that | believe in modification
of the Prohibition law. 1t is my opin-
ion that we can obtain this modifica
tion-in other words, light wines and
beer-more quickly if the laws as they
stand are rigidly enforced"
While the resolution provides no
funds for waging war on illicit liquor,
the mere fact that the Board has gone
on record as pledging support to Off
cials who enforce the dry laws opens
the way for the sheriff, the states at
torney, or the coroner to ask for fnan-
cial support in furtherance OF an active
campaign.
Enforcement Pays Other Counties
In numerous down state counties
the county boards have appropriated
funds for use by the states attorney
and sheriff in prosecuting liquor law
violations. Almost invariably the
money so appropriated is returned to
the county treasury in the form OF
fines and penalties paid by violators.
Reports from states attorneys COM
piled in the American Issue some time
ago indicated that for every dollar ap-
propriated for enforcement $500 were
returned to the treasury.
Now Up to States Attorney
With money available through ap-
preparations the states attorney and
sheriff of Cook county could employ
the assistance necessary to enforce
Prohibition in Chicago and through
out the county. The action of the
county board puts the question of en-
forcement up to the states attorney
of Cook county. The section of the
Illinois Prohibition act under which
the County Board pledged its support
to Prohibition reads as follows:
1t shall be the duty of all County
Boards, and the Board of Com
missioners of Cook county to