Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-11-04
Editors Letter Box
Where the Money Goes
Food for Thought
kenDebec Journal:

kennebec journal:
There is one prohibition agent to
every three hundred square miles
throughout the United States. How
/ far can an agent get, or prohibition
. enforcement with this limited super
vision? And yet there Is constant
! and continued complaint because Of
, the delay of immediate action when
reports are sent in of Illicit stills,
bootlegging, sales and other intrac-
tons.
+: The writer is just returning from
two months in the states Of Nir-
/ ginia and Missouri where the state
ment Is general that there is not so
much interest expressed in the Presi-
dental election as there is in local
conditions. bond issues for roads,
schools, and public institutions.
1t Is surprising how few people,
even among public officials, business
men and women, educators and the
clergy, know what disposition Is
made Of fines and torfeitures in pro-
hibiticn cases in the various courts.
Namely as follows:
All fines and forfeitures collected
in Federal courts in prohibition cases.
and all criminal cases for that mat
ter, are converted into the United
't't'S u IS-
ceipts.
| All fines and forfeitures collected
In the state courts (go either directly
or indirectly into the State treasury.
general fund.
/ All fines and fOrfeitures collecte ed
! for violations in any city where con-
! victed in police courts go into the
city treasury, but if tried in u police
court for violations of a state statute,
in that event the fines also go into
| the state treasury.
This is the law in practically every
| portion of the United States. The
I point is-where cases are tried by To-
! cal police courts the money accruing
therefrom may he used for the benefit
of the community. road improve
/ ments. schools, parks, libraries, etc.
! This has been done in many places.
When 1t comes to the enforce
ment of the Eighteenth Amendment
it is not Let George do it. but rath =
err Let Uncle Sam do it. The mea rs
to the end is plain. Take care Of To-
cal conditions and reap the benefits.
BE an one hundred per cent. Amer
lean citizen. Patriotism means more
than salutins the flag or standing
during the strains of the "Star Span
gled Banner" The Eighteenth
Amendment was written into the
constitution by the greatest majority
/ of any of the nineteen amendments
and 1t is only disoyal citizen who
will not support the constitution Of
the United States.
Uncle Sam should not be expecte ed
! to ut on the garb Of a policeman and
clean up the private door yards of
the people. The Federal force. with
only one man to three hundred
square miles has more than enough
to do to take care of the smuggling
along the coast and borders and con
troll the sources of supply within the
| United States.
Note-and vote Dry. Elect law-lov-
| ing. law abiding. conscientious can
didates to Office and then stand back
of them. support and encourage them.
| Insist on a clean administration. a
law abiding community. n fit place
fer the children. a sane and safe
place to establish a home. Relieve
Uncle Sam from police patrol and
watch your communicated your
bank account grow.
GEORGIA HOPLEY.
eth & b Streets S. w.
Washington, d. C.,
October 29. 1924.