New Britain herald., 1925-12-04
United Committee For Prohibition Enforce ment Makes Public Its Urge For PapaI Backing.
In Meantime Congress Prepares for "Wet-Dry' Battle-Repeal of Vol- stead Act to Be Asked.


 Washington, Dec. R,-An ap. peal to Pope Plus XI, for moral support of civil authority" in the united States, was made public to- day by the united committee for prohibition enforcement made up Of a number of Catholic and Pro testant reform organizations.
 Refers to K. K. K.
 In letter 10 the Vatican. the chairman of the committee, Clinton N. Howard referred both to pro hibition and to the Ku klux Klan. He said the appeal had been "au- thorized and approved" by the com mttee, which yesterday sent to the White House communication di- rectly appealing to President Cool, idge for better prohibition enforce ment.
 The letter addressed to Popr Plus declared there had been many evidences of the Pondff's apprecia- ton of American idealism. Mir. Howard continued that "as a friend or Catholics he desired to call at tention to the attitude of "so many catholics toward prohibition. This attitude, he said, has created q great deal of opposition to the Catholic church, and did much Co call into existence the Ku Klux klan.'
 Text Of Letter. The text of the letter follows: "on many occasions report has reached the American people Of you appreciation of their idealism. Tn, recent statement of your holiness | that America had written an .epic of charity in her generosity to th, distressed nations Of Europe. and in, eminent services Of our holiness and your tllustrious predecessors in tn, cause of world peace. especially your recent proclamation of the kingship of Christ over all nations. as the rightful sovereign ruler of the world, evoke sympathetic response from the Christian spirit that dom. mates the American heart and con science.
 With a confidence born of our belief that you understand our as plrations as people, I am presum- ing to address your holiness in the name Of thousands of Americans on a matter which I believe concerns both the church over which you pre- side so well. and the country which we love.
 Our people. wishing to be sober nation, have put into their fundamental law a decree forbidding the manufacture, sale and distribu- | tion of intoxicants used for beverage purposes. This prohibition termed the 18th amendment to our constitu- tion, makes ample provision for sac ramental wines; and the American people are determined that this legis Iation ratified by 46 out of our 4S states, and inaugurated for the wei fare Of present and future genera | tons, shall not be nullifed.
 AS friend of Catholics, as well as spokesman of many patriotic citi- zens, l am filled with deep regret ir bringing to the attention of your holiness the fact that the seeming in differences If not opposition, on the part of so many Catholics to the en- forcement of our prohibition law created a great deal of opposition to the Catholic church, and did much to call into existence the Ku K1ux klan.
 The problem o' enforcing our prohibition law. which is of supreme importance to the citizens Of Amer ica, is aggravated by our having large racial elements from many countries. President Coolidge, truly Christian man. has in unmIs- takahle terms condemned organize lions committee to intolerance. He has frequently urged upon all good citizens their duty to observe our laws, and upon all public officials that Of law enforcement.
 Tt seems tc many Of us that such appeals should meet with more responses from Catholic leaders than have been manifest cd thus far.
 The great body Of American citizens has always respected the Catholic church as the unfllnchine advocate of every home virtue. as well as public duty; and one word from Your Holiness. reiicrating what was felt as the Catho- lie position Of respect for civil au- thority in accordance with the Holy Scriptures. that all authority is of God. would be a large con tribution to the moral welfare and progress of our republic"
 ''This communication was au- ] thorized and approved by the United committee at its annual meeting held in Washington. D. c, on December 1, 2 and s, 1925.
 Your humble servant
 Clinton N. Howard. Chairman Of the united