Evening star., 1926-04-09
Prohibition Can Be
Enforced by Present Law
TO the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The star:
Compa rison of our drunk stats
tics with those Of Great Britain and
Fra nee does not prove that those coun.
tries are making greater progress to-
ward Temperance" than we are. In
the absence of law, there Is no pen
atty, and 1t is reasonable to suppose
that where the manufacture and sale
Of intoxicants are permitted the laws
regulating it's use are more tolerant
than where it Is forbidden. Probably
a drunk that would pass unnoticed
over there would be classed as fa-
grant violation of our laws, hence the
percentage Of arrests would be much
greater over here, the cases being
equal
There IL nothing the matter with
our prohibition law: what we need IN q
set of officials who will see that 1t is
obeyed. This In no sweeping charge
against our chosen and paid repre-
sentatives In the matter. but it does
seem that some of them put the cart
before the horse In their efforts at law
enforcement
star set out to investigate conditions
at the District jail. His account Of
the adventure told us that he could
not md policeman In Georgetown,
though he challenged arrest by speedy
driving and a fake drunk. And so In
other sections. Where were the
guardians OF the peace and dignity of
the city that night?
Has word gone out that we are so
righteous that no police protection is
needed? Have we no bootleggers? Do
our officials know of none--none who
stand on street corners, day after day,
seemingly without occupation or Wis.
ible means of support. vet always well
2roomed. debonair. smiling? Is there
no law that calls for inquiry into sus.
picious eases?
Where there is drunkenness some.
BODY is selling whisky, and the place
TO begin reform Is at the root OF the
evil-with the bootIegger. Instead of
eniarging the Jail to furnish more
commodious and comforta BILE quarters
Tor the bootieggers' customers, our
| ofncials should go after the bootleg.
gers hard
True. that is a da nSerous thing to
40; every boOtlegger IL also a poten-
tlai murderer; push him and he will
man and lady who killed the NUM-
But surely some mea Ms can be devised
10 capture them IL those who are paid
Ior this service will go about IL with
uetefmlnation-and strategy.
III there Is no law at present to EN-.
power policemen to arrest a man on
suspicion of bootleeging one should be
enacted. and the suspect should he
heid for observation until his limo.
cehce IN proven. or until his customers
oetraN him. or he betrays himself. II
ne ~ guilty he should be sent to prison
lof iong term. There should be no
| l'he as penalty; the Official who i'm
poses one, though according to law. is
only one more of vicious circle. The
bootiegger is an outlaw and should he
! treated as such
Does ne sit at q brass bound. ma
| hogany desk and pull strings to
manipulate set of ignorant negro
| agents? Does he stink along slum.
ways and allevs, peddling poison OF
MS own make? What IN the differ.
] ence? None. BootIeggers are on a
dead level and all should fare alike
| II caught, longtime prison sentence
and nothing off for good behavior.
! Really. Judgment should begin with
! the "high.ups." How can we hope to
see the prohibition law enforced with.
out fear or favor when bootleggers
/ are so bold as to approach even mem
bers of Congress with strong drink for
! sale? Is 1t possible that there are
others besides Blease who are on such
intimate terms with the bootlegging
fraternity that they can get what
they want" even IL it is unla wful?
Women, your influence in politics
has done much; your ballots may be
made to count for more. Set your
! selves the task of clearing our legis.
latiye halls OF men land women) who
I. would compromise or side-step the
prohibition law. Whisky has already
cost this country enough in blood and
tears and ruined lives. Down with il.
! A. F.. HUTCHISON.