New Britain herald., 1926-05-22
Senator Bruce Calls Presidents Decree Outrage And Clear Attempt To Dictate Duties of State Off, cers.
C0nstitutionality of Meas ure Also Is Attacked by Some, Though Senator Walsh Thinks It Is All Right.

Washington, May 22 (P)-Not only
 opposition, but actual difficulties are
 already bobbing up in the path of | the governments latest move in the
 effort to enforce prohibition through
 greater use of local police.
 Is Roundly Scored Described by Senator Bruce, demo- crat, Maryland as a outrage" the executive order authorizing appoint ment of state, county and municipal
 police as federal prohibition agents
 was further characterized by Gov crnor Ritchie of the same state as "a clear attempt of the federal govern ment to dictate to the state what should be the duties of it's local of- fcers."
 The other side of the picture was held up by James E. Jones, director of prohibition. The purpose of the order, he said, was to bring about greater cooperation between federal and local authorities and to give the latter authority which would enable | them to ignore city, county and state lines in pursuit of persons suspected of violating the prohibition laws.
 New York's Position Officials of New York, which like | Maryland has rejected enforcement bills are of the opinion that the order will be imperative there because state officers are prohibited by law , from holding federal commissions. a similar situation prevails in Atlanta, Georgia, in the heart Of prohibition stronghold, City Attorney James l.. Mayson having found a provision in the city charter prohibiting police from holding other office.
 Need Mutual Consent
 States and municipalities having such laws are specially exempted in the order. and enforcement of ficials explained that mutual con- sent would be the basis for the clothing of local officers with the broader federal authority contom- plated, An administrative relic of the World war the s1 year sal ary to be revived in the new phase of the enforcement war since only nominal pay is authorized for the .ocal federal agents.
 Prohibition administrators in the various enforcement divisions prob ably will be given a rather free hand in putting the order into ef- ! feet in view of the different statu- tory conditions likely 10 be cncoun- ! tered. Nevertheless. prohibition of- i tlctals see in it a potential source l for expansion Of their forces four . fold. although they are not ready 10 say to what extent they plan to | put it into effect.
 Immediately Opposed
 Dated May 8, the order was is. sued yesterday by the White House. and immediately drew fire in the senate, not only from wet leaders. but from others who questioned its Senators Golf, re- publican, West Virginia, former as- slstant general. and King, demo- crat, Utah. were among those who held it unconstitutional, but Sena- tor Walsh, democrat. Montana took the opposite view. He and Senator King are both members of the Judiciary committee.
 Sen. Edwards Objects.
 The presidential order was de 2ribed today by Senator Edwards, democrat, New Jersey, as the most revolutionary order ever issued rom tht White House in time O. = peace."
 And in making this statement" he said, Tit is not my purpose to dis, parage or unjustly criticize Presi- lent Coolidge, because l honestly be- ieve that if there is one person ir .hese United States who is sincerely .rying to enforce prohibition that person is Calvin Coolidge. He has proven my faith in him in both his personal and public utterances and acts.
 But for the most powerful na- lonality of the world to admit | through it's chief executive that in ' order to bring about some small { of law and order In pro- t iibition enforcement. municipal and s county constables must be drafted | tt dollar q year to assist in appre- q tending federal law violators is the l straw which must and will break j he dry camels back. States are to ' 'e used as catspaws in the grand 'ame of upholding the hands of the y Anu-Saloon League administration. y The already unmanageable army of S 'fficial snoopers and sneaks is to be a 'astly increased and the onus of t nforcement lifted from the shoul- f CTS of the federal government V where it belongs) onto the backs of | he states" r The senator said the president a night issue prohibition executive t rders" daily to the end of time " ut America still will have her t her hi-jackers her poi a oned liquors, her home brew and b er stills" He added that the "pub- c is bent upon ending prohibition" " nd urged a national referendum. 1t