New Britain herald., 1927-12-03
,Ew BRITAIN DAILY HERALD, SATURDAY. DECEMBER B. 1e27
MUST OBEY DRY
 LAW, SMITH SAYS
But Sees No Reason Why Repeal
 Efforts Are Wrong

Albany, N. r., Dec. 3 (UP)-Gov.
 Alfred l.. smith, democratic presi-
 dential possibility, last night voiced his opinions of prohibition and its i enforcement.
 The governor told members of the i New York State League of Women 1 Voters that he stood for law enforce ment but that "one of the funda- mental rights of citizenship is the
 right of our people 10 organize 10 i oppose any law and any part of the constitution with which they are in
 sympathy"
 The question of prohibition law
 enforcement is not one for either the
 nation or the state. smith said. He declared 1t was a local issue.
 Gov. Smith pointed out the Anti
 Saloon league planned to raise s5.- 000, for their work during the
 coming five years. He raised the question why the forces opposed to prohibition did not have just as much right 10 organize.
 The governor discussed point for point resolution that the Nassau county branch of the league plan ned to submit for q vote of the con- vention today.
 Discussing section on respect for
 law and enforcement, the governor
 said, enforcement of law and obedience to law are the very cor nerstone of the governmental struc- ture,"
 Gov. Smith read a section of the resolution saying that the Volstead act and the eighteenth amendment was openly attacked"
 Whats wrong about that?" asked the speaker. 'Is there any reason why the opposition to these acte should not organize? Is there any question about the solidity, or the force or the effectiveness of the or sanization In their favor?"
 Tn all my years as 8 public of- tieial, l have taken oaths to sustain the constitution of this state. and there are parts of it that hate. But promised to sustain it and l will sustain it. But I do not promise to give up the right to oppose the parts of it l do not like"
 In reply to d section of "nullifica- tion,' the governor said. T have no knowledge of anyone in public life who is preaching that. If there is any such case, l should like to have some specifications from the Nassau delegation of the League of Women Voters.~ Certainly have not preach ed nullification.'
 The governor said that the enact- mcnt of q state prohibition enforce ment law simply was putting an- other duplication in the statute books. He said that since the Null lan-Gage act became ineffective, liquor riolators had been prosecuted in the federal courts and had re- ceived more severe sentences than previously.
 Smith told how he attended a con- ference in the White House in 1922 at which. prohibition enforcement was discussed by the governors as- He said he was one of only two men at the conference who had gone home and conferred with their officials.
 "Forget the Nolstead act as a sub jcct for discussion to be carried on at the state capitol.' Smith said. That discussion was ended as far as the people of this state are con- 1 ccrned in 1920 when the government said Keep your hands off"
 The governor said all the laws needed were now on the statute books and that there was no need for enactment of d new state prohi- bition enforcement law. as some of the women had suggested.