Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-27

News that a gas and electric company
In Rhode Island had ordered its meter
readers to report the existence OF stills
on private property recently stirred UP
a storm of protest in the press. Since
the thing came out. however, the order
has been rescinded and the United
States district attorney in Rhode
Island has explained that IL was not
directed by him. but was inspired by
legal complications in which the head
OF the Illuminating company was called
before the grand jury because OF gas
meter connected with a huge distillery
producing 900 gallons day.
The Providence Bulletin quotes the
district attorney as stating that the
Government did the obvious thing OF
calling the gas company officials before
the grand Jury" and that the company
was facing a very serious question.
But the country already had spoken on
the subject Of meter readers and stills.
IF meter readers are TO smell out our
cellars" queries the Milwaukee Journal,
what Is TO prevent them from becom-
ing general moral guardians OF the COM
munity? What is to prevent the grocer
boy and the butchers helper from Join
ing the law enforcement ranks? What
is TO stop the formation OF a general
BRIDESMAIDS deputy police force? Only
one thing-the plain. ordinary. every
day common sense OF the American peo-
pie" Similarly the Hartford Couran.
SAYS. What the reader OF electrical
meters may overlook. readers OF gas ano
water meters may find. What all three
may miss may be discovered oy the
ashes and garbage collectors. Then the
laundresses and window cleaners may De
aNt N
carnenters and plumbers. How
reminiscent this all Is Of that declara-
ton adopted by the Second Continental
Congress and forwarded under date oil
July 4. l776. To King OF England
whose emixsaries had forgotten there
was any such thing as the Right OF
Castle"
There in absolutely nothing to be
said in defense of operation OF Illicit
stills" observes the IL ledo Blade. and
vet this plan is OF doubtful Integrity.
since IL virtually would enable law en-
forcement officers TO conduct a search
OF private premises by proxy and WIN
out legal authority OF search warrant
This peculiar system OF espionage Ger.
tainly vii, stimulate the business OF
bribery and 1t will be OF little avaii III
the effective enforcement al prohibition,
n the meter reader cannot be induced
In forget conveniently about anything
unlawful he sees. meters Will br moved
ar new locations will be found for stills
and stocks Of liquor. J..
1T sets up an army of shoppers. u
onens the door to blackmall and terror
ism" in the opinion OF the Albany Eve
riro News which declares: THE com
many can have no right whatever Ia
lave such action. II Is unfair To con-
sumers Il Is unfair to Its employees
.. The United States Supreme
rourt's decision In the 0ambino case
has held that New York state troopers
cannot search automobiles without
warrant That will end one nuisance
And there must be an immediate end Ia
any gas-company shopping lhe
BROOKLYN Daily Eagle agrees that' eNF
tended, the system would. or course
lead 10 any amount of blackmaii' ana
that paper also remarks that the sYsT
thm would be without seafch wa!fan',
"a required by the statutes OF the
IJn,ted states and by the National Con
stitition.' ,,,,," ,nn
esass the New Orleans Tribune. nut
such snyina certainly violates the spirl,
nf ihe constitutional guarantee ot the
sanctity of the home" and OF the meter
readers that paper SAYS They don
express their opinion OF the order Inc
eomoanv ordered them not To talk
such Swing In dis,asteful to the aver
age man, Publication of the order -
certain 10 make their work harder ana
unpleasant"
The Springfield Union feels that ths
readers may not relish the idea o'
acting ss spoilers on the people whnsf
natronaae enables the company when
employs them 10 pay their wages ana
Incidentally, disbufse dividends 10 tht
stockholders. Even the upright ana
improbable stockholders OF the com
MANY may object To having thelf own
cellars, II mol other peoples snoonee
over by their companys newly created
stiii snitfers,"
Petty tale telling can only he iuiilf
as well as unpopular" AYERS the Crane
Rapids Press, which cites the ennteh
tlon that what man drinks and
makes 10 drink IN his own home. with