Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-26
PROHIBITION STILL
BIGGEST PROBLEM
Bar Association Head Weighs
Good and Bad Results
of Dry Law.


SEATTLE. July Delegates to the
American Bar Association convention
today were ready to proceed with FUR
Their class discussions OF the legal pro-
fesSion. after a two-day dissertation on
the problems of prohibition. bootlegging
and organized crime.
The first was called the biggest social
problem confronting the Nation today
il the annual address delivered yester-
day by Silas H. Strawn of Chicago
president Despite this ranking. pro-
hihitEou should remain a non-political
issue. he declared
Plunging into sociological discussion
of crime, MIR. Strawn linked its increase
In the Nation with scientific advance,
increase in the Nations wealth. boot
lcgging. lax public spirit and legal loop
holes.
Opposes Notification.
The ssSemblags previously had been
told that bootlegging wealth and the by
productive gangs of that industry had
effected virtual monopoly on crime In
the Nations chief urban centerS. Ar
thiir T. LASTLY. an investigator for the
criminal law and criminology section,
who made this statement. called for re-
peal or enforcement OF prohibition laws
10 reduce crime.
While MIR. Strawn believed the Con-
stitution should be obeyed. enforced or
amended, he fatty declared against null
liflcation. The eighteenth amendment.
he said. was the only constitutional adj
cition ever to have been the subject Of
3 direct continuing attack.
Notwithstanding decisions of the
courts, the eighteenth amendment and
Its enforcing legislation are Stll the sub
Sect of much acrimonious debate he
said.
Weighing carefully the reported ben
efitS of prohibition against the evils
chargeahle to bootlegging. Mr.. Strawn.
left with his hearers the picture Of
increased efficiency in industry and
improved welfare Of the laboring
classes as comparable to increased VIC
ienee and crime in the cities and
growing disregard. especially among
younger people. for existing laws.
1T is asserted" he said that exist
ing conditions conouce To q growing
disregard of law, especially among our
younger people. 10 sn appalling extent.
Many of our representative citizens
who would not think Of Violating any
other Law continually violate the Vol
stead act or conduce TO its violation
br patronizing bootieggers. thus enrich
ing the underworld beyond the dreams
OF avarice.
Tells of Benefits.
On the other hand, MIR. Strawn
said. claims had been made by those
IN position TO know that prohibition
has been an incalcnlable benefit 10 in
dnstrv by reducing absenteeiSm and i'm
proving efficiency ana production. and
20 the laboring classes by promoting
their general welfare and increasing
savings accounts.
Ttemizing causes OF crime increase,
Mr Strawn named expensive firearms.
fast automobiles and good highways as
the chief allies of Fhs underworld. He
declared the highly organized wealthy
criminal class was exerting a growing
influence In politics The jurist fur
*fer pointed TO irlaEtention of the elec-
toTste IN choosing judges and prose-
cutting attorneys ard apathy and in
difference of our best citizens" toward
FURY service as causes Of the increase.
Referring to the seventeenth amend
merit. the president declared Il Is sttll
serious question whether popular
election Of United States Senators iiI1-
proved the old system Of legislative
selection
Election Of Quincy NewIin OF Los
Angeles 20 succeed hEr. StrawII In FRI
dzvss elections was said 10 have been
assured following the announced with
c. val from the presidential race yes
ferday OF Henry Epson Sims OF Biz
miilgham, Ala.