Milford chronicle., 1929-03-01
TWENTY-FOUR MILLION
DOLLARS Or MORE IF
AND WHEN NEEDED

1t is misrepresentation to report as
a dry defeat the seemingly certain,
if prospective, refusal of Congress to
appropriate an additional twenty
four million dollars for prohibition
enforcement"
Congress will appropriate twenty
four million dollars or more if and
when it is needed for legitimate fed
eral activities in support of the pro-
hibition amendment.
The original Senate amendment
would have made this twenty-four
million dollars available only to the
! Prohibition Unit. Prohibition en-
forcement calls for effort on the
part of the Prohibition Unit, the Civ
! il Service Commission, the Coast
Guard, the Border Patrol, Customs
Service, and Department of Justice,
not to mention bureaus or depart
ments not so directly and closely
connected with the matter. The mon
ey would not have been available for
many purposes of the Prohibition
Unit because of the need of specific
legislation. Left without sufficient
funds for the purpose, the Civil Ser
vice Commission could not even
have certified to the Prohibition Unit
personnel eligible for appointment.
1t would have been inevitable that
much of this money would have been
wasted or would have reverted to
the Treasury, in either case the
cause of prohibition suffering criti-
cism. An effort was made to change
the amendment in such a way as to
permit proper ALLEGATION Of funds
and with these changes the amend
ment became much more reasonable,
but it was impossible to perfect it.
For instance, the mere appropriation
of money would not empower the
President to increase the number of
federal courts.
Reasons for the measure are not
Democrats desire to make a critical
demonstration toward the Republic
can administration. This is politics
and entirely justifiable as politics.
There is no doubt that during the
years that are past prohibition would
have greatly benefited by construc-
tive criticism on the part Of the
! Democratic minority. 1t was also ar
gued that the appropriation would
save delay in dealing with such ne
cessities as might be disclosed by
President-elect Hoover's prospective
investigation. Upon the other hand,
it is undeniable that the exact needs
are not yet fully disclosed, that it
was impossible to make proper allo-
cation of these funds, that veto was
probable and reversion of funds in
case of passage over veto possible.
Both sides of the House and the
Senate are on record as favoring an
adequate appropriation. It is also
clearly established that appropria-
tions have not been adequate hereto
fore. Mr.. Hoover will take Office with
a mandate from the American people
to establish satisfactory enforce
ment. The Prohibition Unit will need
more funds for investigation pur-
poses, for the payment of salaries
adequate to secure satisfactory Off
GERS, for an educational program
which will present the policy of the
government to those groups which
have been misled by wet propagan-
d. The Civil Service will need adj
ditional funds for investigation, ex-
animation and certification of eli
gible personnel. The Coast Guard
will need to make requirements in
order to continue its successful
work. The Border Patrol must be
largely increased, the border rum
traffic being crushed by the use of
adequate force. The Department of
Justice must enlarge its organization
in those states which have taken an
attitude hostile to the federal gov.
eminent in regard to this law and
this should be preceded by determi-
nation of a policy as to the estab-
lishment of detail courts or the
bringing about of general under
standing of the necessity for local
and state administration of the law
in those states which have fulfilled
their duty of concurrent legislation.
There was, unfortunately, very ap-
parent hesitation and confusion
among the leaders of dry organiza-
tions in regard to this legislation.
They must plead guilty to the want
of team work and certainly no one
has any right to complain because of
the division in Congress. There was
nothing involved which would justi
fly anyone in criticizing any repre-
sentative or senator who voted for
or against this appropriation. In due
time, Congress will beyond doubt
demonstrate it's fixed determination
to bring this issue to a head and
demonstrate conclusively that the
will of the people of the United
States is superior to the interest of
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