Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-17
W|CKERSHAM PLAN
BRINGS COMMENT
Governors Express Varied
Views on Law Enforcement
Division by States.
NJ III. Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW LONDON, Conn, July 1.-THE
suggestion of George w. Wickersham
head of President Hoover's law en-
forcement commission, that enforce
ment of the prohibition law be divided
between Federal and State agencies
nrovoked varied comment from State
governors assembled here today.
such of the State executives as eX-
pressed an opinion gave little support
to Mr.. Understands suggestlon tnat
an adequate division of enforcement
authority might lead to modlncatlon OF
national and State laws TO make tneHi
reasonably enforceable" s.,
Gov. Ritchie of Maryland said ne
would have comprehensive comment.
Suuarely Before Governor.
The prohibition question came square
" before the governors conference yes
terdav when Gov. Franklin D. Roose--
welt of New York, principal speaker at
the crime session, read the WICKER
sham letter.
The letter described prohibition as
ga most serious subject" and suggested
a division of authority under Wnicn
the Federal Government would under
take to prevent importation ana trans
portation of illicit liquor IN interstate
commerce. while the States assumed
RESPONSIBILITY for suppression OF sale.
saloons and speakeasies and other local
Gov. Roosevelt, after reading the let
ter. said: ,-. =.
It bv Mr.. Wickersham are purely spec
ulative Beyond that 1 don't want 70
say anything"
Other comment was:
Gov. Gardner of North Carolina: L
think the letter expressed the law en-
forcement situation clearly in regard to
modification. My opinion is that the
last election expressed the sentiments
Gov. case. Rhode Island: THE sub
tect is one en- which I have no opinion
to offer"
Forward Stepping Move.
Gov. Hammill, Iowa: THE suggested
division of authority is forward-step-
ping move. The mention of modifica-
ton denotes weakness. We should edu-
cate and build sentiment among our
citizens so that all will cooperate in
the enforcement of all our laws. Modt-
flcation then would not be necessary"
Gov. George Dern, Utah: THE sug-
gestion of division of authority sounds
logical. 1t will be Of great aid in doing
away with the passing of the law en-
forcement buck. In my opinion there
never will be modification in Utah"
Gov. Richards. South CaAolina: I'm
my opinion, modification is necessary.
but it will never take place in my
State"
Gov. Byrd. Virginia: The proposal is
very interesting. want to study more
of it before I comment on it,
TxpV Canlf1pId MicSOlri HTnteroStin0
constructive"
Gov. Conley, West Virginia: 1--WE en-
force all the laws in West Virginia, and
so far as we are concerned we don't
need modification of the prohibition law
in our State"
Gov Trumbull, Connecticut: I'VE are
intent on enforcing our own laws in our
own way in our own State"
Gov Richie. Maryland: 81 have
nothing to say about Mr. Wickersham's
ideas. Whatever I will say will be said
At the conference, because I want to
make a comprehensive comment I am
not going to make myself foolish by
saying such things as speculative or
interesting or some such silly things"
Gov. Shafer, North Dakota:
Mr.. Understands suggestion that
the States and Federal Government
adopt cooperative program of pro-
nlDlClOn enforcement 10 QlSplaCe LIle
program of duplication of effort is a
good one, not only from the standpoint
Of the practicability Of the idea. but also
from the standpoint of duty"
Gov. ChriStianSon, Minnesota:
There is nothing new or startling in
the division of enforcement authority
suggested by Mr.. Wickersham. It was
suggested by Commissioner Doran a
year ago and by myself at a law en-
forcement conference in my State a
year ago. Too much should not be ex-
pected from such a plan, however, as
States have local attitudes toward en-
forcement, which are much different
from the national attitude"