Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-23
W|CKERSHAM HIT
BY BISHOP CANNON
Methodists Brand Recent
Statement premature
and DefeatiSt."

Bishop James Cannon, jr., chairman
OF the Board of Temperance and So
cial Service of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South. and Dr.. E. l.. Crawford
secretary of that body, in statement
made public today, vigorously assailed
the recent suggestion OF Chairman
George w. WickerSham OF the Presi-
dents Law Enforcement Investigating
Commission that if the States would
give better cooperation in enforcement
of the prohibition laws both National
and State laws might be modified so
as to become reasonably enforceable"
Mr. Understands declaration seemed
ito be premature and defeatist," the
statement declares, expressing surprise
as we'll as chagrin that the chairman
should have given such views to Gov.
Roosevelt Of New York in advance OF
mature Judgment Of the question at
issue so early in the investigation.
Letter Held HAY in Parts.
Unlike the statement in approving
vein recently issued by DR.. Clarence
True Wilson and DeetS Pickett on be-
half of the Board of Temperance, Pro-
hibition and Public Morals of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church, the attack by
the representatives of the Southern
wing Of the church was bluntly critical
OF Mr.. understands position. Certain
" every State should cooperate in en-
forcement Of the prohibition laws, the
Cannon Crawford statement warned.
and it is the duty of the Federal Gov
eminent. regardless of cost, to main
tain the Constitution inviolate.
IF hundreds OF millions are spent
for Army and Navy TO protect from ex-
ternal foes" it said, no sum is too
great to protect from nullifiers and
traitors at home"
MIR. Wickersham's letter. being
hazy and puzzling" in parts, they added.
required Interpretation In order that
there might be a clear understanding
as to what the commission chairman
had in mind.
The concession which has been most
earnestly and DANGEROUSLY demanded by
the modificationists. today'S state
ment said, lis the right to increase the
alcoholic content and the definition of
| intoxicating liquors in the Volstead act,
giving to the several States the right
to permit the manufacture and the sale
of liquors of whatever alcoholic con-
tent said State might determine. pro-
| vided such alcoholic content would not
come under the condemnation of the
United States Supreme Court as in
toxicating in fact
It was indicated that the Southern
churchmen would like for Mr.. Wicker
sham to explain whether he has in
mind such modification of the Vol
stead act or indeed. what modification
he believed could be made SO as to make
! the laws reasonably enforceable.
Declared Premature.
would it not have been better" they
asked, Ito have said nothing about
modification than to sound a note in
viting suspicion and declaring probable
defeat?"
The statement, therefore, that Mr..
Wickersham considers the present ma
! tional and State laws not reasonably
enforceable does seem to be prematur.
and defeatist, for surely it is too early
in the investigation ordered to be made
! by the Crime Commission for the chair
| man to, express such sweeping jude-
ment, which Judgment might be modi-
! fed or changed entirely as the invest.-
| CATION proceeds, and as 1t might be-
| come evident that the causes which at
| present operate to prevent efficient en-
! forcement might be removed
While, however, until Mr.. Wicker
sham amplifies and explains what ne
| means by the expression national AMI
State laws might be modified so as to
become reasonably enforceable that
| statement must be regarded as prema-
ture and defsatist. that statement should
not prevent any governor. including
Cows. Richie and Roosevelt, who has
honestly sworn to support and defend
| the Constitution of the United States,
including the eighteenth amendment
| from hearkening to Mr.. Wickersham's
appeal to consider how he can best car
ry out his solemn undertaking and CO.
operate with the Federal Government
in prohibition enforcement work."
Open also to charge Of defeatism
the statement said, was Mr. Wicker
sham's suggestion proposing division OF
enforcement activity.
IF Mr.. Wickersham had stopped at
this point" the statement went on, "he
! would have presented to the governors
simply a suggestion as to a natural
division of the enforcement activities
of the National and State govern
ments, it being of necessity fully under
:. stood that such an agreement could