The Bismarck tribune., 1929-04-25
By HORTENSE SAUNDERS

York; Julian Goldman, Boston; Col.
BY HORTENsE SAUNDERS
New York, April 25.-tNEA)-As
protest against convictions under
the new Jones law. a group OF lawyers
here has organized Personal Liberty
Committee offering free legal serv-
ice to worthy cases who may be sub
ject to heavy penalties provided for
under the law"
The attorneys propose to fight this
measure with the same vigor as was
displayed in the SOS in the case OF
the fugitive slave law. after the Dred
Scott decision. Frederic r. Coudert,
Jr., chairman Of the committee de-
clarcd.
Since thc sale Of a glass Of beer
has been raised to the dignity Of
felony" he said. carrying penalties
similar to those provided in this state
for assault and manslaughter, it was
thought wise to form committee to
assist those who have done nothing
condemned by civilized society and
who might be subject to such severe
punishment.
To Restrict Services
I'VE do not intend to offer our
services for the aid of the man who
Is a wealthy wholesaler Of liquor. or
to the proprietor Of any d!sreputable
club. or to the fellow selling dena-
tured alcohol. but We are going to
fight to the limit for the poor devil
who is In danger of five years impris-
onment for putting . drink across
the bar"
On the committee are seven for
mer government prosecutors OF the
| Southern District of New York, who
are ready to defend at their own ex-
pense persons accused of violating the
Jones Act. These are: Coudert,
Frederic c. Bellinger, Edward Lum-
bard. Carl Newton. Charles l.. Sylves-
ter and Kenneth F. Simpson. Many
other lawyers have volunteered their
services.
The Personal Liberty Committee is
. local departure from the Voluntary
| Committee Of Lawyers, Inc. formed
for the repeal of the Eighteenth
Amendment. That organization has
representatives In all sections Of the
country.
Garry Drive to Other Cities
The voluntary committee of law
yers plans to carry its enforcement
acts right into the heart Of the dry
territories, according to George Wes-
tervelt, secretary OF the committee,
who said that he was in communica-
ton with leading lawyers Of Kansas
City, Oklahoma City and Indianapolis
at the present. Similar committees
have been formed in Buffalo, Balti-
more. Washington. Cleveland and
Newark.
Julian Goldman and Alexander Lin
coin Of Boston have committee un-
der organization which includes G, s.
Rackmann. w. K. Richardson, sam
uel Hoar, and Richard Story.
James H. Winston and Mitchell d
Follansbee are forming q committee
in Chicago, and w. w. Montgomery
partner Of Owen Roberts who repre-
sented the United States in the Tea
pot Dome and Elks Hills cases, /.
forming 4 committee in Philadelphia
High officials in charge Of prohibi.
tton enforcement are surprised ant
not little grieved to hear that some
attorneys are uniting against tn.
legal measure.
Strange Says Dry Chief
Il gather that the purpose Of thi.
organization Is to cause juries to dis
regard the law" said J. M. Dorar
Commissioner Of Prohibition Il
Washington. This seems to me
very strange thing for . group q
lawyers to do.
1T Is direct reflection upo,
judges, because penalties under tn
Jones law are entirely up to them.
Judge doesn't need to give an oifende
more than 81 fine or Z day In jail.
don't see why the committee Of law
yers Is assuming that judges Wi
pursue fanatical course"
Asked what enforcement Official
intended to do about the defens
move, be replied: Nothing. This /
,. still . free country"
But the Jones act amending tn
prohibition law is q different matte
! from the Eighteenth Amendmen
which has been part Of the Consti
tuition for several years" Kennel
, Simpson said.
when It comes to Z point OF i'm
posing : five year prison term and
$1,000 fine for each conviction q
selling or transporting liquor. I Zee
u is high time for all lawyers and 9th
. er citizens who still cherish the pres
! ervation Of our civil liberties to tax
= drastic action as they can witho,,
melting rebellion or urging nullifica
t1ou."
4 Are Branded 'Unethicap
II Discussing the new orgaui1atioY
Dr. Ernest H. Cherrington, eenera
secretary Of the World League Aaains
!. Alcoholism, said:
1T seems incredible that lawyer,
Il Who by their own oaths when y
ni1tted u the bar are presumed to &
of2lcefs Of the court ana defender
cf the laM, shouid euabaSk upon sue
II m undertaking.
The overwhelming popular sun
| port a this law preyent& It's repeo
DefeAted IN any attempt TO captur
~