The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-07-18
Maryland Governor De-
CIareS Neither Legal Nor
Moral Obligations Exist.
WICKERSHAM ASSAILED
Alabama Executive Claims
States Would Do 'PontiuS
Plate Act.
BY CEDRIC w. FOSTER,
United Press stan Correspondent


EASTERN POINT, Conn, July 18.
bylaws and precedent notwith-
standing, the controversial subject
of prohibition brought before the
Governors conference by George w.
Wickershan, was carried on to the
floor Of the conference today.
A stirring speech by Governor
Albert c. Ritchie of Maryland was
the spark that touched off debate.
The Maryland Governor declared
1t neither is the constitutional nor
moral duty of the states to take
over enforcement of the Volstead act
within their borders.
The statement was in comment on
the letter in which Wickersham ad-
vocated division of prohibition en-
forcement functions between the
state and federal governments.
When Ritchie concluded his
speech. Governor Bibb Graves of
Alabama, jumped to his feet:
I approve Of the candor of the
Governor from Maryland" said
Graves. His statement has thrown
light on the popular trend Of this
movement. I am at a loss to know
whether Mr. Wickersham meant to
arouse the states to a sense of duty
or whether he merely put out a
'feeler' on the right of self-govern-
ment.
If the government is going to
call off the dogs on the sale and
then the states do a pontius plate
act, declaring, I wash my hands OF
it,, it is time to look to that great
leader who gave the most wonderful
speech on law enforcement this
country has ever heard.
Labels Plan "UntimeIy''
Governor Clyde Reed of Kansas,
who presided, declared the Wicker
sham suggestion untimely, and IF it
means a return to 'squatter SOW
eighty no good"
Governor John Hammill, Iowa.
told the conference I'VE have failed
to find the grist in this discussion" )"
He said the Wickersham plan placed
three alternatives: modification of
the Volstead act; repeal Of the
eighteenth amendment, and grant
ing tie right to engage in the sale
of liquor to the state itself"
When are we going to enforce
the law?" Hammill thundered.
Today's debate burst forth despite
efforts of conference leaders to avoid
the question and adjourn the three
day meeting without conflict.
1t had been pointed out discussion
of WickerSham'S proposal was vain
inasmuch as the conference was for
hidden under its constitution and by
laws from passing resolution on a
controversial matter.
Governor John G.. Richards, South
Carolina, waved a newspaper which
he said contained the statement the
conference intended to dodge his
resolution commencing President
Hoover's efforts toward law enforce
ment.
Can Not Evade Issue
We can not evade it, he de-
clared. 1T is not the states right
TO question enforcement, unless the
eighteenth amendment is removed
for the Constitution.
1T is time for the country to real
ize the eighteenth amendment i'm
poses no obligation on the state to
enforce it," declared Governor
Ritchie.
The amendment gives the state
concurrent jurisdiction with the fed
eral government, but whether the
state exercises it is option with
them. If they chose not to do so
they violate no legal or moral obli-
cation.
Aside from the class of crimes,
such as bootlegging and hi-jacking,
which federal prohibition under the
Volstead act has created, and aside
from crimes for which they are re-
sponsible and for offenses under the
Volstead act. I doubt very much
whether there is any crime wave "
In Baltimore, Ritchie declared,
there were less robberies and bur-
claries in 1928 than in 1924
No State Enforcement
The Governor continued:
We have no state enforcement
act in Maryland. The Baltimore
city police. under a ruling by the
attorney general, DO not arrest for
offenses under the VolStead act and
the city courts DO not try that class
OF cases. The result is both police
and courts are free to give their
whole time to the detection Of crime.
Governor George H. Dern. chair
man of the executive committee, pre-
sented the committees report, re-
commencing that no resolutions be
adopted lest the conference break
IT'S precedent of avoiding contro-
versy. The report was accepted.
The conference reelected Gov
ernor Dern of Utah as chairman;
Governor Theodore Christianson OF
Minnesota as treasurer. and for
rler Governor Cary Hardee Of Flor
.da as secretary.
The conference decided to hold
their next conference in Salt Lake
(s;f,. ~ a data yet ~ he daciSo6