The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-04-22
Grimes Due to the Prohibition
Amendment but One Segment
Of the PrebIem,' He Says
RESPECT FOR LAW FADING
Federal Administration VIII
Strengthen Enforcement
by Steady Pressure

NCW AVAA ApAA 11.-\A0EICoS0CA1V
Hoover. In an ernest appeal to his
fellow citizens to observe the law. de-
clared today that life and property In
the United States ARE relatively more
unsafe than in any other civilized
country In the world"
In his first address since his inau-
guration, delivered at the annual
luncheon OF the Associated Press, the
chief executive said he was wondering
whether the time had not come ITO
realize that We arc confronted with
. national necessity Of the first de-
gree, that we are not suffering from
an ephcmcral crime wave but from
4 subsistence Of our foundations"
In order to dispel certain illusions
in the public mind on this subject" !"
Mr.. Hoover said, ''lct me say 1t once
that while violations Of law have heen
increased by inclusion Of crimes
under the eighteenth amendment and
by the vast sums that are poured into
the hands Of criminal classes by the
patronage Of Illicit liquor by other
wise responsible citizens, yet this Is
but one segment Of our problem"
Dry Law = Upheld
He explained that he cited the ex-
tent of murder, burglary. robbery,
forgery. and embcx4lemcnt because
only small percentage Of these could
be attributed to the eighteenth
amendment. and he asserted that Of
the total number Of convictions for
felony last year less than eight per
cent came from the source Of the dry
law.
What we are facing today Is
(aouethtng far larger and more fun
damental-the possibility that re-
spect for law as law Is fading from
the senstbNittes Of our people" be
continued.
mo individual has q right to de-
termine what law shall be obeyed
and what law shall not be en-
forced. II q law Is wrong, its rigid
enforcement Is the quickest method
Of compelling respect for i"
Mr.. Hoover said there were two
immediate problems before the gov
crnment to investigate the existing
agencies Of enforcement and to re-
organize the system Of enforcement
in such manner as to eliminate It's
weaknesses.
To Enforce Gradually
ut Is the purpose Of the federal
administration" he added, to
strengthen its law enforcement
agencies week by week. month BY
month. year by year. not by dramatic
displays and violent attacks In order
to make headlines. Not by violating
the law itself through misuses Of the
law In its enforcement. but BY steady
pressure, steady wedding out Of all
incapable and negligent officials no
matter what their status: by encour-
agement, production and recognition
for those who do their duty; and b
the most rigid scrutiny Of the records
and attitudes Of all persons suggested
for appointment to official posts 1u
our law enforcement machinery.
Every student Of our law enforce-
ment mechanism knows full well thai
1t is In need Of vigorous reorganixa-
ton; that its procedure unduly favoel
the criminal: that our judiciary need
to be strengthened; that the method
Of assembling our juries needs revt.
sion; that justice must Be more swtfl
and sure"
Addressing himself directly to thu
publishers and editors whom he faced
| 1laA v@rneiAns@k saiA the s4sDas A0ail6
play . dominant part In resolving thu
basic question Of the understanding
Continued on page three)