Milford chronicle., 1930-01-17
URGES CONGRESS
TO MAKE CHANGES In
DRY LAW MACHINERY
Continued from Page u

/ NOSN@~~-~-NN
"WhiIe some sections of the Am
erican people may disagree upon
the merits of some of the questions
involved, every responsible citizen
supports the fundamental principle
that the law of the land must be en-
forced"
In recommending a large-scale
change in the whole process of en-
forcement, the President said:
after exhaustive examination OF
the subject, the commission on law
observance and enforcement and
the officials of the Department OF
Justice and Treasury Department
unite in the conclusion that increas-
ing enactment of Federal criminal
laws over the past twenty years, as
to which violation of the prohibition
laws comprises rather more than
one-half of the total arrests, has
finally eliminated in a burden upon
the Federal courts of a character
for which they are ill-designed, and
in many cases entirely beyond their
capacity.
."The result is to delay civil caus-
es, and of even more Importance, the
defeat of both. justice and law en-
forcement. Moreover, experience
shows division of authority, respon-
sibility and lack of fundamental or
ganization in Federal enforcement
agencies, and offices result in in
effective action"
Attorney General Mitchell, in his
report to the President, declared
that congestion in the courts deser-
we'd the utmost consideration as IN
many districts the courts were un-
able to cope with the volume OF bus
mess brought before them.
"This results in delay with weak
ening of evidence and difficulty IN
obtaining convictions" he said. "An-
other effect of congestion is the eff
fort to clear dockets by wholesale
acceptance of pleas of guilty, with
light punishment. The deterrent Ell
feet of speedy trial and adequate
punishment is lost"
The Encouragement also assert
ed that the placing of all Federal
agencies in good order was not the
only requirement in connection with
enforcement.
at has never been contemplated
that the whole task of enforcing
prohibition should be borne by the
Federal government" he said. ANY
constructive plan for better pro
bibition enforcement must give at
tention to improvement in state as
well as Federal agencies and TO tne
burden of enforcement.
EIaborating on his recommenda-
tions for a unified border patrol and
designated points of entry for per
sons and merchandise, Secretary
Mellon said these were essential II
the border patrol was to function
efficiently.
eThe points of entry should be es-
+abliebed at the boundry intersection
of ali established and customary
routes and wherever intercourse
witb our neighboring countries JUS
tifies." he said. "Flexibility is essen
tiaI in order to permit an increase
in the points of entry contormaDly
Nth the growth of commerce ana
travel and in order to meet season
81 - necessities and constantly chang
;no Conditions. There should be a
s,I6stantial increase, rather than a
decrease in the present number o5
customs and immigration stations.
0IS Secretary eClr Mellon said that the
,,.,'oI customs, immigration quaran-
tine me and other officers would be sta
t;nnod tinn at the points of entry to en-
sOroe n ali the laws with the border
Iotro1 rotC left free to guard the border
batwaen R@tuU designed points of entry
and prevent the entry OF an peIsoas s.
and merchandise along those stret-
oIac