New Britain herald., 1930-02-13
None of Judges Impose Full Punishment Allow cd Under Law, He De- clares - Says Citizens Will Not Help to Enforce Laws.

New Haven, Feb. E P-Thc New Haven Register today printed an in- 'or'iew with Rev. Ralph II. White, research secretary Of th" fact find ing committee for law enforcement m Connecticut in which the latter made thcs- assertions:
 That by no means do any or 1lc Connecticut courts use their full powers 10 enforce the liquor laws
 That as q rule Connecticut citIz.ns refuse 10 cooperate willingly in the enforcement Of law.
 That 10 he willing 10 serve on a 'ury is considered as a confession that ones time is not worth much.
 That disintcr, sted witnesses for the state will not testify except when forced 10 appear by sub- poona.
 Bases Belief On Report
 Eef, Mr. Whit, the Eo gIster sad. based his conclusions on a report stll in it's preliminary stages. which IS the result or mora than a year Of research in city and superior courts, with special attention 10 the court. Of common pleas, in ] { cities of the state
 He was formerly connected with the Anti-Saloon league in ConnccU- cut.
 The Register quoted the minister as charging that the judges Of th" court Of common pleas in New Haven do moi approve Of severe sentences for liquor law violmors. Durinc 1928 he charged there We're seventy convictions appealed from lower courts which resulted in 57 reduced sentence especially in aiI sentences. or in rolled cases. Eight received the same sentences i'm posed by the lower court. five r"- ccived higher sentences and II iu- sisted on trials.
 This method e. dealing with ap- poals, Rev. Mr, White was quoted as saving, is not pcrcuiar to New Haven county aicnc
 Others Ofcr "Gcncrou~" Terms
 There are other county courts" he said, that offer even more generous terms 10 criminals trying 10 avoid 'uom, while there are several such courts Of appeal that fight it out With appellants and impose djscour- aging penalties"
 These who present appeals 70 the courts Of common pleas and court of appeal. the minister asserted. are in a large majority those who have long police records for bootlcgging and other olfenscs. Many, he said. appealed from a second conviction and were liable 10 a heavy penalty. others, he asserted. ought never 10 have been in that court at alL as they were third and fourth oHeuI- CTS and should have hr'A bound over to The superior court.
 In no case during the three year period studied" he charged. "Waz any penalty imposed as severe as is sometimes given in some lower court Ior first offenders
 The trouble vi,h 'no liquor lavs," the minister sajd. 'js not that they can not be enforced. but that they are SO easy 10 enforce that pO- l.cc laAily or inc abuse of tnr dis ,rctlon of the court cannot b" 90 easily concealed as ja the case with other oflcuscs.
 Criticize New Haven Courts
 Rev. Mr. White criticized Ih" light hurs imposed il lower courts of New Haven. The penalty for second or- '-ndcrs, Sj.oup 0us and six months In jail, D." charged, is never i'm posed.
 He said lr believed police should raid local "booll,4 .oJn>a" while .odcral a-.nts coutlur their attention 70 the prevention Of smuggling and transportation, aa "ell aS ualufar- iure of Iquor.
 Speaking ou other phases or / violation t;ey Mr. NHir" said he Nas in favor or vmppin- but mol publicly and under present Grnum. ,tanccr llr drd not recommend whipping al any tim" for >jolUjons or the hqHor lan. hu' rather fo. 'yses Of gro-e ."aIHy and mde- "rncy,
 "Whpri1-." H. said. Huuurs Tho sup'wori'y .ompl.> of tu" crime iual and Nn'u ur mfuus 10 his sang he ts Eu-ord ar.'
 Rev, Mr. Wm'D# r.u"t Is 10 b.