New Britain herald., 1930-02-11
THE COURTS. POLITICS AND
 PROHIBITION CASES

n l. Nol hi S. FULL I JN = AND
 PROHIBITION CASES
 Such widespread condemnation Of the courts of Connecticut as that given by the Rev. Ralph II, White at the Everyman's Bible class Sun day morning naturally attracted widespread attention throughout the state after the Associated Press de- livcred the statements to the after noon papers. Unfortunately there iS some truth in the assertion that the court system is linked with political machinery. Yet there is justice 10 be had in the state. Connecticut remains one Of the states that crooks seek to avoid. Prosecution and punishment here have q reputa- ton for being definite, fairly cer- tain, and progressive methods are TWO states Of the 4S which permits those charged with major crimes to choose q trial by jury or by ges-Maryland where the system started in this country. being the other. And on the whole, there are sood points about our judicial sys- tcm.
 What Mr. White. as an officer in q fsct-findlns body seems 10 deplorc most is that flaw enforcement" in every particular is not 100 per cent perfection. 1T much of what he so forcefully said were true, there would be enough remaining of value 10 make for satisfaction
 Mr. White % far as we are aware, did not mention prohibition cases in particular. One gets the impression that back in his head there was q belief that. some at least Of the evils to which he was referring had 10 do with prohibition cases. He ad~ mittcd that if ten per cent of the appealed cases were tried the courts would be glutted; and it is fair to as sumo that, in the nature ot things, q soodly percentage of the cases re- tcrred to must be based upon tb, enforcement of the prohibition law It is generally admitted almost everywhere that if there were nc bargain days and all prohibition bc enough courts and judges ant iuries to 30 through with them This is simply too bad, but wh, blame that on the courts and no upon prohibition"
 Tn order 10 avoid this munlres traffic jam of justice the Wicker sham committee. it Will be remem bered, suggested that the right 0 trial by Jury in certain cases b changed 10 trial by federal! commiS sioncrs. thus lodging a time-honorc, method of American Jurisprudence That, it is assumed. would "iacili tate" the disposal Of the dclugc 0 prohibition cases on the 1ocket- an' mako it easier for law enforce mcnt." Unfortunately or tortunat" ", large portion Of the popuIa ton does not care for this type 0 federal bureaucracy
 This Aggression upon prohibition may be unnecessary in view of MI Whites failure to single out prohi bition cases while here; tut in problem Of l4w enforcement is S closely intcrtwmcd with the en forccment Of prohibition that con sidcration of one inevitably suggest he other.
 There arc some old-lusjiion.d peo 0le left in the country who beher hat one way to aid law enforcement would be to have fewer Iaws ! break. leaving the law cnforcamer machinery centortd upon the eu torccmcnt ot laws directed agaia> really serious crime,
 It is evident that the iutcruin4bI Iclugc for better methods oi "la' enforcement" suggests q deep dis satisfaction by prohIbitionists wit he ability Of the courts to cope wit he results Of their efforts 70 mah The nation bone dry by law. IL simpI does not work, and all 'hc h}am does not rest upon tho cour's