New Britain herald., 1930-02-22
Modification of Jones Law May
 Be Raised In Present Congress
 Session Despite Legislative Jam
Vets and Drys Convinced That Present Law Needs Revamping for Sake of Clarity.


 6roWlnG sentiment in the house Or modification of the Jones law. fix ing the maximum penalty for pro- hlbitlon violations at five years iu- prlsonment and $1O,00O fine, may translate itself into action at this Scsslon of congress despite the legislative jam in the senate.
 A group in the house judiciary committee, composed of both vets and drys, has been convinced oy study of the Wickersham law en- 'crcement commissions prohibition program that q complete revampiny C. the Jones law is necessary if fed rral courts are 10 be relieved of the congestion resulting from liquJr trials.
 This group is determined to pass modifying legislation at this session Of congress regardless of the recent statements by houe leaders that dc lay Of the tariff bill in the senate may force the house to abandon .ll measures not already enacted,
 Would Define Terms
 The Jones Jaw changes, und ,r consideration by d judiciary sub committee. would define casual and slight prohibition violations which by the act passed last year gre exempt from the drastic punish- lncnt but not specifically named This would prevent district attor- ncys from threatening prosecution under the Jones law Of an offender serious nature.
 "Obviously, the purpose of the Jones law is to get the big fellows, not the small fry. Chairman Christo- pherson of the committed, told the United Press.
 II think vets and drys alike w.ll agree this should be stated in the law itself. There is some difference oi opinion as to just how this should be done but 1 think the committee can agree on a bill within the next few weeks.
 "Oncc the judiciary committee re- ports a measure, I believe one day Of debate will be sufficient to get it through tho house. I don't expect much opposition from either vets or drys"
 Definition of minor offcnscs un- der the Jones law was recommend | by the law enforcement commissiC1 i'l connection with it's proposal that court commissioners be given power 10 try petty Violators. The Jones law amendment and the comm'5- ~ioner bills. therefore, will be con- s;dcrcd together. The second meas urc is opposed by vets, who claln it will undermine the jury system.
 Senate leaders arc not planning 10 take up either of the measures dur ing the present session., but an inl- prossivc vote for them in the house might effect q change in the pro- gram.
 The house judiciary committee was in progress today, it's members considering the testimony of ten prominent -prohibitionists who advised repeal or modification or the Eighteenth amendment at it's hearing yesterday on wet resolh- tions. Proponents of the bills w!ll proceed with their arguments next Wednesday and Thursday, probably giving way to opponents the follow ing week.
 A feature of yesterdays testimony vas the suggestion of Dr. Samuel Harden Church of Pittsburgh. preSi- dent of the Carnegie Institute, that a Liberal party be organized to give political expression to anti prohibition sentiment. Both of toe established parties, he said. arc 1n- sensible to the public demand for repeal Of prohibition.
 Former Senator George II. Will Hams. of St. Louis. Frederick k. t'oudert Of New York, Ralph Al. Shaw Of Chicago. and former Az sistant Secretary of War Benedict t'roUcll of Cleveland. all told the committee that prohibition laws arc Icing flagrantly violated in th9lr cities.
 Pierce Blewett. former mayor o; Jamestown. N, D.. blamed prohioi- lion for the ills of agriculture. Frederick Clark, head Of the Cr'!- eaders," new organization of young men opposed to prohibition told the committee he expects to have a for rnidablc group in every city WorkinS 10 elect wet congressman within tFI~