The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-03-12
LIQUOR Buyer
ISSUE IS GIVEN
TOHIGH court
Acknowledgement Mitchell
Asks Supreme Tribunal
to Decide Case.
WOMEN LAUD DRY LAW
Feminine Leaders Praise
Prohibition in Hearings
Before Committee.
BIZ United Press

IN tNtlfu IJtNS
WASHINGTON, March 12.-At-
torney-General Mitchell today asked
the United States supreme court to
decide whether a purchaser OF in
toxicating liquor is guilty Of violat-
ing the national prohibition act.
The decision would provide a test
of Section of the VolStead act,
which many enforcement authori-
tieS' hold makes the buyer equally
guilty with the seller.
In view of the doubt as evidenced
by the expression of various judges
of United States district courts, the
department of justice has decided
to prosecute an appeal to the SUI
preme court from the recent de-
cision of Judge Morton at Boston
in the case of United States versus
James E. FaITar. Mitchell said.
The case docketed in the supreme
court today is expected to decide
once and for all the status of ltq-
uor buyer.
Prohibition enforcement author
1blCO. Willie ll4SClCOJCA III OubNOAAAG VA
the decision, said that should the
ruling hold liquor buyer liable, it
would not simplify their operations
but that it would multiply the nurn-
Der guilty for the same violation.
BU United Press
WASHINGTON, March IA
militant band of women leaders
bombarded the house judiciary COM
mittee for two hours today with
statements lauding prohibition and
defying the vets to repeal or modi-
fly it.
Twenty three of the ladies deliv-
cred their enthusiastic arguments
in the morning session. The wom-
en- called for real enforcement
whatever the cost
Messages supporting prohibition
were sent by Mrs. Henry Ford, Mrs.
Thomas A. Edison and Congress-
woman Ruth Bryan owen Of F'lori-
da, daughter of the famous dry
leader william J. Bryan.
Sums Up Evidence
At the end, their leader, Mrs.
Henry w. Peabody, Boston, chair
man of the Womans National Com
mittee on Law Enforcement, deliv-
cred a summary of the evidence.
Representative Stobbs (Rep.,
Mass.) asked that as a courtesy to
Mrs. Peabody, the usual questions
be held in allegiance.
well, 1 am going to ask questions
of every one of these witnesses"
said Representative La Guardia, New
York wet. Representative Sparks
CRep., KAN protested and after
a harangue the committee adopt
ed a motion officially granting the
woman immunity from questioning
for the time being.
Mrs. Edison's message read: 81
stand for the law that has proved
a blessing for one station in life
and would be an equal blessing to
those enjoying greater privileges in
this world if they would give the
law a. fair chance"
Mrs. Ford Hands Law
Mrs. Ford said: Il am heartily in
favor of the eighteenth amendment
without modification. 1t is law Of
the United States and should be
observed by all of us. In my opin-
ion it has been Of untold benefit
to the women as well as men Of our
country in improved living condi-
tons and more prosperous nation"
Mrs. Herbert Hoover presided over
the last convention Of the committee
which formulated the women's pro-
gram, Mrs. Peabody said. She de-
cried the efforts of women anti
prohibitionists to claim that youth
is being corrupted by prohibition.
A message from Mrs. Vic Dona-
hey, wife Of the former Ohio Gov
ernOr, said her state is squarely for
prohibition.
ohio will support and honor
with high Office only those who are
willing to do their duty in these
matters" Mrs. Donahey
cafd