Imperial Valley press., 1930-01-13
REP0R I
IS GIVEN
CONGRESS
Law Enforcement Com
mission Makes Several
Recommendations.
EXTENSIVE SURVEY
Avoid Passing Judgment
On Success Or Failure OF
Prohibition.
By JOSEPH H. GARD
limited Press Staff Correspondent


WASHINGTON, Jan. 13. W.R)-
President Hoovers law enforcement
commission, after surveying the sta
tus of prohibition enforcement for
seven months, told congress today
it had found staggering number"
Of "ocal points of Infection" and
recommended four measures to make
America drier.
The commission did not pass on
the success or failure of the 18th
amendment. 1t told congress, how
ever. prohibition observance must be
viewed in the light of traditional
American attitudes toward govern
ment regulation of conduct.
ave must not forget the many
historical examples of large scale
public disregard for laws in our
past" the report declared.
While the commission did not take
the slightest hint at any modifica-
tion of the law, it's discussion Of
the American attitude toward laws
regulating personal conduct, contain
ing historical background, was re-
garded as significant in connection
with its admission of the magnitude
of the problem and the present con-
Gition of enforcement.
Cites Weak Spots
The commission advised congress,
"if on no other grounds than to give
the law a fair trial." to mend four
weak spots in prohibition enforce
ment by adopting the following
measures: one of them requiring
radical changes in legal procedure:
Transfer the investigation of pro-
! hibition violations and the prepara-
! tion of cases against offenders from
the treasury to the justice depart
| ment.
Codify all federal prohibition leg
islation.
Made paddock injunctions more eff
| fective.
Relieve congestion in the federal
! courts by one of three expedients;
preferably by prosecuting "casual
or slight" violations without indict-
ment with penalty for such viola
tions limited to $500 fine or six
months in Jail, which would require
authorizing legislation by congress.
The commission did not report up
on the proposal to unity border pa
troll agencies under the plan being
discussed by the treasury with Cana
dian officials. Some members of the
commission, it is understood, are
hesitant about the wisdom of this
move and want to give it further
study.
The commission said its report was
not "final" Hut merely embodied
certain conclusions" These con-
cluslons resulted from seven months
or studying government documents
and congressional hearings, and of
consultation with federal officials.
The commission said il had avoided
holding public hearings, believing it
wiser "to make a careftl study of
the whole question:
The commission, including many
nationally known jurists, is headed
by George w. Wickersham, former
attorney general. Both houses of
congress received copies of the re-
port today from President Hoover.
The recommendations for tightening
dry enforcement are expected to 90
to the proper house committees for
prompt actian. House leaders are
understood to have pledged Mr..
Hoover their support in putting the
commissions recommendations on
the statute books. The senate pre-
ponderantly dry, likewise is expected
10 pass the requested laws and a
mendments.