The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-01-13


al and state governments to these
, problems, all require further most ex-
h2ustivc consideration and investiga-
ton. which. will require time and
earnest research as to the facts and
forces In action before sound opinions
can be arrived at upon them.
ley the Associated Press
Washington, Jan. 13.-lR-Reserv-
iny judgment on its ultimate prohi-
bition conclusions, the law enforce
msnt COMMISSIONER a preliminary
report cent to congress today-rec-
commended that the national prohi-
bit!on law be Immediately strength
cned in the interest of promoting OBJ
scrvance Of and respect for all law.
If on no other grounds than to
give the law a fair trial." the COM
mission said, there are obvious and
unconvertcd difficulties. pointed out
by experience. which may, and. as we
think. should be met SO as to make
enforcement more effective"
These difficulties were declared by
AL xAOOVSA NOAAll1lASC1VIl w UCs
Legal Disorder Prevalent
Division Of enforcement between
the treasury and justice departments.
Disordered condition of federal
legislation involved in enforcement.
Possibilities of defeating paddock
injunctions by means of %concealing
ownership Of property used for manu-
facture and sale of Illicit liquor.
Congestion of petty prosecutions in
the federal courts leading to whole
sale disposition OF accumulated cases
under circumstances impairing the
dignity of and injuring respect for
those tribunals.
Increase Effectiveness
without prejudice to any ultimate
conclusions" the report said. I've
think In the interest Of promoting
observance Of and respect for law.
The national prohibition law may we'll
be strengthened and its effectiveness
increased in these important par
ticularS."
AS to observance, the commission
declared 1T is wholly impossible to
set off observance of the prohibition
act from the large question Of the
views and habits of the American
people with respect to private judg-
ment as to statutes and regulations
affecting their conduct"
I've must not forget the many his
torical examples of large-scale public
disregard of laws in u past" the
report said, adding that I'VE must
bear in mind the Puritan's objection
to administration, the Wing tradition
of a right to revolution the concep-
ton of natural rights. classical In our
policy, the Democratic tradition Of
individual participation In sover-
eighty"
Cite $4,000 Arrests
Asserting that as to enforcement
there were no reliable figures to show
the size Of the problem. the commits
sion said the reported arrests In the
last fiscal year Of upwards Of $4,000
persons from every part OF CONT
mental United States Indicates q
staggering number of what might be
called focal points Of infection"
Attention was directed that there
also were 1900 miles Of boundary
and short-lines for the United States
lat every point Of which infection Is
possible"
The number of smuggling roads
from Canada Is reported as at least
1000, 1t was added.
$4,000 in Personnel
ITO deal with an enforcement prob
lem of this size and spread" the re-
port continued, "the federal govern
ment can draw only on q portion OF
the personnel of three federal serv-
ices, whose STATS aggregate about
$4,000.
approximately, one-tenth Of this
number is in the investigative section
of the prohibition unit. OF the re-
naming 10000. only a small propor-
ton of the personnel Is available for
actual preventive and investigative
work. The remainder is engaged In
work far different from prohibition.
These figures speak for themselves.
Needs Further Study
ITO adjust the machinery of federal
administration. as 1t has grown up
for other purposes. to this huge prob
lem of enforcement of prohibition is
not easy. and will require much fur.
thcr study. Unification, c~entraliza-
ton Of responsibility, and means Of
ens,lring cooperation between federal
and state agencies, are things to
which we must come. quite apart
from the ~exigencies Of enforcement Of
prohibition. but which car not be
achieved overnight"
Replying to those who have assailcd
it for a failure to hold public hear.
ings on the prohibition question. the
commission reported to President
Hoover it conceived 1t Ito be more
useful to make a careful study OF the
whole question, securing information
! from the responsible officers Of the
| government and from printed reports,
as we'll as from hearings before COM
mittees of congress. before cmbartng
upon public hearings"
Plan Ultimate Program
Summing up its four recommends
lions for legislative cnactments, the
commission said:
we think they could not In any
wise Interfere with any ultimate
program which We may have to rec
| onlmend, and would In the meantime
| advance observance of the law"
The commission dealt with each Of
its recommendations separately and
with some of them at considerable
length. In urging. transfer Of the
! prohibition unit from the treasury to
| the justice department. the report
said it was an anomaly that the cases
arc investigated and prepared by
agencies entirely disconnected with
| and not answerable to those who are
| to prosecute them.
Prosecution Divided Now
If prosecution. the legal side Of
enforcement, is partitioned between.
two district agencies" the report said.
1.-The diffused, ill-defined. n~on-located
| responsibility is sure In the long run
| to be an obstacle I, efficiency"
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