The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-01-20
ties which desired to utilize the i,

in states which desired to utilize the plan.
 Five members favored revision of the 18th amendment on a less rigid basis p permit allowances for vary ing views regarding prohibition In different localities. One other mem- ! Der said he would favor this if pro- hibition did not succeed after a fur ! ther trial.
 Two commissioners favored un- conditional repeal. Three favored a @ further trial. Three members, though opposed to basic changes ,owg were willing to see the 18th amendment put to popular test by referendum or constitutional conventions,
 All went on record against return of the saloon and most ommission- CTS. regardless of Fundamental dif- ferences, favored material increase in enforcement appropriations and personnel.
 Though torn by differences which could not be completely reconciled even after nearly two years of con- that whatever the ultimate solution may be, some form of federal con- irol which would prevent revival of the saloon is imperative.
 'In our judgment" the commis- sion report said, '1t is impossible to recede wholly from the 18th amendment in view of the economic unification of the country. the de- velopment of transportation. the and the general use of machinery in every line of activity"
 The commission found general disregard of prohibition in many sections. prOfessed scepticism as to many benefits claimed. and voiced concern over public indifference while at the same time finding diff ficulty in suggesting remedies which it felt would be conclusive unless the public.
 Tt is evident" the commission said. "that taking the country as whole people of wealth, business men and professional mel. and their families, and perhaps the higher paid working men and their fami- lies are drinking in large numbers in quite frank disregard of the de- clared policy of the national pro- hibition act"
 The commissions report covered 148 pages and was signed by all members except Monte M. Lemann, of Louisiana, who favored uncon- ditional repeal along with Newton D. Baker. who, however. signed the general report. Individual opinions covered 1ss pages. the whole vol ume. nearly an inch thick. com prising 90,000 words.
 Appointed in May. 1929. by Pres ident Hoover with instructions to in- vestigate the enforcement of all laws the commission found prohibition it's most difficult problem. It's find- ings, including the conflicting con- clusions of the individual members are expected to provide material for protracted consideration by con- single minded program in entirety. :.
 The commission was critical of that provision of the Volstead act which permits "non-intoxicating fruit juices" in the homes, declaring it to be an invitation to hypocrisy and evasion" This provision under which the California grape growers have engaged in widespread cam paign to market grape juice which will turn to wine if exposed to air, was described as an anomalous pro- vision which in effect removes wine making from the field of practicable enforcement"
 why home wine making should
  and home distilling of spirits are not; why home wine making for home use is less reprehensible than making the same wine outside the home for home use. and why II should be penal to make wine com mercially for use in the home and not penal to make in huge quantities the material for wine making and set up an elaborate selling campaign for disposing of them is not appar- ent." the commission said.
 The report added that If. as has been decided. the provision means to sanction home making of wine or greater alcoholic content than per mitted'' in other sections of the Vol stead ast 'it is so arbitrary. so i'm viting of evasion and 50 contrary to the policy announced in section (of the Volstead act) that 1t can only be a source of mischief"
 The commission was also critical of the conditions under which the prohibition experiment was inaugu- rated.
 Ut could not be expected that leg islation seeking to make whole people at one stroke enforce total abstainers" would escape the dim- cultiespof forcing settled habits and social customs to yield to "legis- lative flats" the commission said.
 Reciting the difficulties attending the beginning of federal prohibition. the commission said it came into ex- istence during emotionalism of the war.
 The 18th amendment and the na- tional prohibition act came into ex istence at the time best suited for their adoption and at the worst time for their enforcement" the report said. "It must be said that enforce ment of the national prohibition act made a bad start which has affected enforcement ever since."
 Unwarranted search and seizures and the character and appearance of prohibition agents result In distress in prohibition enforcement for many United States attorneys and Judges.
 The commission found many other points contributing to enforcement difficulties including:
 Resentment of military forces who were absent from the country when the amendment was adopted:
 Failure to appreciate the magni- tude of the enforcement task;
 Lack of federal experience in use of police power.
 The attempt to enforce prohibition "as something on another plane from the law generally:
 High handed methods, shootings and killings;
 "Unfortunate expressions by ad- vocates of the law, approving Kill ings and promiscuous shootings and lawless raids tnd seizures and de- precating and constitutional guaran- tees involved';
 Political influences;
 Constant changes in law and in en-