The Indianapolis times., 1931-01-20
Separate Opinions, Aside
From Committee Finding,
Are at Variance.
FIVE FOR MODIFICATION
Baker and Lemann Would
Wipe Dry Amendment
OFF Books.
BIZ Scrtpps- Hooard Ncospoper Autov,.

bh ScftDDS-H o51Grd NeUspuper AIfonre
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2O.-Modifi-
cation or repeal of the prohibition
amendment was urged by a major
lty OF the Wickersham commission.
whose report was submitted To con-
gress today.
With no commissioner giving un-
qualified approval to prohibition
the commission of eleven divided as
follows:
Five favored modification of the
eighteenth amendment-four of
whom favored an adaptation of the
SWedlsh plan for quasi-govern-
mental dispensary system-Ander-
son, Loesch, Mcintosh, Comstock.
Pound.
Two favored outright repeal Ba-
ker. Lemann.
-Four favored further trial-Mc-
Cormick, Grubb, Kenyon, Wicker
sham; the two latter also suggested
referendum.
Agree on Breakdown
Only on three points were all the
commissioners in virtual agreement.
They agreed on the present break
down in enforcement and obsery-
ance. They agreed on the need for
increased measures and appropria-
tions for enforcement pending re-
peal or modification.
And all agreed on outlawing the
saloon, save that two would leave
that to the states. None favored
the light wines and beer proposal
some confusion as to the mean
ing OF the commissions recommen-
cations was occasioned by the at
tempt to make report signed with
reservations" by ten of the eleven
members. Thus the single report on
conclusions and recommendations
began with the unqualified state
ment that the commission is on
posed to repeal of the eighteenth
amendment"
I1lS failed to show that two com
mlsslonerS favored repeal and that.
t1ve urged modification, all of which
information was relegated to the in
dividuai statements by the commits
sloners who had signed the Joint
statement with reservations"
More Men, More Money
About half of the report of 10000
words was devoted to a factual
summary of the prohibition expert
ment and present conditions. as
determined by the commission
through twenty months of secret
ne aringS and special surveys
After a lengthy and vigorous IN
dlctment OF the failure of enforce
ment to date and of the widespread
corruption and crime, the report
stated:
More men, more money. and
more and better equipment for
the enforcing agencies undoubtedly
would achieve much, but no i'm
provement in machinery will avail
without cooperation from the
states.
This state eo-opera lion ultimate
ly will depend upon local public
opinion. So long as public opinion
is adverse or indifferent in large
cities and in many states, so long
as there is no practicable means Of
reaching home manufacture (Which
easily may run into commercial
manufacturer, and so long as the
margin or profit remains what it is.
serious obstacles in the way of salts
factory enforcement will continue to
oe beyond the reach of improved
organization personnel and equip
ment and tightened statutory and
administrative provisions"
Oppose Laws Lawlessness
Despite this pessimistic view, a
majority of the commission joined
in recommending, pending possible
repeal or modification, the follow
ing:
Liberalize provisions for pi1ysi-
sicians' liquor prescriptions; limit
the use Of cider and fruit juices:
increase enforcement personnel: ex-
tend power to search wholesale and
retail premises; prohibit indepen-
dent denaturing plants; tighten
paddock injunction provisions; codi-
fly dry laws and improve method Of
prosecuting petty offenses.
The commission is opposed to
legislation allowing more latitude for
federal searches and seizures the
report stated. That apparently does
not apply to wholesale and retail
premises, on which the opposite
recommendation was made.
Special severity was shown By the
report in treating legal lawlessness
in enforcement and the federal gov
ernment's notification of prohibi-
ton By. its policy of subsidizin9 the