The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-04-02
ASKS DISMISSAL OF
FEDERAL ATTORNEY
Who URGES REPEAL
Says Drys Fear His Candidacy
For Congress on Anti.Pro.
hibition Platform
4 w. c. T. U. ENTERS FRAY
Reply is Renewed Attack on
Dry Law, Assertion People
Will Not Support it

Fargo, N. D., April 2.-lP)-Thoma
w. Gales, North Dakota superinten-
dent of the, Anti-Saloon League, has
recommended that resignation OF
Usher l.. Burdick, wet candidate for
congress, now assistant u. S. dis
trict attorney, be demanded at Wash
ington.
In the same statement to F. Scott
Mcbride of Washington, head OF the
Anti-saloon League, he commented
Burdick is the only wet candidate
feared by drys in North Dakota.
Gales charges Burdick with max
ing a farce Of the prohibition laws,
and bringing disgrace on the present.
administration"
I'VE have had most dismal fall
IRE of prohibition cases In North Da-
kota and have not been able to put
my hands on the trouble ne salo:
mfr. Burdick is the only rea!ly
strong wet candidate now III slgnt
whom we can fear. He is popular ana
it looks as if he has been wiser
than the children Of light building
up q strong following among the vets
by making a farce of the prohibition
laws and making a practical demon
stration of the fact that the pronl-
bition laws have not been effective
in stopping the liquor traffic
Burdick said he will not become
"cringing coward and desert his
:-:Su l,.a4 ,,~oh;Iitinr, is a failure
for any public office.
That was his answer to the ory
COMPLAINT which apparently W Is
prompted by Burdick's announcement
recently that he would be a candl-
date for congress OH a platform au-
yocating immediate repeal OF the
18th amendment
No Formal Charges
No formal charges have been flleo
with the department of justice but
the matter has been taken up With
the department officials, according
to information from washington.
The White Ribbon Bulletin, official
organ of the North Dakota w. G. T.
u, this month carries an editorial
terming the federal attorneys COM
ments on the impossibility of enforc-
ing the 18th amendment as "alibis
for incompetence, negligence, indif-
ference. lack of courage, ETC.
To this criticism Burdick replies
my record for 20 years shows have
prosecuted with success so far as
pleas of guilty and convictions are
concerned.
If must surrender all individual
thought s. then my answer is, take
the job and fill my place with some
one who either can't or doesn't
think"
Text of Statement
His statement follows:
Il am sorry the W. G. T. U. forces
of North Dakota believe cannot
prosecute liquor cases. My record for
20 years shows that have prosecuted
with success so far as pleas Of guilty
and convictions are concerned. / am
sorry these good people desire to have
me removed.
II still believe the administration Of
the 18th amendment has not stopped
the liquor traffic. I still believe we
have through this amendment made
it possible for the booze racketeers to
an1ass millions In money at the ex-
pense of legitimate business; l still
think 1t has made 1t possible for the
racketeer to defy all laws. still say
the racketeer Is seldom. If ever. con-
victed. I still say the people of each
state are competent to enforce their
own laws: still think the liquor
question is state issue and not ma
tional one.
These are my views and If must
surrender all individual thought and
sit blindly by and see my own govern
ment become helpless before the pow
er of the liquor barons, then my an
swer is. take the job and fill my place
with some one who either can't or
doesn't think.
IF my only justification for being
a lawyer Is to hold the position OF
prosecutor for the government, l
would, perhaps. hesitate about ex-
pressing the truth as see 1t. have
given the government the best that Is
In me and I have prosecuted without
regard to persons or consequences.
No White Feather
II have not showed the white feather
or compromised myself in prosecu-
tons. / have prosecuted when Of
ficers of this government did all in
their power to obtain acquittals. Il
dismissed from the service want to
know what for. want the record
made. have kept my record straight
and fear no one.
II still think my position on this
important public question IS right and
I will not become cringing coward
and desert that opinion Tor any public
office. believe our government IS
being undermined by the attempted
enforcement Of law which does not
have the moral support of the people.
That failure Of public support IS due
to the fact the temperance forces
abandoned their campaign Of educa-
ton against liquor as soon as the 18th
amendment was passed, enormously
believing that the law would Danish
Continued on page three