The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1934-03-23
He Needs Backing


citizen for the stand he has taken
against the bootlegging Of hard liquor
In these piping times Of 80 beer.
His action In committing to jail an
inebriated man with the promise Of
release II the offender will tell where
he got his liquor Is fortnight and
sensible. It should be continued UNI
til the whole matter Is cleaned up.
Meanwhile, it may not be amiss for
the average citizen to think Of the
situation We now are facing. Since
the federal government has left the
prohibition enforcement field. the
state prohibition law Is In the hands
of local officers. Unless they make
effective things will run wide open.
The need for renewed and unceasing
activity in this field Is made appar-
ent by the judges action.
The state Of North Dakota, despite
Its large squad Of beer inspectors.
seems to have shut Its eyes to this
condition. So far as the available
records show, there have been no
arrests by state officials for violations
Of the state prohibition act. II they
are good for anything except politics
these inspectors should be encouraged
to do what they can to halt bootleg
cling.
TO be sure, the legal sale Of beer
has reduced the market for harder
products. Many who formerly pa
tronized the bootlegger now have less
use for his services. Others, who feel
they want little hard liquor, are
having it shipped In from states
where it is legal. II anyone thinks
this Is not being done he doesn't
know what is going on. Express and
freight workers do not snoop into the
packages which they handle but they
frequently have = good idea Of what
they contain.
This importation In bulk cannot, Of
course, be effectively stopped. To do
30 it would be necessary to examine
every shipment OF goods from vet
states into North Dakota, halt every
automobile at the state line and In
spect it for contraband.
But sale Of liquor in small guam
titles or by the drink in our own
neighborhood can be stopped by
proper and effective police action.
Every effort should be made to do
20. for the bootlegger too frequently
Is vulture who will sell to anyone,
regardless Of age or other conditions.
They will sell liquor to a child II he
has the money.
Judge Allen has pointed the way
and may. II his "cure" works. be able
to do pretty fair Job single handed
But there is no reason Why he should
Be expected to do 50. for his Is not
the duty Of law enforcement. The
burden lies with the police and sl1er-
III and with citizens generally, for
unless it is made clear that the pub
lie IS opposed to bootlegging, now
that saner stand on the liquor
question seems on the way, very little
can be done by even the most active
and conscientious officer.
Unless the hue and cry against the
bootlegger, made during the effort to
repeal some Of the prohibition laws,
Was > complete sham, the public
should use what means 1t can 70 In
dictate a desire that the law be en-
forced.
In these hybrid days when We are
part wet by reason Of 80 beer. and
part dry BY reason Of the prohibition
against strong drink, the law should
b enforced more strictly than ever
before. It Is only reasonable to IS
.slme that enlightened public opinion
demands It.
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