Enforcement of the prohibition law is now squarely before the American people and in complete charge of the Federal authorities.
The plan of enforcement, effective August 1, has been carefully thought out, the machinery has been provided, and the man to whom the country looks for action is definitely in the saddle. Today there are just two questions in the public mind, the first, whether Brigadier-General L.C. Andrews will prove capable of enforcing the law--, if not, then is it possible to enforce the law under any circumstances?
Unquestionably Gen. Andrews has a stupendous task ahead of him, but he is not lacking moral support any more than he lacks complete control. President Coolidge unquestionably is determined to have the law enforced if it be possible to enforce it. Secretary Mellon is no less determined to put an end to the liquor traffic, and the press generally throughout the country stands strongly in favor of law enforcement. Even those newspapers with wet tendencies stand as a unit in insisting that the law should e enforced as long as it is the law.
General Andrews’ plan of creating 22 Federal zones which wipe out state lines, is expected in some quarters to be the keynote of successful enforcement. In other quarters the plan is regarded with alarm as giving evidence of further encroachment on the rights of states and the liberties of the people.
“Thus far have we gone in the determined plan to create a new autocracy in the hitherto land of the free,” says the Columbia, S.C., Record. “All that has preceded this gigantic extension of police powers of the federal government has been the merest child’s play. But what is happening is just as the Record five years ago predicted would happen. The end is not yet.”
What States Will Not Do, Government Must
Quite a different view is expressed by the Philadelphia Inquirer which approves the abolition of the state directors.
“It may be argued that all this means an increase in federal power at the expense of the states,” says the Inquirer, “but, as the President pointed out recently, what the states will not do, the federal government must do. The enforcement of federal law is clearly within its province, more particularly if this law is so unpopular in some communities that local officials are ?? by local feeling.”
The Washington Star says the slowness and leniency of the courts is responsible for the failure of prohibition to date.
“Enforcement is possible,” says the Star. “It is upon that principle that the Treasury Department’s new organization has been planned. Integrity on the part of enforcement officers of all degrees is an essential. It has never been believed to be impossible to organize an honest, loyal force. Hypocrisy and infidelity are not dominant characteristics of the American people.”
Whatever may be the result of the Andrews plan, at least the country is promised to compel obedience to the law of the land, and bring an end to the mockery that exists, particularly in the big cities. Political considerations, we are told are now elimi-?? . . boss be able to march to court and obtain leniency or immunity for friendly violators of his constitution. Plus the elimination of politics a rapid and determined drive is to be made to stop the sources of supply, importation and diversion of legally manufactured and stored alcohol.
Won’t Waste Time on Small-Fish Bootleggers
It has been shown that sporadic assaults on the individual bootlegger, raids on small dispensers, and gunning after petty offenders is futile, serving only to make the law enforcing powers a laughing stock.
Control of the sources of supply will necessarily eliminate the little fellows from the scene of law violation without further action. They cannot sell the booze they cannot obtain.
“Uncle Sam means business,” says the Cleveland Plaindealer, whose editorial calls upon the states and local communities to carry their share of the burden of enforcement.
From the front page of The Polk County News, Tryon, N.C., July 23, 1925
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn94058241/1925-07-23/ed-1/seq-1/
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