THE WAR ON “WETS”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 11011, 25 January 1926, Page 5

THE WAR ON “WETS”

INDIFFERENCE TO ENFORCEMENT.

GENERAL ANDREWS’ WARNING. STATE OFFICIALS BRIBED ALL ROUND.

United Press Assn.—Copyright.) NEW YORK, Jan. 22. General Andrews, in charge of Federal Prohibition Enforcement, address a number of prominent citizens, cited numerous demoralisations widen had followed the enforcement of the Act of which he doubted the beneficial results.” i

“Prohibition,” he said, “has wiped out the source of the liquor supply, but not the demand, so there has sprung up a new source of supply called the ‘bootlegger.’ “The latter is represented in the courts by the best legal talent. He is rich beyond the dreams of avarice, because of the price you pay him. He bribes and corrupts Government agents. I don’t mean just policemen- I mean all the way up and down. You are financing a very real menace to society in not obeying the law personally.” General Andrews advocated the determination of the true state of affairs by the scientific, statistical Congressional investigation. Mr. R. Fulton Outing, the financier, who presided, pleaded for obedience to the law until it was repealed, saying: “This indifference to the enforcement is gravely perilous. The subterranean practice of hidden disobedience and questionable expedients employed to avoid exposure, are a menace to the virility of American life.” Meantime, Dr. Jackson, State Commissioner of Education in New Jersey, addressing the New Jersey school officials at Atlantic City, stated that the pupils of the schools and colleges in the United States were drinking proportionately as much liquor as the adults. For, this state of affairs lie blamed the latter’s example.—A. and N.Z.C.A.