ENFORCING PROHIBITION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19376, 10 July 1926, Page 11

ENFORCING PROHIBITION.

WAR AGAINST SMUGGLERS, i SCHOONER SEIZED BY NAVY. SEVENTY MILES OFF SHORE. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright (Received 9 p.m.) Sun. NEW YORK. July 8. The latest development in the fight of the United States against rum-runners came to-day, when a destroyer invaded " Rum Row," seventy miles off shore and seized the Canadian schooner Sumner. This is the first time the high seas beyond the twelve mile limit have been invaded. The Government's case is based upon the establishment of a conspiracy between the crew and Americans on shore. America is apparently undertaking the right to make seizures anywhere under these circumstances. A statement that he or anybody else with ability and determination could enforce prohibition in the United States within six months has been made by Mr. W. E. ("Pussyfoot") Johnson, of the American Anti-Saloon League. He outlined the following programme:— First: I would deal drastically with Judges who turn chronic liquor offenders loose with ' 10 dollar fines. Second: I would stop the criminal distribution of alcohol, denatured or otherwise, which could be done by purely administrative measures. Third: I would attack the turning loose of tens of thousands of chronic offenders through the parole pardoning system that has become a scandal in so many States. Fourth: If necessary I would make full use of the army and the navy. Fifth: I would make the fullest possible use of what is known as "double jeopardy." Where the Federal Court would not function I would call on State Courts, and where State Courts would not function I would make use of the municipal Courts. Sixth: I would throw downstairs or out of the window any department official who issued permits for releasing liquor for sacramental purposes without first ascertaining if it was to be used for those purposes. Seventh: When any public official who is charged with the enforcement of the law made public declarations that the law could not be enforced I would demand that he should immediately get out of the way to make room for someone who had ability and faith in himself to make good. Eighth: I would, shoot to kill. By that I mean I would mean business. In other words, I would enforce the law right. up to the hilt. In the meantime prohibition officials in Washington have declared that women are entering the bootlegging business with a rush. They are succeeding better than males. The desire for fur coats and expensive clothes is believed to be the principal incentive to the many thousands of women now operating.