American Notes of the Week
(By Cable)
Peofirnmox ENFORCEMENT.
The controversy over Prohibition enforcement has not abated with the publication of the Wickersham Commission's Report, with President Hoover's endorsement and request for Congressional action. The Report, indeed, has given little satisfaction either to " Wets " or " Drys." It is felt not only that the Commission, after months of investigation, has failed to throw any fresh light on the facts or to address itself to the fundamental issue as to whether public sentiment supports the laws, but even that the recommen- dations for enforcement which it makes have either been made before or are of doubtful promise for marked practical improvement. The Commission's suggestion of means to avoid trial by jury is interpreted in itself as an admission that public sentiment is not wholeheartedly behind the Prohibition Laws. However, the " Drys " have proved their overwhelming strength in Congress by defeating every amendment proposed by the " Wets," including provisions aiming to prevent the poisoning of alcohol and the employ. ment of convicted criminals as Prohibition Agents. In practice no more is expected to come of the Commission's proposals this year than the transfer of the responsibility for enforcement from the Treasury to the Department of Justice. And that step was promised quite irrespective of the Commission's findings. We seem to be faced with the amazing fact that, while it would be impossible to repeal the 18th Amendment, it is equally impossible as a matter of practical politics to secure effective legislation to enforce
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