Show 1 1 I Someone Blundered I IGENE G GENE R-AL R SMEDLEY D. D BUTLER former former former for- for mer police chief of the tho city of Philadelphia Phila Phila- V delphia elphia but hut now v back on the job in the marine corps set an unusual precedent when fe he filed charges harges of drunkenness and conduct unbecoming a gentleman and an officer against g Colonel Alexander Williams at San Diego It seems that Colonel Williams prepared prepared pre pre- pared a party for General Butler who had come to San Diego to relieve him as corn com ander of the San Diego marine base Cock- Cock t were served Now it seems to be up to the navy authorities in ill Washington Washington Wash Wash- ington to decide whether or r not they deem it sufficiently serious to a high ranking officer for violating the national constitution constitution con- con by hy breaking the V law v at an official social affair r V V General Butler evidently believes not only in ip upholding the constitution of the country he is sworn to protect but to do his share to fo enforce it among officers under his comman command com corn man mand inand even to the extent of of preferring charges against an officer who as his host violated the law and the eighteenth amendment The public generally at large seems to take it for granted that official Washington winks at the dry laws of the nation Colonel Williams evidently didn't believe bone dryness existed at naval and military social functions or he surely would l have ave more seriously considered serving cock cock- kiis ails ils at an official party for General Butler V whose hose stand on prohibition enforcement was mado made particularly clear during his rule as chief of police in Philadelphia I The drys are getting a big kick out of General Butlers Butler's action in preferring charges against Colonel Williams for a wet p party in his honor while the wets perhaps look upon it as a social error But as long longas as asit it is unconstitutional to serve intoxicants tIe the public at large large will agree with th General Generall B Butler that high na naval al officers are not ot im immune im- im I roune mune and should be made to conduct themselves them them- s selves within the law no matter how painful them them-I l lit V it it may be Neither the law nor the constitution constitution ution contemplates official favors |