Show v y yI j I Punishment Inconsistencies j I 0 fr BALING out punishment to bootleggers bootleggers' is I DEALING one ne of the most s practices of th the d day d. y A first offender without pr proper per influence c ence t may get a fine or r jail term while white a another other liquor or dealer oT ol notorious fame can be arrested atTested and convicted numerous numerous- times yet escape escape prosecution under the habit habitual al violator S law lav Consequently it is gratifying to see Un United ted States District Judge Tillman D. D Johnson attempt attempt at tel tempt to toa to a avoid void the discriminations and blind unfair penalties that have characterized the handling of bootleg cases in several lower courts Get of the the liquor rings is Judge Johnsons Johnson's idea dea This week he refused refused refused re- re re re- fused to pass sentence on a man convicted under the Jones and 5 0 law until he lie could ascertain tain whether or no not the prisoner was vas ras ra's a large larg scale booze operator or merely a hired man taking the rap for his employer He declared that prohibition agents should make ever every effort to bring the heads of liquor rings into court After testimony was given that that convinced him that the offender before the bar was was a big scale rum runner Judge JoHnson Jonnson sentenced him to two and a half years c rs in the federal prison That was an exa example of how good judgment may be ap ap- d in the Jones law which otherwise might be used as an instrument of oppression The city court judges ne need ned d to study backover back backover over their actions in bootleggers' bootleggers cases ases Why are are some of the persistent t and flagrant violators violators vio yb- never punished with prison terms as habitual bootleggers while now and then some soine friendless woman or youth gets the full severity of the law Why are arc the cases of some notorious liquor dealers postponed again and again and their fines allowed to go uncollected tram irom month to m month nth The action of the courts in merely fining most bootleggers is in itself farcical its it's no no punishment at all aU and will vill never discourage lawlessness But the ineffectiveness of the penalties is not nearly a as harmful as the fa favoritism favoritism favoritism fa- fa that crops out Charges are frequently fre fre- fre- fre h hurled that cerf certain in liquor dealers and andrin rin rings s are immune to arrest because of the protection money they pay But the courts should houd be be absolutely free of partiality and the the- judges must be alert to see that every case is given equitable consideration |