A Judicial View

By a roundabout way came information of another important American's opinion of prohibition. In London was published a book, The Law of the Kinsmen, by Lord Shaw of Dunfermline, consisting of addresses made in this country and articles which appeared in England. The work has a preface by William Howard Taft, in which, among other things, the Chief Justice spoke of law enforcement in America, particularly with respect to prohibition.

The Chief Justice stated his belief that prohibition had come to stay, but characterized the effect of the law as " demoralizing" because it had added to the criminal classes "a group of well-to-do men and women, usually an element of strength in enforcing law."

Mr. Taft explained: "In the colder and calmer state of the public mind, the reform is found to be at variance with the habits of many of our people, especially in the large cities, and in the outset the law has become most difficult to enforce. . . .

" The most distressing symptom, however, is the attitude of some well-to-do and intelligent people who protest against the justice and wisdom of the law, and who treat with levity its violations when such violations serve to furnish them the wines and liquors they wish to have for their own enjoyment."