The Great Commission

Last week the Commission called by President Hoover to study "all law" held three meetings in Washington. These things happened:

1) President Hoover, standing at the head of the Cabinet table and reading from notes, gave the Commissioners 301 words of advice and encouragement. The word "Prohibition" was not uttered.

2) Chairman Wickersham responded with more than 301 words. Again "Prohibition" was not uttered.

3) The Commissioners were photographed with the President on the White House posinground. The Hoover shoulder nudged close to the Wickersham shoulder, the Hoover cheeks puckered on the verge of a smile.

4) The Commission named itself: The National Commission on Law Observance and Enforcement.

5) The Commission divided into two groups, one to study causes of Crime; the other, its remedy.

6) Chairman Wickersham was asked: "Would it be possible ... for you to report . . . that national Prohibition is unenforceable?" He replied: "Yes, it is intellectually possible--[a smile]--but certainly improbable."

But while the Commission firmly turned its course away from Prohibition, the Wet and Dry letter-writers of the land turned eagerly toward it. At the Commission's offices at the Department of Justice arrived sack after sack of mail, bursting with suggestions as to how the Commission could best treat this subject.