RACKETEER RULE

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1930, Page 6

RACKETEER RULE

IN UNITED STATES

(United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph-—Copyright.] '

WASHINGTON, November 25

In a statement President Hoover said:—“The report that 1 am proposing to Congress any extension of the Federal criminal laws to. cover racketeering (cabled on November 22nd) is untrue. Every single State has ample laws to cover such criminality. The Federal • Government is assisting the i local . authorities to overcome \ the 'hideous gangster and the corrupt control of some Governments; but I get no satisfaction from, the reflection that the only way in which this can be done is for tile Federal Government to : convict for failing to pay income taxes on the financial product of crime against the State laws. What we need is a more widespread public awakening to the failure of some of the local • Governments to protect their citizens from murder, racketeering, and other crimes, and their rallying to the support of those who make a courageous battle to clean up these places.” Particular point is given to the Prei-dent’s-statement by the fact that the California vineyardists ,who are supported, by Farm Board grants, are attempting to distribute grape juice concentrates, .which can he legally fermented within the home. These vineyardists have been threatened by the gangsters with death unless they pay a tribute, as they, are interferring with the bootleggers who are established in business.