The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-05-27
TRAIL Of BOOZE
LEADS THROUGH
MAZE Of GRAFT
Federal Government Not Only
Agency Investigating Lack
of Law Enforcement in
Memphis and Shelby County
GROUP OF CITIZENS
ARE SECURING PROOF
Monteverde, Quinn and Mason
Seem To Be After MiIIer's
Scalp-MiIIer Does Some
SIeuthing Himself.

SieutIllhg himself.
Following developments in the fed
oral government investigation of the
Illegal liquor traffic from outside points
into Memphis, which has already re-
suited in the dismissal from office of
Tyree Taylor, chief deputy to the Unit
Gu states marshal, S. II, Trezevant,
ana thorough Investigation by the
lederal grand jury now in session. it
mas become known that two, and pos
sloly three, other investigations have
been IN progress for more than a month.
one of these has been made by
small group of private citizens. whose
sole interest Is in good government and
tne enforcement Of the laws regardless
OF factional politics.
Another investigation, undertaken, it
is said. by Mayor Monteverde and Com
missioners Mason and Quinn. into the
city. police department, has been going
on Tor more than a month
Friends Of c. w Miller, head of the
ponce and fire departments, learning Of
TINS, proceeded to get busy and started
an investigation of their own, not only
OF conditions in the police department,
but OF the ramlfications of the illegal
whisky traffic wherever it might lead
including the general subject of lack Of
law enforcement in certain quarters.
Too Close to Home.
The mayor is said to have employed
former deputy sheriff, who was as
sisted by government agent, whose
Identity was not known except to two
or three men In Memphis.
The work Of these two men, who
poFssd directly ,a to the mayor and not
disclosed conditions which reflected not
so much upon the police department.
az p whole ~ upon some other men,
connected closely with the city admin
issratioi. but only one of whom held
any official connection with the city.
When this was reported by the ad-
n1inistration's agents immediate efforts
we're made. 1t is said, to have the in
vestigation halted along that line and
confined to members of the police force.
The investigation conducted by cer-
tain men, working in Commissioner
Mlllers interest, meanwhile, 1t is re-
ported, led up to the same trail, and
when concluded may result in blowing
off the official lid from several city
departments besides that Of the police.
City Elections Delayed.
Meanwhile the Investigations which
have been made by the citizens mem
toned has been made absolutely with
out regard to consequences or as to
who might be involved in the scan
dalous charges of bribery and graft
and of giving protection to law vio-
lators. So far as this latter investga-
tion has gone, proof has been secured
and is being prepared for submission
to the grand jury.
Should the investigation by the Unit
Y ed States department of justice, now
in progress, lead up to the same de-
fiant violators of the law, the evidence
in possession of these gentlemen may
be submitted to United States officers.
II 1t does not, it will later be sub
mitted to the state grand jury and the
encouragement
Meanwhile, it is not to be wondered
at that relations between the mayor
and Commissioner Miller are rather
strained and that police appointments
due months ago have been delayed and
that the police department Is in state
of complete disorganization.
Tribute Levied for Years.
That is was customary for the city
administration to collect $50 sometimes
twice monthly, sometimes monthly, for
the sale of liquor in 1917, was brought
out in the testimony of witnesses in
the case of Daniel Rocks, on trial in
federal court Tuesday on charge of
retailing liquor without the formality of
taking out a federal license. In the
case Oh lT1Hl however,, ltlt VI
fense is alleged to have occurred on the
Macon road not far from Cordova,
where the defendant conducted dairy.
Prior to his moving outside the city
limits, Rocks ran a soft drink stand
on Jackson avenue. Rocks himself,
others concurred in the statement that
II was customary to pay for protec-
tion in $50 hunks in March and subse-
quent months Of 1917. That was during
Mayor Ashcroft's administration. Rocks
stated that he paid the levy for selling
whisky but did not say to whom ii
was paid The form Of tribute then, as
told by Rutland on the stand. was for
the dealer to be arrested post $50
forfeit, and then not appear. A. B.
Galloway, attorney for the defense, con
tended that the defendant never had
q conviction against him for the opera
/tion of the business on jackson ave-
nue. and that he ran q dairy at his
place on the Macon road. Rocks posi-
lively denied he sold whisky to Jess
Low and Joe Callicut on Sunday, early
in July at his place, although both wit
nesses for the government Identified
him as the man from whom they pur-
chased two half pints in July, 1918, OF
the brand of juice known to the public
as Old Prentice.
Inquiry Speeded Up.
While federal court devoted most OF
Monday to liquor trials, the grand jury
speeded up its work apparently on cases
OF minor Importance the inference be-
ing that the decks are being cleared for
investigation Of the higher-ups In the
conduct OF. the liquor business in and
into Memphis.
At noon no indictments had been re-
ported although the inquistors have
been in almost constant session during
the daylight hours since their organiza-
tion just before adjournment for din
ner Monday noon. Rumors of the in
dictrnent Of several bootleggers of small
caliber are rife most of them being
cases bound over by George H. Poole
United States commissioner.
The atmosphere about the fedora
court Is tense. The corridors are filled
with policemen, ex-policemen, deputy
sheriffs, and ex-deputy sheriffs and
many whose names in the past have
either been directly or indirectly con-
nected with the liquor traffic or the
apprehension of those supposed to have
been connected Herewith.
Swords Of several Damocles--if there
be several of him--are said to be hang
ing over the heads Of some other off
GERS following the dismissal OF Tyree
Taylor, chief deputy In the office oi
8 H. Trczeyant, but so fan the threads