The Washington times., 1920-04-03
ARMY ON
PEACEFO0T|NC
Official Order Puts End to
"PIays for Notoriety" Among
Subordinate Officials.

The army of rum raiders" was re-
duced to a peace footing today. An
official order put a firm quietus on
spectacular plays for personal no.
toriety" among subordinate officials.
definite instructions. which permit
Of no evasion. also placed an effective
ban upon such tactics as have led to
clashes wtth State Officials ana
aroused bitter criticism. W
Prohibition officers in every dis
trict. through instructions dispatched
from Prohibition Commissioner Kram-
er's office today, were told In plain
English that local and State officials
have q paramount duty In their COM
munities in preserving law and or
der, and that only In cases were that
power Is shown to be inadequate shall
there be Federal Intervention by Fed
eral dry" agents. Emphasis is put
on the point that Federal dry" offi-
GERS are to Coordinate and supple
ment-not to supplant-the duly con-
stituted police and judicial officers of
the several States and their civil sub
divisions"
Confusion and Confiet.
Confusion and conflict in interpre-
tations on various phases Of dry law
enforcement also made necessary the
issuance Of an elaborately prepared
manual OF the new law, carefully an
notated for the guidance Of sub
ordinate officials. The manual was
sent out today. together with the new
instructions. designed to set more ac-
curately the limits within which dry
agents shall confne their activities.
They are Instructed to observe these
rules strictly. and are admonished to
deal in a spirit OF "co-operation?
with local officials, rather than In
open defiance Of the prerosatives of
such civil officers.
There are to be no more rum re-
bellions' and similar sporadic blood
less battles between local and Fed
eral officers, dry" law chiefs assert
ed. Instructions now being dis
tributed define duties Of dry agents
with such clearness that any over
stepping Of authority will meet with
severe rebuke from Washington, and
perhaps dismissal from public serv.
ice.
Having In mind the talkative tao
tics of dry enforcers In the Michigan
whiskey revolt, prohibition officers
have been virtually gagged" to pre-
vent possible complications with
state officers.
Venture No Opinions.
enforcement officers should be
careful not to venture opinions or to
perform official acts when in doubt
as to the proper Interpretation Of tho
law" the instructions read.
such questions should be promptly
submitted to their supervisory offi-
GERS, and through them to the bureau
In order that interpretations shall be
Uniform
Officials explained this removes
some of the abuse OF authority prev.
alent in some sections among over
jealous but misguided dry agents. In
other words, Washington hereafter is
to give the o. X. on any matters
hinging upon administrative policy.
This was done to render impossible
in future the employment OF offensive
methods in a too eager attempt to
correct local violations.
END "Grsnd stand, Plays.
Superior officers in dry enforce
ment are to be held to strict ac.
oountability" in carrying out the
washington order, designed to check
grand stand" plays by dry officers.
Here are the fatal words:
"It will be the policy OF the bureau
to keep In the closest possible touch
with the work OF all feld officers, and
to hold them to such a standard OF
personal and official conduct as will
reflect credit on the service and
build public confidence and sentiment
In favor of this enforcement work"