The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1920-09-24
WRANGLES MARK
PROHIBITION MEET
BITTER EXCHANGES HEARD IN
CONGRESS AGAINST ALCO-
HOLISM-NEW YORK CON-
MISSION OF PUBLIC WELFARE
ATTACKS ANTI-SALOON LEA
CUE LEADER AND ENFORCE
MENT OFFICIALS IN METRO
POLLS YESTERDAY.

Washington, Sept. 23-Prohibition
enforcement officials, the New York
branch of the Anti-Saloon league and
it's superintendent, William H. Ander-
son, shared alike a vitriolic attack
made today by Bird S. Color, New
York commissioner of public welfare,
in a speech before the International
Congress Against Alcoholism.
Mr.. Coler's prepared address, al
though censored by officials of the
congress to eliminate personalities
charged "open violation" Of prohib!-
tion laws and accused Mr.. Anderson
attempting to incite race and religi-
Gus hatred.
Prohibition Commissioner Kramer,
also on the program, answered the at
tack on his bureau personally and Mr.
Anderson, who was absent, replied in
a formal statement in which he ac-
cused Mr.. Coler of injecting "Tam-
many politics" into an international
meeting.
Censors Get Busy.
Mr.. Coler explained as preface to
his speech that when he reached the
hall where the sessions of the con-
gress are being held that he was in
formed by Chairman Dinwiddie that
he would not be permitted to deal
with personalities but that the re-
mainder of the speech should be de-
livered. Launching in his speech, Mr.
Coler delivered a bitter attack on the
mass of dry workers, particularly
those associated with the Anti-Sa-
loon league saying they were "buck
passers" and had not forced the can
6idates of either of the major parties
to take a definite stand as to reten-
ton and enforcement of the prohibi-
ton laws. AS for federal enforcement
of prohibition the speaker demanded
that something be done right now"
There was no reason for quibbling,
he added, because Everybody knows
liquor can be bought at most places
and at most any time if you've got
the right look in your eyes"
eff the prohibition enforcement Of
fcials don't take hold of this situation
quickly" Mr.. Coler continued,
-'there1l be a worse scandal when this
administration goes out than there
was in the old whiskey ring rs years
ago. I'm tired of going after the poor
little devil. I want the enforcement
corps to get somebody that counts $
even among their own numbers in the
very heart of the government.
81 could give you mary names
right now myself but they .(those
named) would know before I left this
platform that they woc;i bs sought
the leaks are just that close here
- Tie government.
Accuse. High Officials.
"The prohibition cornmiss' oner, #
ne wanted to, could take one or two
men and could round up senators
governors, federal officials and score.
of others for violation of the liquo
laws. New York could &c cleaned up
in 60 days. But the department Of
Justice and Mr.. Krame-s bureau and
the other government departments
nave got to work togetner. AS it is,
everybody ducked. The Anti Saloon
league has ducked. Even Cox and
Harding have ducked-except when
,neckIed and that's not satisfactory
wsy to get assurances
Replying to Mr.. Coler charges OF
violation of the prohibition laws, Mr..
Kramer said that "to a considerable
extent" they were true but he in
sisted the New York commissioner
should provide "bill Of particulars
IN order that the small force of the
bureau might know where to go IN
the trail of the bootleggers. He told
tie congress he was doing his "levcl
best" to enforce the laws and eX,
planned that his force numbered only
1000, adding "think of that number
policing 11O,OOO,oOo people for that
IS what it is policing"