New-York tribune., 1920-09-16
washington Officials Say
Transfer Is Made i'm
ssInterest of Service'': :
Brooklyn Row Recalled
Frank L. Boyd,
Successor, Here
Action Surprises Shevlin;
Praises Work of Staff ;
Saws Violations Are Few

James Shevlin, supervising prohibi-
zion enforcement agent in this district,
was transferred yesterday to the South
western department, which includes
Tsxas, New Mexico, Arizona and Okla
homa. His headquarters will be in El
paso, Tex.
&. Frank L. Boyd, head of the field audit
division Of the Internal Revenue De-
paytment, arrived yesterday from
Washington to take Mr.. Shevlin's place.
The changes, authorities at Washing
ton say, are in the interest Of the serv-
ice.
News Of Mr.. Shevlin's transfer was
unexpected at prohibition headquarters
here. 1t was said yesterday that Mr..
E Shevlin had no suspicion that he was
about to be transferred and knew moth
ing of it until, on his return from Buff
ialo yesterday morning, he found q let
ter from Commissioner of Internal
Revenue Williams directing the change.
Those associated with prohibition af-
fairs in Brooklyn referred to Mr.. Shev-
Inns clashes with Federal officials in
the borough. They recalled the closing
of the Brooklyn prohibition Office by
Mr. Shevlin and the protest which was
made to Washington, followed by the
reopening of the Brooklyn Office. A
general shake-up Of the service is ex-
pected in Brooklyn prohibition circles.
Shevlin Goes to Washington
Dir. Shevlin said the new job would
be 3 change and that he would have
plenty OF room in which to work. He
vent to Washington last night for in
structions and to get a ten-day leave
He had been in charge of the New
York Office since it was inaugurated
last January. Since then 5000 arrests
have been made and $4,000 gallons Of
liquor confscated. There have been
e,5eo convictions, with penalties
amounting to $2,500,000.
MIR. Sheylin said that conditions in
= New York State were not so black as
they were painted. He said that the
liquor traffic across the Canadian
border was becoming ever more diff
cult for the bootleggers. II have just
completed trip through the state" he
said, "and have found that while there
is some selling in Buffalo, it is done
In most guarded manner. Syracuse
IS as clean as any city in the United
States. Albany and the vicinity are in
good shape"
In his new position Mr.. Shevlin re-
places David Gates. He will have the
Mexican border to watch.
Boyd Comes From Kentucky
Mr.. Boyd, the new enforcement Of
hesr, comes from Kentucky. He has
oeen in the Internal Revenue service
twenty-five years. Most OF mis- work has
had to do with taxes. He said that this
was the first real prohl lbition enforce
ment work he had been in charge Of
he did some work in Pittsburgh and
Louisville.
The new dry agent passed his first
Gay becoming acquainted with his job,
meeting members of his staff and get
ting the lay of the land. He said he
had no new and startling policy for
wrnging the city dry, and would plod
along the same path as Mr. Shevlin for
she present. When asked if the force
mere was going to be enlarged or if he
said mo"
Mr.. Boyd realizes that it is no simple
task to make New York bone dry.
Hes up against no cinch when he
taekles this city, I'm telling YOU" said
aprohlbition agent. Hes not in Louis
VILE now. II he doesn't know it al
ready. he will soon"
As far as the order transferring Mr..
shev!in was concerned, old workers in
tne revenue department thought little
OF 1t. II was quite customary, they
sad. to be transferred, as the depart
ment was mobile force and they
agreed when they took their posts to
60 wherever they were sent.
There was no doubt, however, in the
minds of those in touch with prohibi-
s'on matters that Mr.. Boyd had been
sent here to put on the lid, and sit
On it,"
On Monday prohibition headquarters
Will move from 4he Custom House to
avsnty-seventh Street and Broadway