The New York herald., 1921-05-27
ANDERSON PENS HIS
DISSENT TO HARDING
Doesn't Wish Certain In
named Columbus Knight
to Get Dry Job.
Is FRIEND OF SHEVLIN
Also Is Municipal Court
Justice and Lives in
Queens County.
LARKIN RESENTS ACTION
Disclaims Knowing Identity
of Proposed Enforcement
Agent for State.
Is FRIEND OF SHEVLIN
LARKIN RESENTS ACTION

William H. Anderson carried directly
TO President Harding last night the
fight of the State Anti-Saloon League
to prevent the naming as supervising
prohibition enforcement agent in this
State of man who is bosom friend
and fellow member of the same local
knights of Columbus organization as
q former agent, under whose admin
istration Federal enforcement was
scandal in New York city and State
Mr.. Anderson and others connected
with the Anti-Saloon League refused
again yesterday to name the man
against whom their drive is concen-
trated, but when pressed TO identify
the man holding judicial position in
New York city" who, the league main
tains, is close TO getting the job. Mr..
Anderson said:
The position sought is the one once
occupied by James S. Shevlin. whose
former home wa in Hollis, which is in
Queens county. The man to succeed
in this Job has been promised to
date is a Municipal Court Justice who
still has some years to serve
Although he refused to name this JUS
tice Mr.. Anderson said he felt sure the
name eventually would become public
but nowhere in political circles last
night could even the slightest intima-
tion regarding the identity of the candi-
date be obtained. Mr.. Anderson con-
tented himself with giving out copies of
a letter that had been forwarded on the
subject TO President Harding. This letter
said:
1--WE request. since the enforcement of
Federal prohibition in New York city
has been a notorious scandal and Is now
far below State enforcement in eff
cheney, even in the city of New York.
that special care be exercised In the
appointment of the supervising prohibi-
tinn agent In charge of that work in
New York State.
1--WE desire to call your attention to
the fact that the most notable record for
efficiency, aggressiveness and conscien-
tiousness in the enforcement of the ma
tionai prohibition law in the entire State
Is being made by Leroy w. Ross, Fed
eral District Attorney in Brooklyn. The
public interests will be best served by
permitting Mr. Ross to serve out his full
term If he is willing to do so. His in
tellieent, fearless stand in this centre of
notification propaganda Is raising the
standard of Federal enforcement
throughout the nation and he 10 a ma
tional asset"
William p. Larlsin, Supreme Director
of the Knights of Columbus, in a state
Inent issued last night denounced the
resolution OF the board of trustees OF the
Anti-Saloon League which said there
was a movement on foot TO name as
supervising enforcement agent men,
Der of his organization.
The attempt TO drag In the name OF
the Knights of Columbus appears to be
characteristic Of the methods of certain
self-appointed reformers," Mr.. Larkin
said "Mr. Anderson and some Of his
associates gaining the easy bread of paid
reformers do not hesitate to project re-
ligion into any argument that is no,
otherwise interesting.
IF the Government sees fit TO select
as its officers citizens who are members
OF the knights of Columbus that Is the
Governments affair. All good citizens
are coming to hope for the rigid enforce
ment of prohibition II only to rid New
York of the noisy Anu-Saloon League"
A despatch from Washington says that
Treasury officials state no recommenda-
OF an agent to succeed Mr. Langley
whose work thus far has been salts
factory to the Washington authorities.
Harold l.. Hart. "a lawyer OF Bing-
hamton. N Y. came to this city yester-
day and succeeded Charles r. O'Connor.
who has been Federal Prohibition d.
rector for the State of New York since
March 1. 1920. The new director Is a
graduate OF Cornell University and Cor
ner1 Law School. where he played foot
ball on the varsity team for three years.
Mr.. O'Connor will take much needed
rest and then will reenter private law
practice at his home In Hobart, where
he is active in the Democratic party.
The office TO which Mr.. Hart succeeds
has nothing 10 do with gathering evil
dence and making arrests OF Volstead
act violators. but has full power over
the issuance of permits TO manufacture,
transport and sell liquor for none other
f.Nv.