Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1921-07-11
LAYTON COMES HOME
TO REVIEW FIELD OF
FEDERAL PATRONAGE
Fight Over State Prohibition Di-
rector Apparently Not to
His Liking.
ELLIOTT TO HAVE PLACE

Special Dispatch From Every Evenings
Washington Correspondent
Washington, July 11.-Representa-
tive Caleb X. Layton went 10 his nome
at Georgetown Saturday night on an
important mission which may Keep
him in Delaware several days. 1t may
be only surmised what he hopes to
accomplish while in the State con-
ferring with various conspicuous
characters, more or less prominent in
public affairs, but most people will
guess that he intends to consult the
county committeeman and other
party leaders on the matter of FEEDER
al patronage distribution.
While it has been agreed that
Robert 3. Elliott of Seaford is TO be
put forward in the place OF Roy
Bennett and endorsed for prohibition
director for the State OF Delaware,
Representative Layton will probably
tell YOU that there is grave doubt -
to Elliott's appointment. because OF
his reluctance to take the job. The
fractional fight on applicants recon-
mended by the county committeeman
has greatly complicated the situation
in the State and embarrassed both
Senator Ball and Representative
Layton. 1t is not very easy for the
Senator and the Congressman to
agree anyway. and the objections in
terposed at every turn make har-
monious agreement more difficult
problem.
CONGRESSMAN Layton's friends say
he has not been treated fairly in the
matter OF patronage apportionment,
and that he resents very bitterly the
fight that was made on Roy Bennett,
claiming, as ne does, that Bennett
stands as well as any man in the
State that he is efficient, capable
and worthy, and that objection to him
was based on factionalism and not
on any shortcomings in the record Of
the applicant.
The Layton adherents here say
that no trouble arose in the matter
Of appointments until the most inn
portant allotment of the Congress
mans was presented for settlement
1t was then that somebody picked a
flaw in the record OF the man inaors-
ed by the Sussex county committee
men. and he was forced 10 retire from
the contest and allow another man 10
he {, nsidered. Ii is understood that
no objection is offere.! 20 Elliott and
that the way is clear for his appoint
ment.
Senator Bail. who has Just return
ed from a trip home declined To say
anything about Elliott's prospective
appointment as prohibition director
except that an agreement had been
reached and that Elliott had been of
fered the place.
If Elliott agrees 10 accept the ap-
ipoirtment il is practically certain he
will be the man, as the county com
Initteemen have recommended him.
and both Representative Layton and
Senator Ball viii join in asking that
he be appointed.
Anti-Saloon League Influence.
In a number Of instances the Anti
Saloon League has prevented the ap-
pointrnent of prohibition directors.
They did il in Tennessee, forcing a
more accepta bic man 10 be offered
for the place They are making a
fight on the applicant agreed on BY
the Republican organization Of North
Carolina The superintendent Of the
North Carolina Anti-Saioon League
his notified officials here that MS or
sanization viii not submit 10 the ap-
pointnent of a man who is an enemy
to prohibition and Law enforcement.
Nobody seems 10 know how he voted
%on prohibition, said the superin-
fendent of the league in protesting
1ha Tar Heels appointment, and all
with whom ! have talked, Republi-
cans and Democrats. are agreed that
he is not the man for the job. am
satisfied he is not. and that his ap-
r,ointuent would hurt the enforce
ment of the law and encourage the
liquor dealers
II is now agreed that the Tar Heel
Republican orga MIA ton will have 10
1rot out another horse. as the first
one agreed upon has been laid TO rest
by the blighting curse Of the Anti
Saloon League.
This is what IFS going to happen 10
any man pun forward for prohibition
director who has bieTnish on him
his record must show that ne is for
prohibition and that ne is a law-abid
ing citizen who may be relied on 10
enforce the law when charged with
such duty.