The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1921-10-08
WOULD FIRE PA,
PIROHIB|TIONFORCE
agent Of Federal Commissioner
Charges Bribery.
WORST STATE IN UNION
Says Corruption is Common and Staff
From Mcconnell Down Should Be
Dismissed.

Philadelphia, Oct. S.-As the result
of a prohibition probe just completed,
it is recommended that the entire
Pennsylvania prohibition force, from
Director William G. Mcconnell down,
be fired, according to dispatches from
Washington.
Corruption in the enforcement OF
prohibition in Pennsylvania is alleged.
Federal Prohibition Commissioner
Haynes has ordered Il thorough investi-
cation, and is Withholding action con
corning the recommendations of dis
missal.
That such drastic action be taken
was urged by special agent who
made an investigation and found hush
money" freely offered for the proteC-
tion of persons selling rum.
In ordering Il rigid probe, Commits
sioner Haynes designated twelve in
sQectors to 90 into all parts of Penn
sylvania. Every phase of the situation
reported will be investigated
The special agent was sent into the
state three or four weeks ago as the
personal agent of MIR. Haynes, it was
stated at prohibition enforcement of
ices in Washington. The federal COM
LmisSioner sent personals agents into
many states, and reports of lax EN-
. f0rcement and graft and corruption
was said to be worse from Pennsylva-
nit than any other state.
i, The special agent reported to Mr.
| Haynes it was stated, that he went
all over the state and inquired es-
oecially into the granting of whole
sale druggists permits. Everywhere
ne went, the agent reported, he was
offered money. According to officials
In Washington, the agent reported
with requests that he smooth things
out in Washington so the permits
would 60 through.
Mr.. Haynes, however, decided to
make more thorough investigation
before taking summary action.
The twelve inspectors We're ordered
TO clean up the state before going
Dack and reporting. Should the ciiarg-
IS made by the personal agent of the
commissioner be subStantiattd. the
designation of Director Mcconnell I'M
1oubtedly will he demanded. it was
stated at the commissioners office.
The demand of the "dryS" hat hi
rector Mcconnell be discharged on the
ground that he is holding two offices
ut one time has been. turned over to
Attorney General Daugherty for an
opinion before anything is done. The
fact that Director Mcconnell has not
resigned from the Pennsylvania state
senate does not make him violate any
| federal law by holding the office of
prohibition director at the same time,
t was explained at Mr.. Haynes office,
5l Vt Mia 1as.s.. has been ash askea +e
decide whether the director is violating
the Pennsylvania law
Mr.. Mcconnell was in his office here
lin conference with Mr.. Loveland, who
is associate head or the permissive
division of the prohibition division in
Washington, who defended Mr.. McCon-
nefA emphatically and denied the report
that any general removal was cOntem-
plated
Il do not take these charges seri-
Dusly," said Mr.. Mcconnell. They
are ridiculous and not founded on fact.
l have received no official word from
Mr.. Haynes in respect to any such
investigation, and until l do l will
Take no official notice of rumors about
it. l was in Washington last Monday
for the express purpose of having Mr..
Haynes send his representative to this
district to review the work being done
/ here. w. H. P. Loveland is that rep
resentative."