Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1921-10-13
WOULD FIRE PA.
PROHIBITION FORCE
Agent Of Federal Commissioner
Charges Bribery.
WORST STATE IN UNION
Says Corruption is Common and staff
From Mcconnell Down Should Be
Disn1iased

From Mcconnell Down Should Be
Dismissed.
Philaaelpha. - 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 fred, according to dispatches from
Washington
Corruption in the enforcement of
prohibition in Pennsylvania is alleged.
Federal Prohibition Commissioner
Haynes has ordered a 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-
ton of persons selling rum.
In ordering a rigid probe, Commits
sioner Haynes designated twelve in
spectors 10 go into all parts of Penn
sylyania, 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 Mr.. Haynes, 1t was
stated at prohibition enforcement Of
fees in Washington. The federal com
missioner sent personas agents into
many states, and reports of lax en-
forcement and graft and corruption
was said to be worse from Pennsylva-
MIA thansany other state.
The special agent reported to Mr..
Haynes. 1t was stated. that he went
All over the state and inquired es-
pecially into the granting of whole
sale druggists permits. Everywhere
he went, the agent reported, he was
offered money. According to officials
in Washington, the agent reported
money was thrust into his pockets,
with requests that he Smooth things
out" In Washington so the permits
would 60 through.
MIR. Haynes, however, decided 20
make more thorough investigation
before taking summary action.
The twelve inspectors were ordered
ito clean up the state before going
back and reporting. Should the charg
Is made by the personal agent OF the
commissioner be substant1ated, the
resignation k Director Mcconnell I'M
doubtedly viii he demanded. 1t was
stated at the c4mtas4nnl<s office
The deznand OF the "drysr that d.
rector McConnfal be discharged on the
ground that he 10 hnat1fng two Offices
at one time has been turned over to
Attorney General Danghegty for an
opinion before anything Is dome The
fact that Director McCoon1l 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,
1t was explained at Mr. Haynes office,
but Mr.. Daugherty has been asked to
decide whether the director is violating
the Pennsyiv mia law
Mr.. Mcconnell was In his office here
in conference with Mr.. LoveIand, who
is associate head OF the permissfve
division of the prohibition division In
Washington, who defended Mr.. Neon
nell emphatically and denied the report
that any general removal was contem-
plated.
II do not take these charges seri-
ously," said Mr.. McCo' hell. "They
are ridiculous and not founded on fact
/ have received no official word from
Mr.. Haynes in respect to any such
investigation, and until / do / will
take no official notice Of rumors about
it. I 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."